J.P. Bary is a New York based lawyer and financial advisor who enjoys unraveling complicated issues. One of the issues that's fascinated him over the years is why people find it so difficult to get comfortable with wine. Part of the problem seems to be that with any subject as complicated as wine, the gap between what experts and ordinary consumers know is so great that it's hard for them to communicate with each other. Other wine buffs often told J.P. that the people who had been most helpful to them in learning about wine had been members of their families, friends and other non-experts. So he began talking to people to find out what they found most confusing about wine and what helped them the most once they learned it.
As it turned out, there was a significant disparty between what professionals are trained to say and what people find it most useful to know. After years of discussions and observations, J.P. identified a number of key mistakes that a majority of wine consumers make repeatedly. He also took careful notes on the numerous disparities between what wine professionals mean and what those who haven't become immersed in the lore and language of wine understand. The Persistent Observer's Guide to Wine shows people how to avoid these mistakes, understand what the pro's are trying to say and become proficient much more quickly. Rather than concentrating only on teaching readers more about wine, the book focuses on what they most need to know (or forget) about their own interactions with wine, so they can get the most out of every wine experience.
In his own explorations of wine, J.P. has benefitted from being part of a family involved in making, distributing and marketing wine for centuries. He's travelled widely in the world's wine regions and counts many growers, winemakers, importers, distributors and retailers among his friends. An avid reader of books, articles and blogs on wine, he conducted extensive interviews with wine consumers at all levels in order to find out what they need to hear that hasn't already been said.
