Frost on cars in the morning is proof the season has changed. Most grapes have been harvested and the wines we will be drinking next year are undergoing their transformation in the winery.

Christmas decorations are in the shops and maybe your thoughts are turning to the question of presents to give – or to ask for. Books make great gifts for wine lovers.

There have been a clutch of new wine related books released in time for the few weeks in the year when more books are sold than any other time and over the next few weeks I will be reviewing them on the site.

Posted today is my review of

‘When the Rivers Ran Red: An Amazing Story of Courage and Triumph in America's Wine Country’ By Vivienne Sosnowski
Can you imagine living in a country where you can’t buy a beer or get a glass of wine with your restaurant dinner? That is what Saudi Arabia is like today but that was also the United States for fourteen years from January 16, 1920. The difference between Saudi Arabia and the USA is that while alcohol isn’t part of Muslim culture it most definitely was for millions of Americans who enjoyed wine and beer and also the many that made their living from the business. How Prohibition affected California’s wine making families is at the heart of Vivienne Sosnowski’s book.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art68986.asp

Also posted in the past month
‘Wineries of the Finger Lakes Region: The Heart of New York State’ by Emerson C. Klees.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art68311.asp

'A History of Virginia Wines from Grapes to Glass' by Walker Elliott Rowe.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art68779.asp

Other recent articles on the site:

Chablis and Chardonnay
Chablis used to be the name for the house wine when Peter F May started drinking and that memory got him thinking about Chablis and Chardonnay.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art68978.asp

Virginia is for Wine Lovers
Peter F May visited Virginia's wine lands and was captivated.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art68648.asp

Breaux Vineyards, Virginia
Breaux Vineyards, in Loudoun County, was one of the wineries Peter F May visited in his recent tour of Virginia's wine country
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art68888.asp

Breaux Vineyards Wine Tasting Notes
Tasting notes from Peter F May's recent visit to Breaux Vineyards, in Loudoun County, Virginia
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art68889.asp



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http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=99

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!

Have fun passing this message along to family and friends, because we all love free knowledge!

Peter F May, Wine Editor
http://wine.bellaonline.com