Had a Glass 2013

In a sea of vinous choice Had a Glass points BC wine drinkers in the right direction--towards a good bottle that won't break the bank. In this expertly selected collection of 100 wines, you will find the very best value for money across the best whites, pinks, reds and bubbles for 2013. Each wine has a full page review and its label and barcode are included for easy reference in the liquor store. Possible food pairings for each wine are suggested, along with recommendations for occasions suited to that particular wine--Wednesday Night Wine, anyone? Then, because sometimes life's moments trump the bottom line, there is "The Splurge" . . . 10 wines that are most definitely worth the lapse in budget.

In addition to its 100 wallet-friendly wines, Had A Glass also has a wine "bootcamp" section that covers all the basics of wine appreciation, including:

‧ How to taste wine (as opposed to simply drink wine!): James's patented Four Step Process explains what to look for in a wine's colour, clarity, aroma and bouquet, and how to understand a wine's body and finish.

‧ How to buy wine: Advice on how to navigate the wine aisles, along with tips on how to seek out value in the liquor store.

‧ How to enjoy wine: The various accoutrements available to wine enthusiasts, with info on serving temperatures and a quick-reference serving temperature chart.

‧ Food and Wine: A handy rundown of food and wine pairings covering all the major food groups

JAMES NEVISON is an award-winning wine writer and educator and the co-founder of HALFAGLASS, a boutique wine consultancy in Vancouver. Along with Kenji Hodgson, James has co-authored five best-selling wine books, the latest of which is Had a Glass 2010. His weekly wine column "The Wine Guy" appears every Thursday in The Province, and he contributes regularly to Taste magazine and many others.