John Kapon Releases THE COMPENDIUM: TASTING THE WORLD'S FINEST WINES - VOLUME I

The exclusive world of fine and rare wine has a definitive new collection - The Compendium: Tasting the World's Finest Wines - Volume I by John Kapon, CEO of Acker Merrall & Condit, the world's largest fine and rare wine auction house and America's oldest wine merchant.

Over the past decade, renowned wine expert John Kapon has tasted the world's finest wines in the company of the greatest wine collectors and legendary producers. He has annotated each of these unforgettable moments, all in the world's most compelling cities and settings, through endless notes scribbled across yellow legal pads.

Featuring hundreds of tasting notes beautifully illustrated with dozens of photos of the world's greatest estates and vineyards, The Compendium provides an insider's glimpse into the exclusive world of fine wine. From an unprecedented Château Margauxdinner held on The Great Wall of China to an over-the-top New Year's Eve with the world's renowned champagne expert Richard Julian, "JK" takes us on an unforgettable journey into wine's greatest moments, described in a manner that only John Kapon could or would write.

The Compendium is not only a collection of his vibrant yellow-pad notes on iconic wines and one-of-a-kind experiences, but also a subtle perspective on the classic American success story. Kapon built his family business on Manhattan's Upper West Side into the world's largest rare and fine wine auction house, a global enterprise fueled by his passion for the greatest wines ever made. That fervor is captured in the pages of The Compendium.

"This is a book about love, really. My passion for sharing great wine with great people is the driver behind everything that I do," said John Kapon. "I have been creating and conducting great wine events as long as I have been able to drink, and I consider myself blessed in my experiences - I only wish I could share every experience that I have ever had. I know I will be truly successful when I am able to share every note about every wine that I taste. This book is my first attempt to formally share some of these truly amazing moments, as well as hopefully provide collectors a look into how the mature wines of the world are changing and developing. To me, there is nothing better than aged wine."

To learn more about The Compendium: Tasting the World's Finest Wines - Volume I ($75, Fine Wine Editions) or to purchase a copy, visit finewinebook.com.

John Kapon is CEO of Acker Merrall & Condit. Since joining the Company in 1994, Mr. Kapon, the third generation of his family to lead Acker, has brought a uniquely personal approach to an industry often viewed as conservative and cold. In the ensuing years, under his direction, Acker has provided a newly personable and pleasurable experience of wine, gaining the trust and confidence of a loyal, ever-growing global community of fine and rare wine collectors, many among the most prominent in the world.

Founded in 1820, Acker Merrall & Condit is America's oldest fine wine merchant and the world's largest wine auction house. With affiliates in New York, Chicago and Hong Kong, the companies hold more than fifteen auctions a year, including Internet auctions. They are devoted to helping their customers buy and sell the best wines, and also to sharing with them the experience of enjoying wine. In recent years, the company has greatly expanded its services to education, tastings and the formation of wine clubs. Starting out as a family business, three generations of the Kapon family have been dedicated to bringing the best from the vine to their customers.