Wines Books

Book SynopsisThis book is a fully updated amalgamation of two previously published titles - Growing Vines (1972) and Wines from your Vines (1974). It is concise, yet detailed, and covers all aspects from planting the vines through cropping and vinification to enjoying the final product. The quality of English wine is constantly improving and this book will help the amateur to produce high-quality wine from home-grown grapes providing the right varieties are used and the simple rules followed.Table of ContentsIntroduction. History of Vine Growing in England. Vine Varieties. Site Soil and Spacing. Planting, Training and Pruning. Vine Pests and Maladies. Propagation. Vines in Pots or Tubs. Vines under Glass or Plastic. Winery and Cellar. Vintage. Preparation of the Must. Fermentation. Stabilisation and Preparation of the Bottle. Bottling, Maturing and Storage. Dessert, Sparkling and Pomace Wine. Suppliers. Bibliography. Conversion Tables. Useful Adresses.

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Book SynopsisIn the recent years, Cava has taken the stage as Spain’s star sparkling wine, not only thanks to its remarkable quality to price ratio, but also because more and more connoisseurs are recognizing its richness and complexity. This book offers a great overview of the Cava’s origins, its elaboration, and its variety of tastes. You will learn all you need to know about the grapes, the traditional methods, as well as established and emerging premium Cava producers. Recipes of traditional Catalonian dishes that perfectly accompany a Cava dinner round off this concise, but very informative book.

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Book SynopsisOz Clarke is recognized the world over as one of the leading experts on wine and this new book, Oz Clarke's World of Wine, is an entertaining yet authoritative guide to the world of wine that has grown out of all recognition in the last 20 years. The book covers all you need to know about Oz’s favourite wines, grapes and top vineyards and wine regions. In his trademark lively and opinionated prose, Oz takes the reader on a 'grand tour' of the great wine regions of the world, explaining the flavours behind different wines and how to find the wine you want, from Vancouver Island in the west to the coast of China in the east. He will inspire the reader to be adventurous in his choices of wines to drink and to make the best of the wonderful world of wine. Illustrated with photographs of stunning wine landscapes and detailed, maps of key wine countries and regions, this book illustrates and explains the vital connections between wine and its landscape. Fundamental to the understanding of wine is a sense of place – knowing which country, which region, which hillside and which vineyard a wine comes from adds enormously to the pleasure of drinking it.

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Book SynopsisOz uses his trademark wit and irreverent style to teach you the basics of wine appreciation and show you how to get more out of a bottle of wine, and find out what is really inside. Have you ever gone into your local wine shop or looked at the wine list in your local bar and thought with a sense of panic ‘Help, what do I choose?’… What sort of wine do I fancy today? A refreshing white? A summery red to take on a picnic or a spicy wine to go with a winter’s stew?’ Well, Oz is here to help. Split into sections covering basics (wine at a glance, good grape guide, wine styles, from grape to glass and quick guide to countries); practical stuff (what the label tells you, the canny wine buyer, essential kit, serving and keeping wine); and becoming a wine geek (tasting wine, starting your own collection, finding out more and quick guide to names in wine). Oz will be your guide through the world of fascinating flavours and help you find the sort of wine you enjoy drinking. Dip into this book and you will find a quick, accessible guide to wine styles: what is warm and spicy or chewy and blackcurranty? He recommends wines to try; and explains what the label tells you about the taste and quality of the wine and whether it is any good or not. Soon you will be confident enough to choose between flavoursome reds such as Shiraz or Pinot Noir, and refreshing whites from Alberiño to Sauvignon Blanc. The book is divided into short, easy to read topics, with recommended wines to try covering all styles and flavours. Now is the moment to grab that glass, learn about what is inside that bottle and taste while you read…

