Is This Bottle Corked?: Secret Life Of Wine, The

Description:
What was Falstaff drinking when he called for more sack? What did they actually drink at Plato's Symposium? Why does Bridget Jones drink Chardonnay? Why do we drink to forget (and why doesn't it work)? All these and many other intriguing questions will be answered in 'Is this Bottle Corked?' As much for bon vivants and those of us who just enjoy a good glass or two as for the committed oenophile, this book is guaranteed to provide readers with a 'Yes, but did you know ...' for every time a cork is drawn.

Author Biography:
Kathleen Burk was born and raised in California. She has achieved a Diploma in Wine and Spirits; this is the level just below that of the Master of Wine, of which there are about 250 in the world. She writes for The World of Fine Wine, the leading magazine for those interested in both its culture and taste, and is a judge for the International Wine and Spirits Competition. She is the Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at University College London. Her newest book is Old World, New World: the Story of Britain and America. Michael Bywater is a culture critic, commentator, broadcaster and reviewer. He is the author of two previous Granta books and is currently Culture Critic of the New Statesman and a regular reviewer for the Daily Telegraph, Sunday Times and The Independent. He also teaches Tragedy on the English Tripos for a number of Cambridge colleges. He is currently completing his next book, Like Brothers: On Men & Friendship, to be published by Granta Books next year.