The Sommelier Prep Course: An Introduction to the Wines, Beers, and Spirits of the World -- Contents -- Preface -- Chapter 1: Wine Basics: Fermentation, Grapes, and the Flavor of Wine -- What Is Wine? -- Why Is Wine Made from Grapes? -- Characteristics of the Wine Grape -- Why Does My Wine Taste Like This? -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 2: A Short History of Wine -- The Ancient World -- The Modern World -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 3: Viticulture: The Art and Science of Growing Grapes -- Vitis vinifera: The Wine Grape Vine -- Agricultural Decisions and Practices -- Terroir: The Taste of a Place -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 4: Viniculture: The Art and Science of Making Wine -- Table Wine Production -- Sparkling Wine Production -- Fortified, Semisweet, Sweet, and Dessert Wine Production -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 5: Wine Grape Varieties -- International Grape Varieties -- Other Important Grape Varieties -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 6: Food and Wine Pairing -- Pairing Guidelines -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Tasting Exercise -- Key Terms -- Chapter 7: Wine Tasting and Sensory Analysis -- Wine Tasting Basics -- Types of Wine Tastings -- Analyzing Wine with Your Eyes -- Analyzing Wine with Your Nose -- Analyzing Wine with Your Palate -- Summary -- Tasting Sheet -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 8: Applying Wine Analysis -- Determining Age -- Determining Climate -- Determining Grape Varieties -- Determining Quality Level -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 9: The Wines of France -- The History and Importance of French Wine -- The Climate Zones of France -- French Wine Laws -- FRANCE'S CLASSIC WINE REGIONS - Bordeaux: The World's Most Successful Region -- Burgundy: Obsessed with Terroir.

The Rhône: The Original Classic Region -- Champagne: The Wine of Kings -- The Loire Valley: Variety Is the Spice of Life -- Alsace: The Exception -- Other French Regions of Note -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 10: The Wines of Italy -- The History and Importance of Italian Wine and Winemaking -- Italian Wine Laws -- Zones of Italian Wine Production -- Piedmont: The Foot of the Mountain -- Tuscany: Tradition and Innovation -- Veneto: The Heart of the Northeast -- Other Italian Regions of Note -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 11: The Wines of Spain -- Spain: Ancient Tradition and Modern Attitude -- Wine Laws of Spain -- Important Grapes of Spain -- and Important Regions -- Rioja: Spain's Most Famous Wine -- Other Spanish Regions of Note -- Sherry: The World's Greatest Wine Value -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 12: The Wines of Germany -- Germany: The Battle for Ripeness -- Wine Laws of Germany -- Important Grapes of Germany -- Terroir and Important Regions -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 13: The Wines of Portugal -- Portugal: Ancient Tradition and Bright Future -- Wine Laws of Portugal -- Important Grapes of Portugal -- Terroir and Important Regions -- Port: The World's Most Classic Dessert Wine -- Madeira: Cooked Wine -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 14: The Wines of Austria, Hungary, Greece, and Other European Regions -- Austria -- Hungary -- Greece -- Other European Regions of Note -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 15: The Old World and the New World of Wine -- Old World versus New World -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 16: The Wines of the United States -- The United States: Land of Potential -- California: The Golden State -- Oregon: America's Top Cool-Climate Region.

Washington: New Kid on the Block -- Other Important Wine States -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 17: The Wines of Australia -- Australia: The Land Down Under -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 18: The Wines of New Zealand -- New Zealand: An Island Nation -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 19: The Wines of South Africa -- South Africa: A Region Reborn -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 20: The Wines of Chile -- Chile: Land of Isolation -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 21: The Wines of Argentina -- Argentina: The Sleeping Giant -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 22: Emerging Wine Regions Around the World -- Canada -- Mexico -- Uruguay -- Other Emerging Regions -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 23: Beer and the Brewing Process -- Beer: Importance and Introduction -- Raw Ingredients for Beer -- The Brewing Process -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 24: Ales, Lagers, and Beer Styles -- The Families of Beer: Ales and Lagers -- Popular Styles of Ales -- Popular Styles of Lagers -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 25: Saké, Mead, and Cider -- Saké -- Mead -- Cider -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 26: Spirits and Distillation -- Distilled Spirits: History and Importance -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 27: Important Styles of Spirits -- Neutral Spirits -- Grain-Based Spirits -- Fruit- and Plant-Based Spirits -- Liqueurs and Cordials -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Chapter 28: Beverage Service and Storage -- Proper Service of Table Wines -- Proper Service of Sparkling Wines -- Decanting Wine -- Wine Storage -- Proper Service of Beer and Spirits -- Storage of Beer and Spirits -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms.

Chapter 29: Beverage Sales and Wine Lists -- Building Beverage Sales -- Wine Lists -- Summary -- Review Questions -- Key Terms -- Appendix A: Answer Key -- Appendix B: Pronunciation Guide -- Appendix C: Important Spirit Brands/Distillers -- Appendix D: Additional Resources -- Index.