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Book Synopsis Fully revised and updated by Oz, with new entries on key wineries, vineyards and producers from around the country. ‘It's brilliant. Exactly what's wanted. -’ Hugh Johnson One of the great pleasures of wine is to drink it where it is grown and made. The opportunity to meet growers, winemakers and winery owners is what draws people to visit wineries and to ‘have an experience in the vineyard’. This is your essential guide to find out about England and its world beating sparklers and still wines that have captivated the wine world. The modern view of English wine is of a country amazingly blessed with vast tracts of soil suitable for viticulture, much of it almost indistinguishable from the chalky slopes of Champagne and Chablis, and of a country taking full advantage of the vagaries of climate change to ripen Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to levels perfect for sparkling wine, and increasingly excellent still wines. this book helps you find the best English and Welsh wines, from fizz, whites, some impressive reds and even dessert and orange wines. The book includes:–Exciting Times How it used to be; The Nyetimber effect; Climate: is it almost perfect now?; Location is key; Plantinglike made; A question of style: sparkling or still; and Grape varieties: a race to the top.–British Bubbles What is needed to make good fizz; Champagne, the original fizz; Bubbles and how they’re created.–A Tour Of the Regions – covers personal experiences and reflections from Oz's many years of visiting talented and passionate producers up and down the country. From Yorkshire to the far west of Cornwall and across to Wales, a small but dynamic part of the UK's wine movement, Oz recommends wines he has enjoyed and found interesting and encourages you to try for yourself.Trade Review‘Our greatest wine writer is on typically sparkling form…wonderfully nerdish at times but never less than brilliant.’ – Matt Nixson, Daily Express ‘Drink Books 2022’ ‘This book could never have been written 20 years ago. Anyone keen for an inside scoop on the home-grown wine revolution going on beneath our noses will find this an engaging and enlightening read!’ – Giles Kime – (Country Life) 'The writing sparkles and delights, much like a glass of south coast fizz…a great source of wine inspiration.' – Sunday Telegraph ‘It’s wonderful. A blend of wine and love filtered through Betjeman and Larkin.’ - Joe Fattorini 'Utterly riveting and brilliant in a way that only Oz knows how to be…' – Victoria Moore ‘Oz Clarke OBE is the nearest thing to genius in the world of wine writing.’ – Harpers

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Book SynopsisPeter Vinding-Diers is a Danish aristocrat turned roving winemaker who, on escaping his studies at the Sorbonne one summer found himself on Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, suddenly besotted. Peter’s first foray into wine took him to the Cape (via a quick turn parachuting into the war-zone in Vietnam), where he learned vineyard ways and wine science. Next came a dazzling decade in Bordeaux, where his pioneering exploits began to catch the world’s attention. He then ventured to Bulgaria, Brazil, Spain, Chile and Hungary earning himself the title ‘Flying Winemaker’ (he was one of the first!). Along his wine journey, Peter has frequently had to call on his Viking ancestors for help – not least in taming his ‘Montecarrubo’ vineyards on the wilder side of Sicily – but whether by accident or by design (mostly the latter), he has always found himself at the forefront of vinous discovery…Trade Review"The Académie du Vin Library is an important publication of wine literature… every work is a must for wine lovers." - Weinseller Journal

