Wine An Introduction for Americans

Wine: An Introduction for Americans by M. A. Amerine and V. L. Singleton brings clarity and authority to a subject too often obscured by romance, mysticism, or narrow focus. While countless books promise to guide the novice drinker, many either entertain without informing, intimidate with arbitrary rules, or drown the reader in technical detail. Amerine and Singleton—two of the most respected figures in American enology—set out to provide what had long been missing: a comprehensive, factual, and accessible introduction to wine written from an American perspective. Their aim is not to prescribe rigid dogma but to explain principles, correct misconceptions, and open the world of wine to informed enjoyment.

With particular attention to U.S. production practices and California’s central role—responsible for nearly 90 percent of American wine—this book situates American readers within their own marketplace while also surveying the global traditions that give wine its richness. Technical explanations are balanced with cultural context, enabling readers to understand not only how wine is made but also how it is used and appreciated. The authors emphasize facts where available and considered judgments where necessary, while offering carefully selected references for those who wish to explore further. Wine: An Introduction for Americans remains a landmark text: a clear, reliable, and inviting guide that demystifies wine and empowers readers to approach the subject with both confidence and curiosity.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1965.