Maybe I was hoping for something different, but in general this is not a book of depth. Each 2-4 page essay is well-written in a literary, yet unpretentious style. If you're looking for a wine book to read in 5 minute spurts, this is it. But you don't get much more than a few names, descriptors or anecdotes with each section. It's a shallow if entertaining approach.
Probably more to the point is that a significant proportion of the book is devoted to famous "name" wines. If you're reading in the hope of learning about something new to try, the author's vignettes on great Bordeaux vintages aren't of much use. This sort of wine writing is anachronistic as these are collector's wines for those with great wealth. Contemporary wine writing is best when focused on regions, styles or producers that are generally available.
Thus, I think the author spends too much time fawning over the unattainable--which required the help of wealthy friends for him to experience in the first place. The sections discussing more obscure wines are far more useful to the curious reader, and fortunately this is most of the book.Get more detail about A Hedonist in the Cellar: Adventures in Wine (Vintage).
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