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Book Synopsis"Hands down the wine book of the year." —David McIntyre, Washington Post "...paints a glorious picture of Bordeaux as seen through the skittish and mischievously observant eyes of Somerville and Ross - cousins and writing partners." —Victoria Moore, The Telegraph Journeying through the Medoc in the autumn of 1891, Anglo-Irish cousins and travelling companions, Edith Somerville and Martin Ross (aka Violet Florence Martin) bring their distinctive mélange of wry wit, acute observation and unabashed horror at the barefoot treading of Cabernet Sauvignon to this delightful account of vendangeurs lofty and low-born as they bring in the harvest in time-honoured fashion. Illustrated using Somerville’s equally delightful sketches, this is a story of two feisty ladies for whom anything remotely pretentious is fair game. Better known for their tales of an Irish R. M. (resident magistrate), Somerville and Ross outraged their respective families – who referred to them ‘the Shockers’ – by combining travel writing with the fight for Women’s Suffrage. The contrast between the emancipated pair and the largely unreconstructed characters they encounter on their travels only serves to heighten the charm of an already indelibly charming book. The Classic Editions breathe new life into some of the finest wine-related titles written in the English language over the last 150 years. Although these books are very much products of their time – a time when the world of fine wine was confined mostly to the frontiers of France and the Iberian Peninsula and a First Growth Bordeaux or Grand Cru Burgundy wouldn’t be beyond the average purse – together they recapture a world of convivial, enthusiastic amateurs and larger-than-life characters whose love of fine vintages mirrored that of life itself. Trade Review"The Académie du Vin Library is an important publication of wine literature… every work is a must for wine lovers." - Weinseller Journal"Written in the first person, it paints a glorious picture of Bordeaux as seen through the skittish and mischievously observant eyes of Somerville and Ross - cousins and writing partners." - Victoria Moore, The Telegraph"Hands down the wine book of the year." - David McIntyre, Washington PostTable of ContentsForeword by Hugh Johnson Introduction by Victoria Moore Chapters 1-11 Extract from Wayward Tendrils of the Vine

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Book Synopsis"Veteran wine books are by modern standards short on facts." — Decanter Magazine "This is an inspirational book well worth your time." — Eric Asimov on Instagram "If you want to learn about wine, switch off your phone, buy these two books and enjoy them with a nice glass of something." — The Critic "This is a don’t-miss book for people who plan their travels around vineyards." — Washington Post "This is one of the best books on wine ever written." — Sommelier India In this unique approach to understanding wine, Hugh Johnson, the world’s best-loved wine author, weaves the story of his own epic wine journey with an embracing view of everything he has discovered along the way. Almost without realising it, the reader is drawn into a fascinating world; with each page turned, knowledge is gained and wine wisdom absorbed. Hugh takes us from the teetering ledges of the Mosel and majestic châteaux of the Médoc to the sylvan slopes of Windsor Great Park with a spring in his step and a tasting glass at the ready. No one writes so infectiously on every aspect of wine, whether human or cultural, technical or historical. This book is peppered with anecdotes and personal recollections, infused with the sheer delight Hugh finds in his subject. It is a book with a story to tell and a mastery of wine to impart. Previously published as Wine, A Life Uncorked 2005, now updated with new chapters.Trade Review"Veteran wine books are by modern standards short on facts." - Decanter Magazine"This is an inspirational book well worth your time." - Eric Asimov, Instagram"...he learnt early how to write with an easy, flowing (sometimes flowery, but always precise) style that’s a joy to read." - Club Enologique"This is a new edition of Johnson’s “memoir written with a corkscrew”. It has been “modestly edited and gently updated,” as Eric Asimov writes in the Foreword, and Johnson’s lucid, evocative prose shines as brightly as ever." - Falstaff"If you want to learn about wine, switch off your phone, buy these two books and enjoy them with a nice glass of something." - The Critic"This is a don’t-miss book for people who plan their travels around vineyards." - Washington Post"It is an absolute joy to read Johnson’s writing. It’s not only that he is exquisitely articulate, playing words as a maestro violinist might play Bach’s Chaconne. It is that he finds so much joy in wine. He is an incurable romantic, an optimist, infectiously enthusiastic, infinitely curious." - Tamlyn Currin, Jancis RobinsonA Decanter best wine book of the year 2022: "Two new chapters – on digestifs and sparkling wines – make it compulsory purchase, even for owners of the previous edition." - Decanter"This is one of the best books on wine ever written." - Sommelier India"Hugh Johnson said recently that his career happened more or less accidentally. The Life and Wines of Hugh Johnson... is his memoirs but framed as a voyage around his cellar, the cellar being that at Saling Hall, the house he bought in 1970." - The World of Fine WineTable of ContentsForeword Preface Part One - Prospects Part Two - Bubbly Part Three - White Part Four - Red Part Five - Sweet Part Six - Digestif Index

