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Love by the Glass: Tasting Notes from a Marriage
Love by the Glass is a captivating memoir by the authors of The Wall Street Journal ’s weekly “Tastings” column, Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, who have merged their journalism careers with their love of wine. She grew up in the all-black environment of Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, and he was raised in Jacksonville, where his was one of a handful of Jewish families. Follow Dottie and John from their June 4, 1973, meeting in the newsroom of The Miami Herald to their first “Open That Bottle Night,” which put them on the road to becoming full-time wine columnists. From the André Cold Duck that accompanied their first date to the bottle of Taittinger Champagne smuggled into the delivery room to wet the lips of their newborn second daughter, lovers of books as well as lovers of wine can now join the wine world’s favorite couple as they embark on the ultimate quest for the perfect grape.
316 pages, Paperback
First published January 8, 2002
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163 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
June 24, 2017
I believe it was a year or so ago when I reviewed The Wall Street Journal Guide to Wine by Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher. I found that book was top notch in its accessible approach to wine drinking and enjoyment.
So I started into Love by the Glass with a lot of positive feelings and I wasn’t disappointed. This is an engaging recounting of how two reporters met and made a life together. The story of their lives is woven around their passion for wine and how it eventually leads to the most popular wine column that has ever been in a major newspaper. But it also acknowledges some major historical events and their participation in them.
Gaiter and Brecher are extraordinary people by dint of their accomplishments and life together. Theirs is a very interesting story of careers working for major newspapers and having an inter-racial marriage. They came to enjoy wine experiences in a touching manner and they would often (far before they ever started writing about wine) go off on an adventure of wine tasting. They were even known to take long train journeys where they would pack enough champagne to drink while watching the scenery go by for days on end without ever leaving their compartment!
There were two things that I took to heart from this charming book:
1. Open that bottle! Don’t keep waiting for the perfect occasion when the wine can help make a great occasion; and,
2. Wine should never be a snobbish, elitist pleasure. Though there is knowledge that might enhance the experience, it is the event, the meal, the companionship that should predominate.
At times, the book may be a little awkward with two voices, but the editing is good and I came away with a feeling of great satisfaction.
So I started into Love by the Glass with a lot of positive feelings and I wasn’t disappointed. This is an engaging recounting of how two reporters met and made a life together. The story of their lives is woven around their passion for wine and how it eventually leads to the most popular wine column that has ever been in a major newspaper. But it also acknowledges some major historical events and their participation in them.
Gaiter and Brecher are extraordinary people by dint of their accomplishments and life together. Theirs is a very interesting story of careers working for major newspapers and having an inter-racial marriage. They came to enjoy wine experiences in a touching manner and they would often (far before they ever started writing about wine) go off on an adventure of wine tasting. They were even known to take long train journeys where they would pack enough champagne to drink while watching the scenery go by for days on end without ever leaving their compartment!
There were two things that I took to heart from this charming book:
1. Open that bottle! Don’t keep waiting for the perfect occasion when the wine can help make a great occasion; and,
2. Wine should never be a snobbish, elitist pleasure. Though there is knowledge that might enhance the experience, it is the event, the meal, the companionship that should predominate.
At times, the book may be a little awkward with two voices, but the editing is good and I came away with a feeling of great satisfaction.
March 22, 2014
One of the greatest things about the pre-Murdoch Wall Street Journal--that is, before the rest of the paper was brought down to the level of its op/ed page--was the wine column by Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher. There, most incongruously, in the capitalist paper of record you could read unpretentious, adventurous, and celebratory writing on wine with words full of life and love--it is impossible to imagine something like this appearing in the Journal today. This book is the story of their love for each other and for the vine, how their relationship was enhanced by it. And it's a uniquely American story, encompassing journalism, race, food, child-rearing, and geography. Dottie and John would promote their idea of an "open that bottle night," exhorting their readers not to wait for a special occasion (how bourgeois!). So, here I sit, on a plain ol' Friday night, over a glass of 20 year old rioja that is drinking lovely right now, waiting for the wife to get home. I'll pour another glass and drink to you, Dottie and John!
May 19, 2014
About halfway through the book I got fed up. I had the feeling that this couple was just too self-satisfied, too yuppie, too full of themselves. But I plowed on and in the end, I liked the book. There were some wonderful parts, especially the part of Dottie's illness and even more so, the part called "Open that Bottle Night" which was the best part of the book.
