Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Grape Vs. Grain

Book Review

Grape vs. Grain: A Historical, Technological, and Social Comparison of Wine and Beer, by Charles Bamforth. Why is wine considered more sophisticated even though the production of beer is much more technologically complex? Why is wine touted for its health benefits when beer has more nutritive value? Why does wine conjure up images of staid dinner parties while beer denotes screaming young partiers? Charles Bamforth explores several paradoxes involving these beverages, paying special attention to the culture surrounding each. He argues that beer can be just as grown-up and worldly as wine and be part of a healthy, mature lifestyle. Both beer and wine have histories spanning thousands of years. This is the first book to compare them from the perspectives of history, technology, nature of the market for each, quality attributes, types and styles, and the effect that they have on human health and nutrition. Order from Amazon.com.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Maybe because wine drinkers typically have more money and power, so they can tout the benefits of wine better than beer drinkers.

I don't know how anybody can drink wine. Yech!

Anonymous said...

Patism -- that's one of the books arguments. Hit it right on the head.

People with more money also tend to be healthier, ergo, wine is healthy...!

Really it's about the same.
(Disclaimer - I work for Cambridge UP) But I'm a beer nut and loved the book.

Jaigurudev said...

Blog Link Exchange Request


Hi,

Would you like to link exchange with me, We have recently launched a Globalappeal and Tours and Travel blog we are looking to spread the word and get in contact with similar websites to ours to promote relevant blogs and websites.
Let me know if you would like to exchange links with our.
I am waiting for reply,

Best regards
Narendra
ntidke@gmail.com