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Book Synopsis"From a historical point of point, the book is fascinating... From a literary point of view, it’s eloquent ... If you’re a Bordeaux wine collector with deep pockets and a large cellar, it’s invaluable." —Tamlyn Currin, Jancis Robinson "Associations and societies such as the Bordeaux Club are the very acme of civilization. Botticelli and Bach were engaged in the eternal quest for truth and beauty in painting and music, and the Bordeaux Club did the same for viniculture." — Andrew Roberts "For lovers of claret - indeed, all wine - this can only be described as a drool-inducing book." — World of Fine Wine The story of 12 friends who gathered to share and celebrate the extraordinary wines of Bordeaux. Like-minded in their love of wine, they differed wildly (often alarmingly!) in their personal wealth, life and circumstances – their opinions, always voiced, had the power to ignite anger and divide friendships just as easily as they bound them together. Neil McKendrick, member and minute-taker for 57 of the Club’s 70 extraordinary years, weaves the tale of this convivial group with the rigour of a Cambridge academic (he is ex-Master of Gonville and Caius) and the humour of a born raconteur. Alongside the likes of Hugh Johnson, Steven Spurrier and Michael Broadbent, he celebrates the beauty of top-class Bordeaux and the splendour of each setting – from glorious country park to rickety Dickensian boardroom – in which these men were lucky enough to dine, serving up memories of vintages the like of which we will never see again.Trade Review"From a historical point of point, the book is fascinating... From a literary point of view, it’s eloquent ... If you’re a bordeaux wine collector with deep pockets and a large cellar, it’s invaluable." - Tamlyn Currin, Jancis Robinson"Written by historian Neil McKendrick, this is the true story of a group of male friends – including wine writers Hugh Johnson, Steven Spurrier and Michael Broadbent, and Neil himself – united by their love of claret." - Decanter"...a quite remarkable book... For students of this period and for future historians, this will be essential reading." - World of Fine Wine"For lovers of claret - indeed, all wine - this can only be described as a drool-inducing book." - World of Fine Wine

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Book SynopsisEastern Europe is the last undiscovered gem of the wine world. Over the last thirty years three countries, Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova have been working hard to escape the legacy of communism. For all three the regimes that took hold after the Second World War affected their wine industries profoundly, with state farms favouring mechanization and mass production over care and quality. Recent decades have seen a huge switch in attitudes following privatization, with more focus on quality and reconnecting people with the land to rebuild these historic wine industries for today’s wine drinkers. Bulgarian wine’s fall in sales in the West due to the rising popularity of New World wines, Moldova’s economic crisis at the hands of a Russian ban on Moldovan wine and Romania’s need to counter imports from foreign producers as tastes in wine change have forced wineries to rethink their approaches to viticulture and winemaking. Instead of production lines of anonymous wines, makers now focus on creating authentic regional wines using local and international varieties and modern techniques. In The wines of Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova, Eastern European wine expert Caroline Gilby MW presents the wine stories of these three connected but distinct countries as one who has witnessed the vast changes as they happened. The cultures of the three countries, their complex and troubled histories and their roads to recovery are profiled here along with details of the geography, climate, grapes grown and, most importantly, the producers working to revive and reinvent their respective wine industries. For those who seek something new beyond the traditional wines of Western Europe or who find New World wines losing their thrill The Wines of Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova is an inspirational introduction to a wine world waiting to be explored.Trade ReviewThis is an inspirational book, dealing with all aspects of winemaking in these three countries and inciting us all to try the wines and visit the countries. In fact, I’m off to Romania later this month – to do just that! - Colin Harkness, Colin Harkness on WineLet me recommend Caroline Gilby’s new book. The stories she tells ... are fascinating. She writes with style and authority. I’m very impressed. - Mike Veseth, The Wine EconomistOne of the most unflinchingly honest wine books I have ever read. This is the kind of book that can be written only by someone who has worked with the regions for 30 years, cares deeply about them, wants to see them thrive, but also sees and has the courage to point out what is wrong. She is not afraid to be critical … but at no point do you get a sense of someone trying to expose vulnerabilities for a good storyline. Instead, everything about the book reads a bit like tough love. Gilby has the piercing insight of someone with a scientist's brain and a mother's heart. - Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com