Unfortunately, that best part left me feeling very left out and lonely. This section and the main point of the book is that wine is something you enjoy with friends and loved ones. It isn't a book that instructs you on which wine to drink or how to understand what you are drinking. This is lovely. But for someone who lives alone, far from friends, this leaves me out. I drink wine every day, not a whole bottle -- that takes about five days. For me, the pleasure of wine is to enjoy what's in the bottle and yes, I'd like to learn more about how to appreciate it. If the only value of wine is to enjoy it with a loving partner or good friends, then maybe I should start drinking water with my meals. I was sorry that their assumption was that everyone lived with a loving partner and everyone is surrounded by close friends. Maybe that comes with being self-satisfied.
Unfortunately, that best part left me feeling very left out and lonely. This section and the main point of the book is that wine is something you enjoy with friends and loved ones. It isn't a book that instructs you on which wine to drink or how to understand what you are drinking. This is lovely. But for someone who lives alone, far from friends, this leaves me out. I drink wine every day, not a whole bottle -- that takes about five days. For me, the pleasure of wine is to enjoy what's in the bottle and yes, I'd like to learn more about how to appreciate it. If the only value of wine is to enjoy it with a loving partner or good friends, then maybe I should start drinking water with my meals. I was sorry that their assumption was that everyone lived with a loving partner and everyone is surrounded by close friends. Maybe that comes with being self-satisfied.
August 11, 2014
Beautiful book about life, love, and marriage paired with just the right vintage. Loved it.
June 18, 2023
John and Dottie recount their journey of courtship and wine familiarization in a timeline very closely parallel to the journeys that my wife and I navigated and at almost precisely the same age and point in time. In fact, many of the early wines that opened the wine world to them were the same wines that she and I sampled as we gradually moved our way forward in our relationship and on to our eventual marriage. She had read this book before her cancer hit, and I just now found it as I began clearing out "stuff" after her passing.
So I began the book as sort of an homage to her memory, but soon found myself fascinated by those parallels with John and Dottie's experience. And their book quickly became one of those that you have difficulty putting down. However, it is written the in third-person with frequent first-person interjections, so it is perhaps a bit more cumbersome in its flow than it otherwise might be. But their accounts of their jobs, lives and exploration of the world of wine do initially capture the reader's interest.
However, while the early stages of the book were interesting and informative about the world of wine, I found as I continued reading that it began to become a bit more self-absorbed and pretentious. By the time that I got to the later stages of the book I began to lose interest but was still close enough to finishing that I did manage to force myself to complete it.
It's a leisurely read that could be of particular interest especially to wine aficionados, as long as they are also willing to delve into some of the personal aspects of the couple's lives. They conclude the book with a wonderful anecdote about their daughter Zoe. And then they end by saying: "And that is the important thing: It's just wine. It's not life. It's just a wonderful part of life. Relax and enjoy it."
So I began the book as sort of an homage to her memory, but soon found myself fascinated by those parallels with John and Dottie's experience. And their book quickly became one of those that you have difficulty putting down. However, it is written the in third-person with frequent first-person interjections, so it is perhaps a bit more cumbersome in its flow than it otherwise might be. But their accounts of their jobs, lives and exploration of the world of wine do initially capture the reader's interest.
However, while the early stages of the book were interesting and informative about the world of wine, I found as I continued reading that it began to become a bit more self-absorbed and pretentious. By the time that I got to the later stages of the book I began to lose interest but was still close enough to finishing that I did manage to force myself to complete it.
It's a leisurely read that could be of particular interest especially to wine aficionados, as long as they are also willing to delve into some of the personal aspects of the couple's lives. They conclude the book with a wonderful anecdote about their daughter Zoe. And then they end by saying: "And that is the important thing: It's just wine. It's not life. It's just a wonderful part of life. Relax and enjoy it."
July 8, 2018
Very sweet, and the bits on the history of American wine were fascinating. It drags a bit and could have been shorter, but overall a delightful picture of a great marriage and a fun hobby.
July 8, 2021
Lovely story of wine, food, love, family, and celebrating life's moments!
May 18, 2017
I started reading this book at a bed and breakfast in Waynesboro, Virginia. The title intrigued me and so did the subject. Two of my favorite things – wine and love. My husband and I have been drinking Virginia wine for the last five years. We go to a lot of local wineries and even belong to one winery’s wine club. We haven’t been serious about this at all, but it has been fun.
So there we were on vacation and I am always a sucker for a good book. Over the course of our three day stay, I read about half the book. I thought about “borrowing it”, but I didn’t think we would ever be back. I figured that I might run across another copy at some point.
