Wine

“Not only is the author’s scholarship impeccable and discriminating, but his style and wit are such that the reader experiences a sensation of continuous enlightenment and enjoyment throughout.”–Robert Bagg, University of Massachusetts “Varriano offers a chatty, charming, and intelligent tale of wine from Neolithic times to the present. It is a delightful journey… . The book as a whole is fluent, fun, and filled with delightful scraps of history, literature, religion, and art.”–Kenneth Bendiner, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee “Offers a great deal of fascinating analysis that is precise, revealing, and engaging. Anyone interested in the history of Ancient Greek/Roman art or Western European painting should find it fascinating to discover exactly which role the depiction of wine played in them.”– “Gastronomica” “Packed with interesting anecdotes, it’s beautifully illustrated and exhaustively researched, and romps along at a great pace.”– “Decanter” “Those who have overindulged in the subject might like instead to read about the culture of the vine. Drawing on poetry, art, and history, Varriano presses out some of the infinitely rich past of the fermented grape.”– “I (Independent mini version)” “Varriano’s beautifully illustrated and detailed study shows how wine has inspired us in art, literature, and religion. It is the perfect drinking companion.”– “Guardian”

John Varriano is professor emeritus of art history at Mount Holyoke College. His books include Caravaggio: The Art of Realism and Tastes and Temptations: Food and Art in Renaissance Italy.