Beverage Basics: Understanding and Appreciating Wine, Beer, and Spirits

Beverage Basics presents a new approach to understanding wine and other alcoholic beverages. The book includes an introduction to alcoholic beverages, information on important issues such as purchasing beverages, healthy drinking, and alcohol and the law, and an introduction to wine including viticulture, viniculture, and the sensory evaluation of wine. The authors teach readers about wines by varietal as opposed to appellation, which is a much simpler entry point for beginners to the world of wine. In addition to all the major wine varietals (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, etc.), the book also covers hybrid and Native American varieties, sparkling wines, and dessert and fortified wines. Chapters on beer and distilled spirits include information on making, purchasing, and evaluating beer and spirits. The appendices include map-filled sections on The Old World and The New World of wine, as well as a thorough examination of the TTB requirements for alcoholic beverage labels, and a complete glossary of terms. Author Robert Small is former Dean and Emeritus Professor of The Collins College of Hospitality Management at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where he still teaches courses on wine, spirits, and beer and on beverage marketing and food and beverage management, and is the Chairman of the Los Angeles International Wine competition, one of the largest and most prestigious wine competitions in the United States.

Robert W. Small is former dean and emeritus professor of The Collins College of Hospitality Management at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where he still teaches courses on wine, beer, and spirits, as well as beverage marketing and food and beverage management. He is also the Chairman of the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition, one of the largest and most prestigious wine competitions in the United States, and is a judge at several other international wine competitions.

Michelle Couturier has traveled internationally researching wine and photographing vineyards and wineries. She has 20 years of experience in marketing, public relations, and writing.

Michael Godfrey, Associate Dean of The Collins College of Hospitality Management at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, has taught the college's courses on beer for several years and has been a well-regarded home brewer for more than 25 years.