As a wine lover—or even a beginner taking your first steps toward appreciating the fruit of the vine—you probably know which kind of Chardonnay or Merlot you prefer. The Ultimate Wine Lover's Guide is here to expand your horizons, bringing you wines you may have heard of but never tried; wines completely new to you; and wines that sound like must-haves but may be hard to find in your neighborhood store. This unique guide lists and describes inexpensive wines for pizza or pasta, fancy reds, famous labels, rare wines, and everything in between. Best of all, the 1,000+ wine descriptions tell you which foods pair well with each wine.

Fred DuBose, a native Texan now living in New York, is a writer and editor who served as an editorial director for one of North America's largest publishers of practical books. His most recent book, the best-selling The Ultimate Bartender's Guide: 1000 Fabulous Recipes from The Four Seasons Restaurant, was published by Barnes & Noble Books in 2003. He owes his love of wine to the eight years he spent enjoying it in Australia.

Evan P. Spingarn is a wine educator, consultant, writer, and salesman. Currently the New York Sales Manager for David Bowler Wine, he teaches classes for corporate and private clients through his company, Evan Spingarn Wine Events. From 1996 to 2004 he served as manager and buyer for Nancy's Wines For Food. A sixth generation New Yorker, he lives in Manhattan with his wife Kate and their extensive Chinese takeout menu collection.

Nancy Maniscalco left the corporate world in 1991 and a year later opened Nancy's Wines for Food in the heart of New York's Upper West Side. Her store's focus on quality, selectivity, and service made it an immediate hit, and it remains so to this day.