Tim Gaiser is an internationally renowned wine expert, educator, and blogger, and one of less than 300 individuals worldwide to ever attain the Master Sommelier title. He is the former Director of Education and Education chair for the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas.
Unlock the secrets of professional wine tasting with Master Sommelier Tim Gaiser, an industry expert with over three decades of experience with teaching thousands of students at every level. Whether you’re a student preparing for a certification exam, an industry veteran looking to improve your tasting, or a consumer just getting into wine, Message in the Bottle: A Guide to Tasting Wine is an invaluable resource.
The book offers practical how-to instructions with detailed explanations for a comprehensive and easy-to-read experience. Here’s some of what you’ll discover inside:
- Tips for selecting the glassware, setting up your tastings, and the best techniques for smelling and tasting wine
- An in-depth explanation of the deductive tasting grid and method
- Detailed descriptions of classic white and red varietal wines
- How to consistently and accurately assess the structural elements in wine
- Approaches to using pattern recognition in blind tasting
- Instructions for writing thorough and effective tasting notes and tech sheets
- A list of producers for tasting practice
- Methods for tasting exam preparation
- Strategies for improving focus, concentration, and smell and taste memory
Message in the Bottle: A Guide to Tasting Wine is an indispensable reference for any professional, student, or consumer.
EXCELLENT
20 reviews on
Maximilian
2023-03-09
Message in the Bottle: A Guide for Tasting Wine: Phenomenal Resource To Become A Better Taster
This is one of the very best books I have read regarding the art and science of professional wine tasting and blind tasting. I would put it up there with Michael Broadbent's "Wine Tasting", Emile Peynaud's "The Taste of Wine" and Jancis Robinson's "How to Taste." Tim's writing is captivating, achieved through a great mastery and passion for the subject matter, the compassion of a great teacher and mentor, and a sense of humor that keeps us wine geeks grounded and not endlessly floating in the ephemera of wine speak. Tim is well versed in performance and education, this comes out in the book, and can be valuable to the casual wine lover who is a high achiever in other fields and crafts. Bravo!
beth
2023-03-03
Message in the Bottle: A Guide for Tasting Wine: But it!
As a sommelier coming up through the ranks - I would have loved this book. He is the best teacher for tasting, hands down and to have his wisdom distilled into a book is amazing.
HV History buff
2023-03-03
Message in the Bottle: A Guide for Tasting Wine: Great resource!
I loved this book -- I plan to keep it on my desk as a resource. It packs a lot of information into a relatively small package -- tomes are great too, but this is a lot more practical.
eugenio jardim
2023-03-01
Message in the Bottle: A Guide for Tasting Wine: The ultimate wine tasting guide for novices and wine professionals
Tim Gaiser made it easy for all who desire to learn or sharpen their wine-tasting skills.He laid it out so clearly the path to be followed and all the distractions to be aware of and while tasting wines and so much more. The "message" is indeed in the bottle if one takes the time to see, smell, feel, and taste. How I wish this book was published when I was starting my now 20-plus years career in the wine business! I count myself among the lucky ones who have learned, presented, and collaborated with this incredible Master Sommelier through the years. This book is a MUST!!
John Blazon
2023-02-23
Message in the Bottle: A Guide for Tasting Wine: Comprehensive Cliff Notes to Mastering Blind Tasting
Tim has captured everything for learning the essentials for “how to break down what’s in the glass” with logic . This book reveals a refreshing guide for basics in keeping it simple to more advanced techniques for those continuing to advance their journey and discovery within the world of wine. Delightful read for all levels !
Irma Parone
2023-02-16
Message in the Bottle: A Guide for Tasting Wine: What a GREAT book!
Seriously, a must-read for anyone that indulges in the joy of wine. Well done!
Dawn Dooley
2023-02-09
Message in the Bottle: A Guide for Tasting Wine: The ultimate reference guide for wine tasting.
For wine industry professionals and aspiring oenophiles, Tim Gaiser’s Message in a Bottle is the ultimate reference guide for wine tasting. Step by step, Tim guides the reader through the deductive tasting process. Understanding what to look for in the wine’s appearance, what to expect in the aromatics and how to explore the taste, mouthfeel and lingering complexity of the wine on your palate. Tim has identified the classic aromatic and flavor markers of more than fifty white and red grape varieties, making it a fantastic reference to familiarize yourself with wines and regions the world over. A new, invaluable tool in my tasting arsenal.
Anne Janzer
2023-02-02
Message in the Bottle: A Guide for Tasting Wine: A wonderful, approachable guide to tasting wine
I’ve always been mystified by professional wine tasters. In this book, Tim Gaiser finally explains what’s going on, in a very approachable way. If you’d like to become a master taster, this is your guide. And if you’d just like to know how to catch the fragrance of a wine and know what those “legs” are, this is also your guide.Read up now. The next time you go wine tasting, you might discover newfound skills!
Wayne B.
2023-01-31
Message in the Bottle: A Guide for Tasting Wine: A great reference work for wine tasters
Tim Gaiser, MS has written a thorough and authoritative guide for individuals interested in improving their wine tasting abilities. Message in the Bottle is written for wine professionals, but there is plenty of information here that anyone interested in the subject can understand. He deconstructs and reconstructs the deductive tasting process in a manner that allows the reader to work at their own pace and build confidence in their tasting skills. In addition to providing a specific methodology for tasting, he also explores how we, as humans, experience the complex sensory input that wine provides. A greater understanding of how our minds process sensory information will enable us to translate that information into words and conclusions. It’s all here in one concise and well-written volume.
Robert Jones
2023-01-27
Message in the Bottle: A Guide for Tasting Wine: An Instant Classic!
Tim Gaiser MS has put together the definitive work on wine tasting and the deductive process...written in a style that'll work for tasters at every level of proficiency. Even if you've been paying attention to and tasting wine seriously for, say, 32 years, there's something here for you. Buy this, read it, and gift some copies!