But I can’t imagine working on a writing project for a decade. I generally put my head down and do what’s necessary to finish what I start. I’m pretty steadfast when it comes to muscling through a project. When I spoke with Karen about the new edition she told me in passing that the first edition took her just over 10 years to write. The odds are very high that any brave soul studying for the WSET, the Master Somm test, or the Master of Wine exam has had Karen’s book open on their table within arm’s reach for most of their studies. As far as I can tell, “The Wine Bible” has never fallen outside Amazon’s top 20 list of wine books and has been at the top of that list for most of the past 20 years. The book, which comes in at nearly 800 pages, has, in previous editions, sold nearly a million copies. This new third edition hit the shelves earlier this month.

MacNeil’s “The Wine Bible” was first published in 2001. I say this by way of noting that the third edition of this essential classic has just been released. The Wine Bible is a comprehensive, accurate, painstakingly re-researched source for all people interested in wine, that inspires and educates through the passion of Karen MacNeil.If you wanted to make a list of the Top 3 Most Influential Wine Books, that list would be illegitimate without the inclusion of Karen MacNeil’s “Wine Bible”. In her friendly, conversational tone, that made her first edition so popular, she answers questions like 'Are Women Better Wine Tasters than Men?' and explains 'The Myth of Cabernet and Chocolate'. She write about the classic regions (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Tuscany) and also the newer regions in China, Japan, Mexico, and Slovenia. She goes on to explore the wine regions of each wine-producing country-including sections on the vineyards, grapes, history and culture, foods, wineries and flavours and characteristics of wine regions.

Like the first edition, MacNeil opens with a chapter on 'Mastering Wine,' including sections on What Makes Wine Wine, How to Taste Like a Professional, and What Are the 10 Important Questions Every Wine Drinker Asks (with their answers). And Karen MacNeil's revised second edition of The Wine Bible is the indispensable guide for novices, experts, and everyone in-between.

The wine bible 2nd edition