Fast forward one year and it is my husband’s spring break. What should we do this year? We had a great time in Waynesboro, so back we went. We were staying in a different cabin, but there it was Love by the Glass. So I got to have a lovely week away and finish this fun and interesting story.
The love that Gaiter and Brecher have for each other and their work in journalism is clear on every page. They are fortunate people – doing what they love and they know it. For me, this made the book a joy to read.
I had hoped to learn a bit more about wine than I actually absorbed. Gaiter and Brecher gave it their best shot. They give their readers plenty of information and make wine much more accessible. However, I got caught up in their love story and the wine took a backseat. That was not the writers fault.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves wine. You will learn a lot from people who really enjoy wine. I also suggest that if you enjoy love stories, you should find this book. Gaiter and Brecher’s story is true love.
So there we were on vacation and I am always a sucker for a good book. Over the course of our three day stay, I read about half the book. I thought about “borrowing it”, but I didn’t think we would ever be back. I figured that I might run across another copy at some point.
Fast forward one year and it is my husband’s spring break. What should we do this year? We had a great time in Waynesboro, so back we went. We were staying in a different cabin, but there it was Love by the Glass. So I got to have a lovely week away and finish this fun and interesting story.
The love that Gaiter and Brecher have for each other and their work in journalism is clear on every page. They are fortunate people – doing what they love and they know it. For me, this made the book a joy to read.
I had hoped to learn a bit more about wine than I actually absorbed. Gaiter and Brecher gave it their best shot. They give their readers plenty of information and make wine much more accessible. However, I got caught up in their love story and the wine took a backseat. That was not the writers fault.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves wine. You will learn a lot from people who really enjoy wine. I also suggest that if you enjoy love stories, you should find this book. Gaiter and Brecher’s story is true love.
August 25, 2010
My husband and I read this book out-loud to each other, which is a lovely way to experience the story. It's much more of an autobiographical telling of the authors' romance with each other and life, as opposed to a book about wine. In fact, it offers precious little information on the topic, and as such I would not recommend it to those who are already oenophiles; however, it seems like it might serve as a pleasant introduction to those who are intimidated by the subject.
Aside from the lack of information on wine, the other major drawback is that this couple really loves themselves. I don't just mean that they love each other -- they do, this is apparent, and sweet -- but they are constantly mentioning how much other people like them, how many awards they've won, how charming they are, how much fan mail they get, how spectacular their children are, and so on. This eventually becomes terribly distracting. Another drawback is their lack of specificity or creativity in describing wines. My husband and I now have a new joke, referring to every other wine we drink as tasting "like no other wine we've ever tried", an extremely tired phrase by the end of the book.
That said, we were happy to share in the ups and downs of their relationship, encouraged to find another couple that adores each other, and we really do agree with their basic attitude about wine-drinking: "wine at dinner makes us slow down, and when we slow down, we really talk and listen to each other and we really look at each other, and in that way we get reconnected to the things that we love about each other. And having reached this sweet spot, wine encourages us to linger there, to sip this sweet life, instead of gulping it."
Aside from the lack of information on wine, the other major drawback is that this couple really loves themselves. I don't just mean that they love each other -- they do, this is apparent, and sweet -- but they are constantly mentioning how much other people like them, how many awards they've won, how charming they are, how much fan mail they get, how spectacular their children are, and so on. This eventually becomes terribly distracting. Another drawback is their lack of specificity or creativity in describing wines. My husband and I now have a new joke, referring to every other wine we drink as tasting "like no other wine we've ever tried", an extremely tired phrase by the end of the book.
That said, we were happy to share in the ups and downs of their relationship, encouraged to find another couple that adores each other, and we really do agree with their basic attitude about wine-drinking: "wine at dinner makes us slow down, and when we slow down, we really talk and listen to each other and we really look at each other, and in that way we get reconnected to the things that we love about each other. And having reached this sweet spot, wine encourages us to linger there, to sip this sweet life, instead of gulping it."
August 12, 2009
I'm only a casual wine drinker and a little intimidated by how much I don't know. Which makes me the perfect reader for Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, who write the Wall Street Journal's Tastings column each week.
This is a story whose narrative frame arises from the wines the authors drink at critical moments during their lives together, but wine is not its primary theme. Instead, what emerges is a not-exceptional but well-observed story of a long marriage. Along the way, there are triumphs and setbacks as the two make their careers in journalism (Brecher was a long-time Page One editor at WSJ, and Gaiter an important reporter on issues of race and power), as well as the heartaches that are part of every life--a health scare, the death of beloved friends and family members, a long campaign to conceive the couple's first child. Without quite realizing it, you also receive a fine general education in wine.