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Book SynopsisVolcanic vineyards listed as UNESCO World Heritage, a peace wine blending over 600 varieties from around the world, vines standing 15 metres tall in Italy and Portugal, ice wines from Quebec, a wine from the Gobi desert, Taiwan's huge yields, harvesting on 31 December, classical music among the vines, a Bordeaux made with dry ice, a sparkling wine for disgorging at home. This book features the viticultural techniques of many countries; they are far enough off the radar to delight anyone who loves originality and hates standardization. The book covers eight topics: Climates, Terroirs, Grape varieties, Work in the vineyard, Winemaking, Colour, Ageing, Packaging.

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Book SynopsisExplore the places where the wine is original with this beautiful coffee-table book, Atlas of Unusual Wines. This Atlas takes you on a journey to destinations across the planet where the wines are far enough off the radar to delight anyone who loves to uncover an unusual wine. Volcanic vineyards listed as UNESCO World Heritage, a “peace wine” blending over 600 varieties from around the world, vines standing 15 metres tall in Intaly and Portugal, ice wines from Quebec, a wine from the Gobi desert, Taiwan’s huge yields, harvesting on 31 December, classical music among the vines, a Bordeaux made with dry ice, a sparkling wine for disgorgement at home … This book features the viticultural techniques of many countries;they are far enough off the radar to delight anyone who loves originality and hates standardisation. Discover a world of unusual wines from the comfort of your own home with this fascinating Atlas of Unusual Wines.

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Book SynopsisThe iconic champagne house guides readers through the fascinating history of Maison Veuve Clicquot, its heritage, savoir-faire and cultural imprint through iconic objects, advertising, music, literature, and movies. On the occasion of its 250th anniversary, Veuve Clicquot imagined Solaire Culture, its first traveling exhibition on a global scale. This non-museal, immersive and 100% feminine exhibition aims to establish a compelling dialogue between past and present, interpreted through the eyes of internationally renowned women artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Sheila Hicks, Monique Frydman and Tacita Dean. It also showcases the striking contemporary artwork specially commissioned for the occasion as well as documents from the House''s archives. Author Monica Sabolo retraces the life of Madame Clicquot - Barbe Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, a tireless optimist and an audacious trailblazer who revolutionized the world of champagne with three major inventions still in use today. English edition.

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Book SynopsisLanzarote wines are something of a miracle born out of the islanders' ability to adapt to the harsh environmental conditions and devastation wrought by the volcanic eruptions that beset the island in the 18th century. It is because of these extraordinary circumstances and unique method of grape cultivation that Lanzarote wines boast their excellent quality and special nuances. This book offers historical and practical information about a method of viticulture which has sculpted Lanzarote's landscape for the last three hundred years, creating sustainable regions such as La Geria with its unparalleled natural beauty. This book also offers valuable insight into the social, cultural and natural aspects of the region that are unlike anywhere else in the world. Lanzarote wine is a miracle of adaptation to the volcanic tragedy of the 18th century and extreme natural conditions.

