Had it not been for a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, I might have passed on reading it. To be honest, I was guilty of judging this book by its cover, as it suggested an approach to wine that seemed far afield from the one I follow.

Boy, am I glad to have accepted this book to read and review, for I was completely wrong about the approach Natalie MacLean takes with her subject. Red, White, and Drunk All Over: A Wine Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass is an enlightening, entertaining, and inspiring read, comprised of her personal stories meeting people and visiting places behind the vast world of wine.

MacLean's book is organized around ten chapters that take you along with her as she visits Burgundy and Champagne for the first time, experiences the crush of harvest in California, expounds on the trials and tribulations of wine writing, hosts a wine tasting event at home with friends, works in a couple of wine stores, goes undercover as a sommelier, explores the world of Riedel glassware, and concludes with the celebration of a meal with a good friend.

It is amazing the level of detail MacLean provides in the recounting of her experiences. I honestly felt as if I were standing next to her at times when she was describing the people she encountered and the places she visited. Even better, this book goes beyond the present, offering useful historical and cultural frames of reference that will help connect many of us to the wines we enjoy. As a result of reading this book, I came to understand the larger context surrounding wine's beginnings as well as its evolution through centuries of time to its current state.

Best of all, I found this book transformative. MacLean not only shares insights into her experiences with wine, but more importantly its lasting affect and impact on her life. I was only seven pages into the introduction when I was struck by an intellectual and emotional honesty not found amongst other wine writers:

But I have to confess, much as I'm drawn to its nuances, I wouldn't be writing about wine if it weren't for the buzz. I love the way a glass of wine makes me feel--invigorated and animated, released from my natural shyness. After a couple of glasses, I'm mellow, soothed, contemplative...I'm sure other wine writers feel the same way; and yet when I read about wine, I often get the odd impression that is has no alcohol in it. Perhaps this unnecessary seriousness about wine is a hangover from Prohibition; or maybe it's because we think that the body can't be part of anything intellectual."

MacLean imparts a fresh perspective on wine that many of us have been thirsty for, but until now were resigned to the fact that most wine writing was so dry it left us even thirstier than before. Through her lyrical prose, she helps explain why wine is elevated to such a level not found in other beverages or foods that grace our table at meal time. I found it fitting that she would close this book with the following statement, which puts everything that I enjoy and experience in wine into a proper context:

...all of us who love alcoholic grape juice, are on a parallel search for wine that tells us where it's from, who made it, and even who we are in drinking it. Fortunately, finding these wines is a journey that lasts a lifetime.

Having read Red, White, and Drunk All Over, I am so much better off, not just as wine enthusiast who happens to blog about this topic, but more importantly as a person who is striving to understand the larger context of my existence. I strongly recommend this book to every wine enthusiast, whether you are new to wine or have spent decades pursuing this wonderful beverage. It is a timeless book that I intend to read and refer to again and again in the years ahead.