The couple is neither sentimental nor immune to the magical ordinariness of married life. In the end, the message is that life is here to be enjoyed, as is wine. In a perfect world where Blur's "There's No Other Way" is a monster hit single and everybody prefers a good hummus pita to a quarter-pounder with cheese--in a world, in other words, where popular taste reflects my own by-no-means outre taste, this would be the perfect beach read. It may be, anyway.
This is a story whose narrative frame arises from the wines the authors drink at critical moments during their lives together, but wine is not its primary theme. Instead, what emerges is a not-exceptional but well-observed story of a long marriage. Along the way, there are triumphs and setbacks as the two make their careers in journalism (Brecher was a long-time Page One editor at WSJ, and Gaiter an important reporter on issues of race and power), as well as the heartaches that are part of every life--a health scare, the death of beloved friends and family members, a long campaign to conceive the couple's first child. Without quite realizing it, you also receive a fine general education in wine.
The couple is neither sentimental nor immune to the magical ordinariness of married life. In the end, the message is that life is here to be enjoyed, as is wine. In a perfect world where Blur's "There's No Other Way" is a monster hit single and everybody prefers a good hummus pita to a quarter-pounder with cheese--in a world, in other words, where popular taste reflects my own by-no-means outre taste, this would be the perfect beach read. It may be, anyway.
May 26, 2009
I would give this less stars for readers who aren't into wine, but even so, Dottie and John use wine to tell the bigger story of their lives and their love, and the book reminded me how important it is to slow down and relish the time we have - which wine has a way of helping us do. As they say near the end of the book, "... having reached this sweet spot, wine encourages us to linger there, to sip this sweet life, instead of gulping it. Too much of our lives rushes by us. Too few people take the time to savor it, but there's a beautiful sunset somewhere every day, a shorter-than-expected commute, a bonus, a clean bill of health, a triumph of some sort that only you can appreciate ... maybe we drink wine because we're romantic. Maybe we're romantic because we drink wine." True, someone who is not a wine aficionado might not appreciate their waxing poetic on the beverage, but they are decidedly NOT wine snobs and only interested in encouraging us all to fully experience the pleasures life affords.
May 2, 2009
This book is just a sweet read. I was a little disturbed by their inside lovey dovey stuff ('to your bottom' for a toast was a little much for me; dorothy's face in various household objects ... creepy?), but once I got past that, it's just a lovely story -- and taught me a lot about wine. So much of what's written about wine is at this high, lofty, inaccessible distance. And I'm sure a lot of folks want it that way. But the fact that these two just love what they do, and love each other so much, makes the whole topic more engaging. It's a good story for budding or actual journalists -- you'll recognize or see the kind of relationship sacrifices you have to make for the job. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes wine or stories that just make you step away from the world a bit.
June 1, 2009
I loved this book. It is as much about wine as it is about a relationship between two people, their challenges and how they overcame them. And one of the messages I feel the book promoted: if you like wine, try it, drink it, enjoy it. you don't have to know all about it to know what you like and don't like. sometimes you will try a wine and be disappointed, but be willing to try a different wine because sometimes you will be floored by it. just like in life - you have disappointments and you have things that exceed your expectations.
April 23, 2009
Such a sweet book from such a sweet couple. The Wall Street Journal's wine-reviewing couple weaves their love and life stories with their passion for wine, which begins as a hobby and develops into a beloved weekly column in the Journal. Although the book is fantastically written and a breeze to read, if you are looking for insight into the world of wine, this is not the place. The authors really encourage people to drink wines of all types, but really, this is mostly a sweet, little love story.
January 17, 2010
This was a gift and such a fun and entertaining read. Written by the couple that writes the wine column for WSJ, it talks about their relationships (how they met, their courtship, marriage, life together, starting the WSJ column, WSJ column adventures and funny stories and experiences). All of this centers around their mutual love for wine and the experiences tasting it.
I love wine, and this story made me smile and laugh and feel really good. It also made me thirsty. :)
Read when you want a relaxing fun story, and have a nice glass of wine to sip along the way.
I love wine, and this story made me smile and laugh and feel really good. It also made me thirsty. :)
Read when you want a relaxing fun story, and have a nice glass of wine to sip along the way.
May 12, 2010
This book was recommended to me by my boss almost two years ago. It lived up to the hype. It was beautiful to trace Dottie and John's story through their wine consumption.
