Duncan McBride was a London wine merchant who published this book as an advertisement for his shop. The book provides a brief overview of the types of wine available in England at the end of the eighteenth century. It describes the taste and colour of various wines and their production, remarking that Spanish wines were by far the best in Europe (although, in his opinion, the Spanish themselves did not care and preferred to mix several types of wine where needed). It also reports on the health benefits of wine, with testimonies from doctors and former patients to affirm his suggestions.

By far the best wine to drink at social gatherings, or when sick, was a Spanish wine, Toc-kay de Espagna (possibly a white Rioja) from La Mancha. For which McBride coincidentally specialised in selling. This wine apparently was incredibly affective at curing nervousness, dropsy, scurvy, fever and was even reputed to increase longevity.

This book formed a part of George IV's library at Carlton House.