Fine Wine Confidential (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781946637475)

How often have you raised a glass of fine wine to honor a colleague, celebrate newlyweds, or mark a meaningful achievement? In those fleeting, joyful moments of a ritual thousands of years old, have you ever wondered about the wine itself-where it came from, who made it, and how it found its way to your table? Fine Wine Confidential answers those questions and more, offering a deeper appreciation of every glass you drink. From vineyard to marketplace, you'll discover that fine wine is part of one of the most complex and often combative multi-billion-dollar industries in the United States, shaped by history, craftsmanship, and commerce. The book also reveals the surprising story behind America's wine distribution system, from the lingering effects of Prohibition to the influence of organized crime and state-controlled monopolies. At the center is author Fred Reno, whose career spans more than four decades and culminated in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that helped open the door to direct-to-consumer wine sales nationwide. Reno's journey, from a novice retail salesman in Washington, D.C. to President and CEO of a leading independent wine distributor, provides a rare insider's perspective on the industry. After reading Fine Wine Confidential, you'll never look at a glass of wine the same way again. Cheers!