A highly opinionated, vibrantly illustrated wine guide from one of the country’s most celebrated—and unorthodox—sommeliers and winemakers

In this entertaining, informative, and thoroughly unconventional wine guide, award-winning sommelier, winemaker, and wine educator André Mack presents readers with the 99 bottles that have most impacted his life. Instead of just pairing wines with foods, Mack pairs practical information with personal stories, offering up recommendations alongside reflections on being one of the only African-Americans to ever work at the top level of the American wine industry. The 99 bottles range from highly accessible commercial wines to the most rarefied Bordeaux on the wine list at The French Laundry, and each bottle offers readers something to learn about wine. This window into Mack’s life combines a maverick’s perspective on the wine industry with an insider’s advice on navigating wine lists, purchasing wine, and drinking more diverse and interesting selections at home. 99 Bottles is a one-of-a-kind exploration of wine culture today from a true trailblazer.

Review

If you are a newbie to wine and don’t know where to start, this book is what you need.  Andre Mack shares his life in wine starting with the ones we remember from our youth like Boone’s Farm (no?  just me?) and gradually growing in brands, type, and price as he worked in various restaurants and worked his way up as a sommelier in some high-end restaurants.

As I read through the various chapters, I noticed that not everything is wine in the book. There are some references to lagers, spirits, and more.  But each chapter reflects a different part of his life and what he was learning during those times to share with patrons and friends.  Because this is Andre’s life, he shares with the reader what his happening in his life from work to relationships and so much more.  I liked one of his comments from an earlier chapter that he didn’t need to tie up cash in wines he might drink later, but to drink them now and enjoy the wines, their flavors, and the experience.  That is so true with anything, don’t save it for later, enjoy and use those special items now.

A later chapter gave me a chuckle when he said that one of his greatest pleasures in life: really salty fries with old German Riesling.  I never would put the two together, but salty and sweet – yeah I can see that!

Andre has gone on to create his own line of wines and you can see those on his website (link below) and in the book he mentioned trading cards for wine but I’m not sure where you can find those (and no google search turned them up.)

Ultimately the best advice Andre has to give in regards to wine is this – “I want to empower you to trust your own palate, and to be your own judge of what tastes good to you”.

I recommend this book for anyone that wants to enjoy one man’s journey through wine and perhaps find your own joy in the wines you enjoy.

About Andre Mack

Despite having a successful career with Citicorp Investment Services, André Hueston Mack decided to leave his “desk job” to pursue his passion for wine. While working as a sommelier in San Antonio, Mack discovered the joys of introducing guests to the little known vineyards that first attracted him to the business and “the instant gratification of a guest’s reaction.” While still in Texas, Mack was awarded the prestigious title of Best Young Sommelier in America by the highly regarded Chaine des Rotisseurs. This recognition propelled him into the opportunity to work as a sommelier at Thomas Keller’s world-renowned The French Laundry in Yountville, California. Mack went on to accept the position of Head Sommelier at Keller’s equally famed Per Se in New York City, where he managed an 1800 selection award-winning wine list and consulted with Chef Keller on menu and pairing development regularly. Winemaking has always been a dream of his and came to fruition when he set up shop under the moniker of Maison Noir Wines. Throughout his career, Mack has forged unique relationships with luminary growers and winemakers from around the planet. It is with this prestigious group that Mack currently creates his wines.

Mack has been featured in major publications, such as Food and Wine, Wine & Spirits Magazine, The New York Times, Women’s Health, Ebony, and Wall Street Journal. Mr. Mack was honored in 2007 with The Network Journal’s 40-Under-Forty Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to business. Mack is a zealous wine educator who has been invited to host seminars as well as conduct panel discussions at numerous esteemed food and wine events. He enjoys sharing his fondness of wine with others.

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