Pros: Articles covering the total gourmet spectrum.
Cons: Very large magazine -it's designed for table top display.
The Bottom Line: Much was learned reading this magazine. I would recommend it for anyone wanting to know more about wines and the related gourmet items.
Mrsfitts's Full Review: Wine Spectator Magazine Subscription
A little known fact is that once your kids are all out of the house, two mature adults tend to party like they were teenagers again! No more kids waiting up until you get home and questioning you about your date. No more guilty looks about "You could have at least called if you were going to be late" We are finally free!
Twenty five years ago Ripple and Boone's Farm were our wine choices. During the child raising years I liked White Zinfandel. During the hot summer months I could drink a chablis -if it were mixed in a tall glass of lemonade! We've (hopefully) matured a bit since then, and we wanted our tastes in wines to reflect that. It's time to do some research!
The first method of research was to go to the grocery stores and buy different kinds of wine -whatever they had on sale. This turned out to be a pretty hit and miss method.
Next we tried the local Arts and Wines fairs held here. There were some very interesting flavors there, but not enough information. We moved on to books and magazines.
One of the magazines we started to purchase is called Wine Spectator. What I like best about this magazine is that it's a full spectrum magazine. Not only having information on the latest and greatest in wines, but covering the whole culinary experience.
Located in the roughly 150 pages is information on the latest for your kitchen.
Cover Story
In the June 30th issue there was an in-depth look at Bordeaux 2000. In the July 31st issue they will cover New World Chardonnay. Besides the main cover story, there are articles related to the main theme listed under the cover story category.
Features
Here you'll find tasting reports, dining information and global interest stories.
Departments
This is my favorite section. I may not be a wine expert, but I do love drooling over the latest and greatest for the kitchen. This section covers gourmet knives, California's energy crisis -and how it will affect wine growing, and letters from readers.
The Buying Guide
Here's where the magazine helps a beginner learn about "Good" wines. On the second of the 25 pages of Top Picks and Best Buys there is an About the Buying Guide box. This section explains who is involved in the magazine, how the tastings are done, what the categories mean, how they came up with prices and selections, and most importantly, About The 100-Point Scale.
I have seen this scale frequently, but did not know it's significance (I'm still learning).
95-100 Classic: a great wine
90-94 Outstanding: a wine of superior character and style
85-89 Very Good: a wine with special qualities
80-84 Good: a solid, well-made wine
70-79 Average: a drinkable wine that may have minor flaws
60-69 Below Average: drinkable but not recommended.
50-59 Poor: undrinkable: not recommended
I wonder where the Ripple of my youth would be rated? Or do they even rate Boone's Farm and others of that genre?
Conclusion
We still have years of research to do. We now have a wine rack, but not a wine refrigerator. I can definitely see a wine cellar in our retirement home. This magazine has many helpful tips not only for the connoisseur, but for the person wanting to learn about fine wines too.
You can check out the magazine that featured Emeril and Hawaii and Great California Cabernets at:
www.winespectator.com
Wine Spectator magazine features fine dinning, wineries, wine producers and all things wine. Find restaurant reviews, cooking and entertaining feature...More at Magazines.com
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