Nothing is as heavenly to the palate as the perfect combination of food and wine, but the art of pairing can be tricky for the inexperienced. Knowing where to begin when selecting an accompanying wine is challenging.

In Harmony on the Palate, Shari Darling examines the guidelines for food and wine unions, and outlines the principles of a new, accessible generation of wine pairings. She pushes the boundaries of tradition, celebrating a culinary world of new cuisines, cooking techniques and ingredients.

The book breaks down old-fashioned conventions of food and wine pairings and provides an adventure for the palate. The book's first section establishes the building blocks for creating successful wine and food partnerships. The second section is a cookbook of Darling's own delicious, yet simple, recipes, each one matched with a complementing wine, such as:

• White Bean and Escarole Soup with a Light, Fruity Red
• Mozzarella and Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta with a Big Fat White
• Fiddlehead and Goat Cheese Flan with a Sour White
• Pure Unadulterated Chocolate Cake with a Sweet Wine

The book also contains useful harmony charts that list food affinities and enemies for each variety of grape. Harmony on the Palate is the perfect resource for both wine connoisseurs and wannabe's.