The first thing I noticed when I started reading this book is that it’s poorly written. I’ll provide some examples. There is a chapter in the beginning for making your first gallon of wine. The author starts with a list of equipment and then goes into instruction. She forgets to mention that you need 2 jugs, she gives you simple to follow steps but never clarifies why you need to do it. One part she tangents off of her destilled instruction to give you detailed syphoning (racking) instructions. Even the technique she gives you is horrible. She tells you to sanitize your mouth with alcohol and suck the wine to then of the tube then quickly stick in the jug. Gimme a break! If she wanted to offer a excellent technique there are plenty of better ones like an auto-syphon for $10 or to cap the jug and blow through a seperate hose.

Her poor writing style continues where she speaks goes off on other tangents about her husband, then suddenly starts using his name but never links the two things.

In later chapters she refers back to things she justified in the beginning like using PA (potential alcohol) instead of SG (specific gravity) readings. If you really go back she doesn’t ever offer a excellent explanation as to why.

Some of her instructions are just dumb. As I stated she tells you not to use gravity reading on a hydrometer because you don’t need it. She says to use PA. The she gives you methods for adjusting your reading for temperature by using SG. Huh!? Her rationale is that the only way to adjust the reading is by using SG then re-converting. This is idiotic. Both scales are completely linear. Even the adjustments she gives you are incorrect. She says add .9 instead of .009. This is fine for us experienced brewers and wine makers but this is in the beginners chapter of her book. Someone could be very confused by this.

Lastly the book seems to completely wrip off the title, format, etc… of Charlie Papazian’s book but is nothing like it. It leaves critical steps out, never gets passed being a beginners book, barely touches on grape wine making and is generally a poor instructional guide to wine making.

Charlie has a motto in his book, “relax, have a homebrew”. She tries to offer a couple of her own but they’re obviously just poor ripoffs from his.

Her index is missing several terms she uses frequently such as “PA”.

In summary you can learn everything this book has to offer by reading online “how to” articles. I suggest then going to some wine making forums and meeting people. Either that or find a better book.
Rating: 2 / 5

The book is written with the beginner in mind (myself included), with a fantastic sense of humor and includes really excellent tips and many recipes to choose from. I only wish that I made more than one gallon of the Rasberry Wine, but. I feel more adventurous and willing to experiment now that my first batch turned out after nearly 6 months. In small, I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to start wine making as an enjoyable leisure activity without breaking the bank.
Rating: 5 / 5

Shipping was quick. This was a fantastic buy!
Rating: 5 / 5