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Book SynopsisCelebrate your love of classic Disney animated films and make your kitchen magical with this comprehensive cookbook, inspired by beloved Disney films from 1937 to now, including Fantasia, Mulan, and more, and a beautiful exclusive apron packaged in a deluxe gift box.Experience delicious dishes inspired by your favorite Disney animated films from 1937 to now with Disney: Cooking Through the Decades! Featuring Disney’s classic films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Encanto, fans will delight in the enchanting, easy-to-prepare recipes in this cookbook, from magical main courses to delectable desserts. Featuring beautiful full-color photography, helpful cooking tips, and recipes ranging from simple to advanced, this cookbook is perfect for home cooks of all skill levels. Filled with delicious recipes inspired by beloved Disney films over the decades, this cookbook is a must-have for adult Disney fans and is the perfect way to bring friends and family together with a little Disney magic. The comprehensive cookbook gift set comes complete with an exclusive apron packaged in a deluxe gift box. EXCLUSIVE APRON: Unavailable anywhere else, this high-quality, adjustable apron features a beautiful Disney image and a handy pocket COMPLETE OFFICIAL COOKBOOK: Includes the complete Disney: Cooking Through the Decades cookbook 80+ RECIPES: With over 80 recipes inspired by classic Disney animated films, from The Aristocats to Treasure Planet and cuisines from all over the word, there’s something to delight everyone BEAUTIFULLY BOXED: The cookbook and apron are presented in a beautiful box: easy to wrap and give for birthdays, weddings, showers, or as a thoughtful gift for the Disney fan anytime INSPIRING IMAGES: Full-color photos of completed dishes help ensure success! ADD TO YOUR DISNEY COLLECTION: Pair a meal from Disney: Cooking Through the Decades with recipes from Insight Editions’ delightful line of Disney cookbooks, including Tim Burton''s The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Official Cookbook and Entertaining Guide, Disney Villains: Devilishly Delicious Cookbook, Entertaining with Disney, and Disney Princess: Healthy Treats Cookbook

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Book SynopsisBoth beer and wine have histories spanning thousands of years. This is the first book to compare them from the perspectives of history, technology, the market for each, and the effect that they have on human health and nutrition.Trade Review"Wine results from a shaky art, beer from a stately science asserts Charles Bamforth who guides the reader through the history and production of both from vine to vintage, and barley to beer bubbles. So why is it that in countries such as the United States wine is revered as sophisticated and beer dismissed as common? In pondering such questions Grape vs. Grain offers humorous as well as penetrating insights into two of the world's favorite beverages." –Kenneth Kiple, Author of A Movable Feast"Which do you prefer, Beer or Wine? Irrespective of your response, this highly entertaining and informative text is a valued reference for wine and beer aficionados. It will give you a much better insight and appreciation of both. Charlie Bamforth, Chair Department of Food Science and Technology and Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Malting and Brewing Sciences, is well qualified to discuss wine and beer. It is obvious which one is his first love, but he demonstrates impressive knowledge and profound respect for professionals in both fields and their efforts. He has comparable disdain for inferior products, tacky marketing ploys, and intemperate consumption. He rightfully laments beer's second class image and presents compelling counter arguments. From the history and tradition to modern developments and health benefits--both good and bad--Charlie provides a fascinating, reasonably objective comparison of beer and wine. The complex technical details (more so beer than wine) are presented in easily understandable language; even the lay reader can grasp the whys and wherefore from raw material to consumption. There's an instructive mix of technology, history, geography, sociology, medicine, economics, even politics. So be it beer or wine, using Charlie's guidelines for selection and tasting, savor your favorite - slowly, thoughtfully, and in moderation. But don't neglect the alternate beverage or unfamiliar styles; you'll learn much and be pleasantly surprised." - Robert Bates, University of Florida"Many great books have been written about wine, and many about beer, but until now there has been no comprehensive work comparing the two. Charles Bamforth’s Grapes and Grain delves into the social history and technology of both wine and beer, and out of this yeasty mix, provocative insights flow. Bamforth gives the edge to brewed beverages, but wine connoisseurs will be fascinated, and everybody will enjoy his infectious enthusiasm." - Andrew F. Smith, Editor in chief, The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink"Grape vs. Grain offers a thorough, comparative look at mankind’s two most beloved and culturally significant beverages that will surely change the mind of anyone who thinks of beer as wine’s less-sophisticated ‘poor relation’. Charles Bamforth’s jovial approach to the subject is as clean and refreshing as a Blanche de Bruges on a hot summer day. Not only did I learn a lot from this book, I enjoyed reading it too; I’d love to sit down and share a pint with its author!" -Alan Tardi, Author of Romancing the Vine (Winner of the 2006 James Beard Best Wine and Spirits Book)"...readers will find that the book presents a wealth of interesting material that will correct a number of common myths about the subject of beer and wine." Agricultural History, David Hanson, University of North-Carolina- Chapel Hill"...good in covering the technical side of both wine making and beer brewing..." -GastronomicaTable of Contents1. Beer and wine: some social commentary; 2. A brief history of wine; 3. A brief history of beer; 4. How wine is made; 5. How beer is made; 6. The quality of wine; 7. The quality of beer; 8. Types of wine; 9. Types of beer; 10. The healthfulness of wine and beer; 11. Conclusions about beer and wine - and the future.

