The Affordable Wine Guide to California and the Pacific Northwest

A down-to-earth guide to good wines for everyday enjoyment

I’m not a wine connoisseur, and I can’t afford to drink wine that costs $40+ a bottle. Unfortunately, some of the cheaper wines are really good and some are really terrible – but it’s hard to tell the difference. So I welcome The Affordable Wine Guide to California and the Pacific Northwest by Mark Spivak.

Spivak uses a simple, straightforward rating system – A is outstanding, worth a splurge; B is good to very good; C is fair to average; while D is poor to below average and overpriced.

The descriptions are concise and straightforward. As Spivak says, he “focuses on two things: what does the wine taste like, and what type of food does it go with? For the most part, the exotic descriptors (lime blossom, etc.) have been left on the cutting-room floor.”

Spivak also provides a short, informative history of each winery.

Lots of the wines listed are available in Saskatoon, so they should be readily available elsewhere. I’ve tried several of them, and I’m in overall agreement with Spivak’s ratings. I also appreciate the fact that he is upfront about his personal preferences.

The Affordable Wine Guide to California and the Pacific Northwest by Mark Spivak is available from Smashwords for $9.99US. I will receive an affiliate commission of 11% if you use this link to make a purchase. Thank you!

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