Book: Educating Peter, by Lettie Teague
26-May-2007
This post is way overdue! I’ve been enjoying this book so much that I almost forgot that I should let you know about it. First, to make sure we are above board here, I need to let you know that I was contacted by someone from the publishing company, Simon and Schuster, Inc who asked if I’d like to receive a copy of the book, Educating Peter: How I Taught a Famous Movie Critic the Difference Between Cabernet and Merlot or How Anybody Can Become an (Almost) Instant Wine Expert
, written by Lettie Teague. I’ve mentioned this to you all before but I do accept these "gifts" as long as it’s understood that if I choose to write anything about them it will be my true opinion.
, written by Lettie Teague. I’ve mentioned this to you all before but I do accept these "gifts" as long as it’s understood that if I choose to write anything about them it will be my true opinion. So the book arrived quite some time ago and I soon started reading it. If you are not familiar with Lettie she is the wine writer for Food and Wine magazine, and you’ll often see her presenting at different food and wine events around the country.
I’ve always enjoyed her style as she is not pretentious at all and many of her columns are based on finding good value wines that might be otherwise overlooked. Having said that, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book.
Well, I can tell you now that I absolutely love it! I’m actually not done with it as I’m savoring each page much as you would a wine that you really enjoy. I read just a chapter or section of a chapter each night. Within the first few pages I’d picked up several bits of information that were new to me. But, more than just wine information, the book is very entertaining as Lettie recounts her conversations and experiences in providing a personal wine course for Peter Travers, Rolling Stone’s film critic and self-proclaimed wine novice.
The book is written in a very easy to read style, with each section providing good detailed information but not so much as to overwhelm. In addition, both Lettie’s way of presenting the information and Peter’s way of relating to it (often through move references) provide a good frame of reference that helps you relate it to something.
I actually plan to finish this book and then read it again. This first round through is helping me become aware of all the various topics and I’m focusing a lot on the amusing stories. Next time through I will really focus on the wine information and I expect a lot of it to stick with me and become useful bits as I’m buying and tasting wine. After that I will share with as many friends as possible!
No matter if you are a complete wine novice or consider yourself fairly knowledgeable on the subject this book holds a little something (or more!) for everyone. Plus, it just such a fun read that even if you know it all, I think you should read it just for the stories!
Culinary Fool 
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