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Book SynopsisSupermarket wines now win Gold Medals in International Challenge. Best Wines in the Supermarket identifies these superior wines often at bargain prices. It provides the tasting and style notes for readers to use in finding what they enjoy. Now that supermarkets deliver Internet wine orders, you need a guide through the wide range they offer.

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Book SynopsisAn inspirational guide designed with the globe-trotting wine lover in mind--vineyards to visit, seasons to go, vintages and organics to drink, and how to get the most out of each wine region.The adventures featured in this atmospherically illustrated book will fuel the wine lover''s imagination with an almost endless array of vineyard visits, must-see sights, and must-do events--harvest festivals, vineyard picnics, wine-region weekends, tasting tours, wine-focused restaurants.Designed to highlight the world''s most rewarding wine destinations, this guide spans the spectrum from traditional (a wine luncheon in Bordeaux or touring Portugal''s port lodges) to fun and quirky. Some ideas are active--a cycling tour of the Champagne region or grape stomping in the Italian countryside--while others are more urban, such as a tour of Vienna''s summer wine gardens or Rome''s iconic enotecas. Sidebar panels throughout detail what makes each region special and include lisTrade Review"Holiday gift guide : Umm, hello! Yes, I know the dreaded ‘Rona put the kibosh on my and many folks travel plans. I canceled a surprise fall Paris trip for my mom’s birthday and put the brakes on a planned Oregon wine trip. But we can still dream – and start planning! This book covers an amazing 1,000 wine adventures from regions around the world. It covers everything from winery and vineyard tours to where to stay and eat to where to shop. It also gives you some cultural and historical context as well which is a nice touch." — THE CORKSCREW CONCIERGE"Still upset that your wine tasting tour through Tuscany was cancelled? This book gives you the chance to add a few new places to that trip (and many more ideas) for when the time is right." —THE WINE CHEF

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Book SynopsisCountry & Townhouse's Best Book for Christmas, 2018A delectable anthology celebrating the finest writing on wine.In this richly literary anthology, Jay McInerney - bestselling novelist and acclaimed wine columnist for Town & Country, the Wall Street Journal and House and Garden - selects over twenty pieces of memorable fiction and nonfiction about the making, selling and, of course, drinking of fine wine.Including excerpts from novels, short fiction, memoir and narrative nonfiction, Wine Reads features big names in the trade and literary heavyweights alike. We follow Kermit Lynch to the Northern Rhône, while long-time New Yorker writer A. J. Liebling raises feeding and imbibing on a budget in Paris into something of an art form. Michael Dibdin's fictional Venetian detective Aurelio Zen gets a lesson in Barolo, Barbaresco and Brunello vintages from an eccentric celebrity, and writer and gourmet Joseph Wechsberg visits the medieval Château d'Yquem to sample different years of the roi des vins. Also showcasing an iconic scene from Rex Pickett's Sideways and work by Jancis Robinson, Roald Dahl, Auberon Waugh and McInerney himself, this is an essential volume for any disciple of Bacchus.Trade ReviewOne of the most gifted writers of his generation...whatever he does makes fascinating reading. * Observer *No contemporary author quite matches Jay McInerney. * Mail on Sunday *A scabrously scintillating stylist. * Guardian *His wine judgments are sound, his anecdotes witty and his literary references impeccable. * New York Times *The best wine writer in America. * Salon *

