WineSense: The Three Keys To Understanding Wine

Wine is a muse for poets and ordinary folks alike, a great seducer and lifelong friend to many. It's integral to some of the finest cultures on earth. But as simple and lovely as wine may be, the wine world can be intimidating. Many so-called experts perpetuate an elitist approach to wine, with their explanations so jargon-filled that the wine gets lost in the analysis.

WineSense cuts through the jargon and complexities wine can present. In this common-sense guide, Bob Desautels offers straightforward information on types of wine, tasting, wine history, grape varieties, approaches to winemaking, and more.

His Three Keys to Understanding Wine allow the everyday wine enthusiast and the beginner to truly grasp the subject while increasing their appreciation of wine.

The ultimate purpose of this book is to teach you how to find good and consistent styles of wine that suit your palate. You'll be able to look beyond the safe choices and search for local wines that have the best qualities of your international favourites.

With a deeper understanding of wine, you'll gain true WineSense, offering you a newfound confidence in choosing the right wine for the right time.

Bob Desautels describes himself as a wine enthusiast who is "more gourmand than gourmet in foods and wines." Bob's formal education includes a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Arts in Philosophy. At the University of Guelph in Ontario, he taught for ten years in the School of Hotel & Food Administration's Bachelor of Commerce program. Although he taught eight different courses at the university, his favourite was the wine course. One year he took a group of students to Europe to learn about the vineyards and wineries of Germany and France. Bob often gives talks on wine and has taken numerous trips to Ontario's wine region with small and large groups.

Bob is also a successful restaurateur. He opened one of Canada's first wine bars in 1985. Recently, the Ontario Hostelry Institute named him Restaurateur of the Year. As president of a hospitality business, The Neighbourhood Group of Companies, he oversees restaurants along with the Group's signature "Wines from the 'Hood" and "Taste of Ontario" food products. Bob has been a champion of locally crafted foods and beverages since 1990. He is also a leader in sustainable business practices; his company won a national Green Leadership Award in 2013.

Note: to learn about Bob's restaurants go to www.neighbourhoodgroup.com