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| The Billionaire's Vinegar: The Mystery of the World's Most Expensive Bottle of Wine | 
 enlarge | Author: Benjamin Wallace
Publisher: Crown
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $14.72
You Save: $10.23 (41%)
New (37) Used (16) from $13.17
Avg. Customer Rating:  45 reviews
Sales Rank: 3413
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.3
ISBN: 0307338770
Dewey Decimal Number: 641.2223
EAN: 9780307338778
ASIN: 0307338770
Publication Date: May 13, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Let the Mystery Continue July 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've seen some critiques stating that this book was premature in its publication, but I disagree. The essence of the book is the mystery of the bottle, so a definitive answer at the end would be disappointing (in my view). This is a fantastic book. I know very little about wine, but was intrigued by the thought of a 200+ year old bottle of wine formerly owned by Thomas Jefferson. The story is very well written and kept me turning pages longer after I should have gone to bed. I felt as though I really knew the characters and was a part of the experience. In all, a great book that I highly recommend, whether a wine aficionado or not.
 Entertaining Read July 2, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Very easy and entertaining read. Highly recommend for anyone interested in wine and it's history.
Wine fakes, an increasing and serious business June 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Fakes are common: From LVMH ladies' bags to wine. And we are just at the beginning. If Petrus is making 30,000 bottles a year there may be 300,000 on the market. I have met counterfeits twice: Some years ago Le Pin and quite recently Romanne-Conti. So stay alert And widen your knowledge about this particular industry by reading the excellent book 'The Billionaire's Vinegar. Just as exciting as a novel by Agatha Christie and full of knowledge and facts not easily available for us commoners. And the book is real!!!!!
Wait until the last chapter is written June 28, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
The Billionaire's Vinegar is a wonderful, but incomplete story. As other reviewers note, the dispute that is at the center of this book has a long way to go before it's resolved. In early Spring of '08, a New York judge ruled in favor of the "bad guy" Hardy Rodenstock, but Koch, his relentless pursuer, is still seeking legal satisfaction. This story has yet to have it's final chapter written; but this book makes a very compelling start to recording the tale.
Besides the story of Rodenstock and his clearly fake Thomas Jefferson purchased wines, is the story of the elite wine trade. All of the famous wine critics, Broadbent, Shanken, Parker, Robinson etc. appear to come off as a bit foolish in falling for what are revealed as fakes. Given the susceptability of these people to fall for the apparent prestige of old Ch. Lafite, Petrus, etc.; along with the revelations in a documentary movie about Wine Spectator's James Suckling giving a high rating to a wine for someone he had a business relationship with, makes one wonder about whose advice can be trusted.
As a regular wine consumer, I find that the lesson of this story and others is to get to know your local wine merchant, make friends, and trust your own judgement. The magazines etc may lead you to some interesting and wonderful finds, but don't be too pursuaded by inflated ratings and correspondingly inflated prices.
A Good Read! June 23, 2008
Pour yourself a glass of wine, preferably an aged vintage, and prepare to savor this mysterious tale in one long, unhurried sitting. Part wine discourse, part historical adventure, part suspenseful tale, The Billionaire's Vinegar exposes the world of wine, both past and present, displaying its idiosyncrasies and colorful characters. Of particular interest is the portrayal of Thomas Jefferson as a man with more devotion to a bottle of fine wine than to his own family. His human side, often lost in history textbooks, is a delightful addition.
Is the 1787 bottle of Chateau Lafite Bordeaux really worth $156,000 or is it an extremely well-crafted counterfeit? Benjamin Wallace exhaustively researched this issue and presents all sides, points and minutiae. He writes with wit and occasionally a tongue placed firmly in cheek, which keeps the reader weaving through the controversy. Once in a while, bordering on too tangential and focusing on details concerning only the most devout of wine connoisseurs, Wallace provides the reader a generally impartial view with only a few glimpses of his personal thoughts on the matter.
The Billionaire's Vinegar is an exciting tale of intrigue highlighting the frenzy, madness and competition of the elite and often-absurd world of wine collecting.
Armchair Interviews says: Wine, wine and more wine.
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