My only issue is that I just read the book. I didn't take note on wines or vineyards while reading and just figured that I would copy the index after I was finished and use it as a reference. Well, there was no index. I will have to get my information in another way.
My only issue is that I just read the book. I didn't take note on wines or vineyards while reading and just figured that I would copy the index after I was finished and use it as a reference. Well, there was no index. I will have to get my information in another way.
Shelved as 'quit-reading'
February 11, 2013The love story in this book was good. The connection between the authors leapt off the page. But a wine connoisseur I am not. The information and detail about nearly every glass of wine that the couple has ever drunk together, was very tedious.
If you are a wine connoisseur, and like all things wine, and are a sucker for a good love story, then this true story of the wine editors from the Wall Street Journal is for you!
If you are a wine connoisseur, and like all things wine, and are a sucker for a good love story, then this true story of the wine editors from the Wall Street Journal is for you!
May 1, 2009
This was recommended to me by a neighbor who read it for a book club; I enjoy wine, although I'm by no means a connoisseur, and thought that I would give it a try. The discussions about wine were interesting but weren't engaging and I found myself skimming the ruminations over certain wines, grapes and "bouquets"; what I found most interesting were the glimpses into their lives as journalists and personal lives. If you really love wine you might find this book more enjoyable that I did.
September 6, 2016
Do you enjoy wine? Then grab this book! By the time I finished it, I decided that I had to rethink by wine habits - Dottie and John encouraged me to try EVERYTHING and to give the wine time to become what it wants to be - in other words, keep sipping! And the two authors (journalists and wine columnists) gave hints on how to live a full life as a part of their story. What a delightful read - not without its sad moments, but with a nod to finding the good in everything!!
February 24, 2015
I adored this book. I laughed, I cried, I learned. It's romantic and inspiring and not at all snobbish. They have a very laid back, approachable writing style that invites you to get excited (and not nervous) about wine. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in wine (or, frankly, inspirational couples).
April 23, 2010
My wife loved this book and recommended it to me, but I have to admit that I just didn't get the same thing from it that she did. I wanted to learn about wine, and I did, but most of the book was really about the life story of the two authors. My wife tells me that I just don't understand romance, but I say that if I had wanted to read a romance novel, I'd have picked something else.
October 27, 2010
What a charming book! I recall really enjoying reading about the authors' exploration of and love for wine - including their honeymoon by train with a case of Taittinger champagne. I also recall being very annoyed by the fact that they both wrote in the first person, so the "I" could be Dorothy or John in alternating paragraphs. Apart from that, loved it.
March 14, 2011
My best friend bought this book for me...I think when I got engaged. I started it, but ended up re-starting and finishing it on my honeymoon. It was such a great book. I was hungry and craving wine. I soon grabbed a pen and starting underlining every great wine and restaurant in the book. There are MANY highlights!
January 13, 2017
I ADORE the books by this couple. The chapters offer a wonderfully accessilble way to learn about all wine varietals. The personal stories of the couple take away the dryness of many other wine books - it offered me a much better way to get a grounding in new types of wine.
February 22, 2008
Love wine and that is what drew me to this book. True story about a couple's romance through life by celebrating each moment (whether good or bad) with a glass of wine. Different wines for different times.
April 28, 2008
Only two stars because.... it is a wine snob's dream book hidden in a true story of love and life. The authors are a married couple working in the news industry that ABSOLUTELY share a passion for wine. So if you are interested in learning about wine it is worth your time.
October 17, 2010
Danette gave us this when we got married and I loved it. John and I read it together. We leave tomorrow for our trip to Napa and Sonoma where we honeymooned. Plan to drink a lot of wine and enjoy our time together.
July 24, 2012
This is a beautiful book. I read it with my husband when we were engaged. We still emulate some of the good ideas in here (like writing down our goals each year). It's a beautiful testament to love and life.
December 18, 2015
It is very wine intensive, but I loved their story. The couple wrote it in third person plus used "we" which was a little awkward, but you get used to it.
A really nice story and a great wine tutorial from two very gifted writers who are not remotely wine snobs.
A really nice story and a great wine tutorial from two very gifted writers who are not remotely wine snobs.
February 7, 2016
I enjoyed reading this book, even if it wasn't my favorite genre. It gave me a new appreciation for something I take for granted, and gave me new vocabulary to describe what I drink. It made me want to travel, slow down, talk more and worry less. That alone was reason enough to read it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews