Author will promote title on their social media platforms, Reviewer mailing for print publications, Blog tour
Patrick Alexander originally developed the Wine Appreciation
program when he worked at the University of Miami as Director of
the Office of Professional Advancement. In the summer of 2011,
after Patrick had left UM in order to focus on writing, Mitchell
Kaplan suggested he offer his program at Books & Books during the
quiet summer months. “It seems a pity to waste all that research”
Mitchell said “and you never know; our book customers might enjoy
learning about wine.” Four years, nineteen sold-out classes, and
three-hundred satisfied students later, Patrick Alexander's Wine
Appreciation Program has become one of the highlights of Books &
Books event programming.
Previously Director of the Wine Appreciation program at the
University of Miami and a judge for the Florida International Wine
Challenge, Patrick Alexander has been teaching these wildly popular
and critically acclaimed classes at Books & Books for over four
years. Patrick is also a published author and his writings include
"Marcel Proust’s Search for Lost Time" and "The Nigerian Letter."
Mitchell is a co-founder of Miami Book Fair International and
serves as the Chairperson of its Board of Directors. He also serves
on the steering committee of the Florida Center for the Literary
Arts, Miami-Dade College's literary center. Mitchell recently
served a two-year term as President of the American Booksellers
Association (ABA) and continues an active involvement with the
organization. He also serves on the Board of ABFFE, the American
Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression.
“Listen up, lovers of cheap wine (aka everybody who reads this
column): Wine expert Patrick Alexander says we’re drinking the
right thing. …. Alexander knows a lot about wine, and he enjoys
pairing wines with some of his favorite writers (Shakespeare with
sherry, J.R.R. Tolkien with Albariño, Jane Austen with
Chardonnay)." —Connie Ogle: Book editor and wine columnist for the
Miami Herald
“Amazingly comprehensive. It was a good read for me as a wine
enthusiast but for a novice it would be a heck of a resource. I
really like the structure of the chapters. .... Overall, a solid
wine book and the compilation of information must have taken a heck
of a long time to put together. The history and context is awesome.
The details on varieties and wine regions is amazing.” —Chris
O’Shea: Editor/ Writer. The Unfussy Wine Enthusiasts
"If anyone defined the phrase Renaissance Man, Patrick is just that
person. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone with such a rich
intellect, having such diverse interests, and able to pair his love
of history, geography, economics, and alcohol with so much humor. I
am proud that my bookstore inspired this book, and I am happy that
my friendship made it possible." —MItchell Kaplan, owner Books &
Books
"This is the book I wish I had years ago. Who knew that soil and
climate has so much to do with how a glass of wine ends up tasting?
Patrick Alexander knows all that and more in the spectacular book.
I love learning about writers and their favorite vintages, simply
fascinating!" —Nina Lesowitz, author of The Party Girl Cookbook
"What a delightful and singular book—the pairings of wine and books
is every oenophile's dream. Now I know exactly what to imbibe when
rereading Tolkien." —Susannah Seton, author of Simple Pleasures
"Patrick Alexander opens the door to his world of wine for the
reader, and lets his passion shine through. I know pairing wine
with books is a lifestyle choice that Patrick generously loves to
share." —Alex Susser, author of New World Cuisine"Every bit as
edifying and entertaining is Patrick Alexander’s Booklovers’ Guide
to Wine (Mango, 394 pages, $19.95), which takes pairing to a new
level: matching great reading with tasty wines. This book would be
a highly recommendable primer on wine without the literary
references as Alexander guides us through regions and grapes, plus
how to truly appreciate this nectar. But the hefty chapter matching
grapes with authors is pure delight: albariño and J.R.R. Tolkien,
chardonnay and Jane Austen, and his personal favorite,
gewürztraminer and Marcel Proust. Amazingly, every explanation of
the matchups makes so much sense that it’s impossible to imagine
another author for that wine, or vice versa." —Minneapolis Star
Tribune
"Patrick’s conversational writing style and wit makes readers feel
as if they are attending his class. The Booklovers’ Guide to Wine
covers vast amounts of information without ever becoming dry in
delivery. I found myself making quick progress through the 350-plus
pages, continuously engaged along the way. Isn’t that what we all
want from a good book?" —Texas Wine Lover"
Patrick Alexander, author of The Booklovers’ Guide to Wine and host
of Books & Books’ wine appreciation course, says which glass you
use doesn’t make much difference. The important thing is that the
bowl should narrow at the top to focus and concentrate the aromas,”
he says. “Personally I like big glasses with stems. . . . Also
glass should be plain and clear, not colored or engraved.” —Miami
Herald
“Guides to the wide world of wine are many but this is the first
book on the market to pair books with wine by an author who is a
preeminent expert on both.” —Thriftbooks.com
“Patrick Alexander seems to be the perfect guide for
booklovers who want to enjoy wine even more through story-telling……
I have read dozens of wine guides over the years and I can’t think
of one that is so much fun. Simply irresistible!. …….. Alexander’s
literary references are the second distinctive factor. His abundant
quotes from famous authors are clever and really made me think. And
the chapter on wine grape varieties—where grapes are compared to
famous authors—is both fun and informative.” —Mike Veseth, editor
of the Wine Economist and author of many wine books, including Wine
Wars.
“From the preface through to the epilogue readers will learn
everything from why the author has a dislike for wine critic Robert
Parker that is completely logical yet surprising, basics on how to
taste wine, read labels, naming different varietals, how to make
wine, why sweet wines are popular, the connection between religion
and wine, the difference between an American’s understanding of
wine and that of a European’s in relation to terroir, what the 100
year war did to the wine industry, why the opinions on wine are so
subjective and finally, why Alexander is “never happier than with a
glass of wine in one hand and a good book in the other.” —Eve
Bushman: Wine writer and consultant. Member of the Wine and Spirits
Education Trust (WSET), and the North American Sommelier
Association (NASA), author of Wine Etiquette for Everyone
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