Wine Talk

"Raymond Blake is an exquisite writer on wine–and probably anything else he would care to apply his lyrical command of the language to– and he can go deep and talk the talk with the best of them, but he can also pull back on the reins and use his considerable knowledge to more mainstream effect without even a scintilla of condescension. In Wine Talk Blake has written his most page-turningly accessible book. Witty, informative, reminiscent of Jay McInerney's terrific essays on wine, Wine Talk ranges so agreeably and even breezily over so many aspects of wine, from viticulture to regions to exploring new vinous experiences, this is simply one of the most pleasurable books on wine I have ever read. Blake abandons the pedagogy and goes straight for the heart of what we all love about wine: its mystery, its soul. What an exultant joy we have here in Wine Talk. Blake has come down out of the clouds and vouchsafed us hoi polloi a book that speaks to all of us who love a glass of wine."
–​Rex Pickett, author of Sideways and the upcoming The Archivist

“A really new voice is always welcome in the chorus of wine-lovers who feel the urge to write about their delight in the stuff. Perhaps it helps to be Irish; Raymond has that way with words, and that original voice. Welcome, fellow-sufferer!”
–​Hugh Johnson OBE, the world’s bestselling wine writer

"Raymond's book oozes with so much personal experience (both delightfully hazy and precise) and feisty opinion that it is easy to forget that this is actually a tremendous Global Introduction to Wine. It's just that he misses out the boring stuff but gives you both barrels on what's fun and interesting, and then soaks the lot in the happy drinking remembrances of one of Ireland's finest wine men.”
–Oz Clarke OBE, world renowned wine writer