Red, White, and Drunk All Over

A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass

By: Natalie MacLean

Narrated by: Natalie MacLean

After three years of sipping, spitting, and slogging her way through bushy vine leaves and cellar cobwebs, award-winning writer Natalie MacLean takes listeners behind the scenes of the international wine world, exploring its history, visiting its most evocative places, and meeting some of its most charismatic personalities.

In Red, White, and Drunk All Over, Natalie travels to the ancient vineyards of Burgundy to uncover the secrets of the pinot noir, the "heartbreak grape" from which some of the most coveted and expensive wines in the world are made. She visits the labyrinthine cellars of Champagne to examine the myths and the mystique of luxury bubbly and the grandes dames who made it the drink of celebration the world over. She pulls on sturdy boots to help with the harvest at the vineyards of iconoclastic Californian winemaker Randall Grahm and goes undercover as sommelier for a night in a five-star restaurant with a wine list the thickness of a phone book. She looks at the influence of powerful critics, notably Robert Parker and Jancis Robinson, invites listeners into her dining room for an informal wine tasting, and compares collecting notes at a bacchanalian dinner with novelist Jay McInerney.

As funny and engaging as she is knowledgeable, Natalie has an unconventional wit, curiosity, and obsession with all things related to wine that make for a tour both amusing and informative, from grape to bottle to glass.

©2006, 2018 Natalie MacLean (P)2018 Natalie MacLean

Critic reviews

“A galloping read, which educates, entertains, and amuses…[Natalie] is the George Plimpton of wine writers....” (Ann Noble, professor of viticulture, University of California, Davis)

An informative, irreverent and fun listen

I was “introduced” to Natalie when she interviewed my favorite wine person. I subscribed to the podcast and decided to listen to the book. It’s a bit if a travelogue, a collection of useful tips and a fun introduction to wine. Natalie’s narration adds much to the experience - it’s like listening to a friend. Her honesty and candor are refreshing and she’s just plain fun. Knowing what wines to pair with take-out, fast food and a host of other dishes is a plus. All of her pairing recommendations and explanations are easy to understand. Thanks Natalie for a great listen.

Wine Lovers Will Approve

Wine is a part of my personal and professional life, so I’m always looking for books that are entertaining and informative. I feel Natalie does a good job appealing to both wine noobs and experts alike. There are a few sections that get mired in details which don’t really add value to the story, but overall it’s an entertaining book. She provides some good factoids that even the most diehard wine nerds may not know, yet also makes much of the material accessible for people just getting into enjoying wine.
I especially enjoyed the compare/contrast between Parker and Robinson since both are serious forces in shaping how wine is viewed and valued to this day.

3 Stars because only 3/5ths of the book is good

For a book about wine, the author seems to have run out of steam about 3/5th of the way through. The interview with Jay McInerney was a particular low.

Excellent Narration!

Great information and really good narration. I originally thought there was no way I could listen to 12 hours worth of a wine book but she’s got great tone and kept it interesting. Loved it!