Extreme Wine: Searching the World for the Best, the Worst, the Outrageously Cheap, the Insanely Overpriced, and the Undiscovered

(Paperback)

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In Extreme Wine, wine economist and best-selling author Mike Veseth circles the globe searching for the best, worst, cheapest, most expensive, and most over-priced wines. Mike seeks out the most outrageous wine people and places and probes the biggest wine booms and busts. Along the way he applauds celebrity wines, tries to find wine at the movies, and discovers wines that are so scarce that they are almost invisible. Why go to such extremes Because, Mike argues, the world of wine is growing and changing, and if you want to find out whats really happening you cant be afraid to step over the edge. Written with verve and appreciation for all things wine, Extreme Wine will surprise and delight readers.

Reviews

Veseth (Wine Wars), who blogs at the Wine Economist, takes readers on a whirlwind tour of the worlds wines in the titular superlatives. Readers may be familiar with French wines, but get ready to explore Canadas Icewine (made from grapes frozen to 17 degrees Fahrenheit). These highly concentrated wines (popular in Asia) sell for prices ranging from $50 to $500. Veseth discusses how Prohibition (192033) impacted the wine industry (most wineries went out of business) as well as loopholes in the Volstead Act that allowed four million gallons of wine to be legally produced in 1925. The most expensive wine should be no surprise to readers: Bordeaux 2009. Whats the worst wine Veseth writes, Thats easy: look down! Wines can be judged by their prices, with the cheaper wines located at the bottom of the wine shelves. Veseth asserts that celebrity wines such as those made by Yao Ming, Martha Stewart, and Paul Newman dont necessarily harm the real wine industry and, in fact, encourage wine drinkers to try new varieties. VERDICT History buffs and adventurous wine drinkers are sure to find interesting tidbits about the industry and encounter new wines to hunt down. Highly recommended. * Library Journal *
Wine expert and editor of the popular Wine Economist blog, Veseth (Wine Wars) returns with an entertaining and informative survey of the wine landscape, past and present. Here, extreme is used to define many aspects of wine culture, ranging from the extreme temperatures necessary for preparing a proper icewine, to the low pricing of Two Buck Chuck and Thunderbird, to the wildly expensive pastime known as 'wine tourism.' Veseth acts as an enthusiastic host who is more than willing to share his insights. For example, he explains how to quickly judge the quality of a wine by tilting the glass to a 45 degree angle (the more intense the color of the wine near the edge of the glass, the better it is) and why one should never order Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio at a restaurant (it is popular and routinely overpriced as a result). He even includes a chapter on celebrity winesapparently former NBA player Yao Mings wine is worth checking outand a fun wine-related filmography, with countless sources for additional information in every section. This entertaining read will surely resonate among fellow oenophiles and novice wine-oes alike. * Publishers Weekly *
No wine-making or wine-selling professional can afford to ignore Veseths blog, which illuminates wines often murky economics. Here he expounds on wines outliers, revealing those wines that have unusual histories, are particularly expensive or cheap, or are made under the most difficult conditions. Taking what could be an esoteric subject and making it compelling for any wine drinker, Veseth probes the best and worst that the worlds vineyards produce. He chronicles booms and busts, relating how Prohibition actually became a boon for vineyards as home winemakers of the era snapped up grapes by the case for cross-country shipment. Explaining the impact of international currency markets, he documents how Australias strong dollar has dampened exports. Veseth also details why the cheapest wines arent necessarily the worst nor the most expensive the best. Surprisingly, celebrities involvement in winemaking has produced some bottlings that transcend the media status of the vineyards owners. Not just for geeky wine snobs. * Booklist *
Extreme Wine explores the often extraordinary stuff that is being produced on the margins of the wine industry. It does so by shining a spotlight on some of the superlatives mentioned in the books subtitle by means of vivid, often quirky examples, such as the infamous Billionaires Vinegar, or the dog winery at Raymond Vineyards in Napa Valley. . . .Extreme Wine shows just how fascinating and dynamic the wide world of wine really is, with new appellations, wineries, and winemaking techniques constantly emerging. So, if you are an explorer, the horizon is continually shifting, limitless. * Gayots Blog *
This book is not for the snifferati and spitterati. It is an incredible and balanced study of the extremities of the wine world and wines of the world. Veseth even found our 600 bottles of extreme wine made in South Africa. -- Emil Den Dulk, owner, De Toren Private Cellar, South Africa
Extreme Wine is a must-read for wine lovers and people in the wine industry. It helps me to look at the industry from various unique angles. I found myself jotting down idea after idea while reading the bookof which many are now part of my plan for promoting Grace Vineyard in China. Highly recommended! -- Judy Leissner, CEO, Grace Vineyard, China
Congratulations to Mike Veseth for his outstanding book on the global wine world. It takes a very creative mind and a keen eye to see the center from the extreme edges without distorting reality. It is a book that grabs you from the very beginning and once you start reading, you can hardly leave it before reaching its end. -- Aldo Biondolillo, Tempus Alba, Argentina
A provocative, engaging, and seriously entertaining journey covering all the vineyards under the sun. Mike Veseth provides a delightful sensory experience that will greatly increase the reader's enjoyment of wine. -- Cobus Joubert, Maison Joubert, South Africa
Extreme Wine is as broad as it is fascinating, with Mike Veseths always perceptive insights into what makes the world of wine tick. His book is a must read for all of us who eat, sleep, and breathe the rich and wonderful life of wine, and it opens its hidden extremes to the novice who might otherwise wonder why we find it so immensely rewarding. -- Bartholomew Broadbent, CEO, Broadbent Selections, United States
Thanks to Mike Veseth, readers will discover and understand the philosophy that leads each producer to create his or her own wines. All our family is very proud to be considered extreme wine people! -- Giuseppe and Rafaella Bologna, owners, Braida Winery (maker of Bricco dellUccellone), Italy
[Veseth] writes about wine business issues with a down to earth populist ease. His enthusiastic, chatty style resembles a conversation over a glass of Merlot in a wine bar. He makes his subject highly accessible and clearly loves this world. . . . [His] popular wine economics approach fill[s] a real gap in a readable and informative way. . . . [A] good introduction for students and those not experienced in wine business issues. There are useful insights for us old shire horses of the trade too. . . . For encouraging us to stop looking at our shoe laces and focus on the big picture he deserves many readers. * Harpers Wine & Spirit *

Author Bio

Mike Veseth is professor emeritus of international political economy at the University of Puget Sound. He is editor of the award-winning blog The Wine Economist and author of several books on the business and pleasure of wine, including the best-selling Wine Wars; Money, Taste, and Wine; and Around the World in Eighty Wines, which received the 2018 Gourmand International award for Best U.S. Book in Wine and Spirits Tourism. Hes currently working on his next book when he isnt traveling around the world with his wife, Sue; speaking to wine industry groups; and looking for great wines and great wine stories.