Whether you're just looking for a book to learn the basics about wine or you're really hooked into the stuff, this is the best book there is -trust me; I own quite a library on the subject. Better to spend your money wisely and once than to throw it away later on ten cheap sales (that goes for wine too!).This book is as simple or as researched as you need it to be. Not only that, it's a very beautiful edition (makes a nice coffee table item). And if you really enjoy it, I suggest you also get Mrs. Robinson's funny DVD "Understanding Wine" (no, not "The Graduate", you wino!).Cheers!