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Book SynopsisDiscover the delicious world of white wine with profiles of all the must-know varieties and styles, from Albarino to Viognier, and dive deep into popular favourites, such as Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. Peppered with engaging facts and figures, each chapter surveys one grape or style, featuring all-inclusive at-a-glance information that tells you what to expect in the glass, suggested food pairings and recommended wines, from cheerful bargains to worthy splurges. Detailed essays offer capsule histories of each variety or style, including its origins, favoured growing conditions, notable countries that produce it and typical characteristics. Winemakers and other industry experts share their wisdom alongside gorgeous photography that brings the regions, vineyards, grapes and bottles vividly to life. Complete with a handy checklist to track the delectable wines that you taste, White Wine is the perfect resource to help you enjoy the best white wines in the world.

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Book SynopsisA Year in the Vineyard is a tribute to the cycle of the vine. From winter pruning to vine leaves capturing the energy of the late autumn sun, the narrative is spun through vignettes about activities in vineyards around the globe, accompanied by photographs and background paintings. The book honours seasonal rhythms and rituals without glossing over potential risks, such as hail piercing acres of nascent chardonnay in Champagne or wildfires in the Napa Valley. The hope is that each spread captures a gesture, a step in a dance with the natural world, thus providing an experiential understanding of the axiom wine is made in the vineyard' and of the notion that fine wines are achieved in tandem with nature, not through triumph over the elements. It also shows wine growers as operating on the front line of the climate crisis, posing questions and offering potential remedies in response to the earth's changing ecology.

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Book SynopsisAs the fourth largest producer of wine in the world, California could easily be written about in multiple regional installments, but here California wine expert Elaine Chukan Brown presents serious readers and students of wine with a single concise, complete, smartly delivered and cohesive book on the subject. The book is divided into three major sections. The first presents the key ideas that help make sense of California wine as a whole, including the history of California wine in brief, how the topography delivers California's overarching climatic and soil conditions, and the basics of vineyard and winery factors relevant to the state. The large middle section of the book examines each of the California wine regions in turn. The focus through this regional section is on the growing conditions within the particular region, varietal trends, how location has factored into each region''s historical development, and how to differentiate the recognised American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) within the region. Key facts are summarised in easy-reference boxes within the text. Significant producers who have had an influence on the development of the region are discussed and highlighted in the body of the text as well as featuring in a quick-reference box at the end of each chapter. In the third major section Chukan Brown takes an analytical look at the industry now and by looking at key themes that have emerged in the industry examines what the future may hold for Californian wines.

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Book SynopsisThis 41st edition of the authoritative South African wine guide features 211 Five Star wines out of over 8,000 wines reviewed. Platter's features descriptions of over 900 producers across the vibrant wine regions of South Africa and also offers the 100-point equivalents for the familiar star ratings, as well as useful information for learning about and travelling in these beautiful wine lands. The guide's independent ratings and reviews are the result of a best-of-both-worlds system of sighted and blind tastings.

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Book SynopsisItalian Wines is the English-language version of Gambero Rosso's Vini d'Italia, the world's best-selling guide to Italian wine. It is the result of a year's work by over 60 tasters, coordinated by three curators. They travel around the entire country to taste 45,000 wines, only half of which make it into the guide. More than 2,500 producers have been selected. Each entry brings together useful information about the winery, including a description of its most important labels and price levels in Italian wine shops. Each wine is evaluated according to the Gambero Rosso bicchieri rating, with Tre Bicchieri awarded to the top labels. The guide is an essential tool for both wine professionals and passionate amateurs around the globe: it provides the instruments for finding one's way in the complex panorama of Italy's wine world.

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Book SynopsisNaturalness is a hot topic in the wine world. But what exactly is a "natural wine"? In this title, the authors explore the wide range of issues surrounding authenticity in wine. It discusses topics including cultured and wild yeasts, wine "faults," the carbon footprint of the wine industry, "natural" as a marketing concept, and more.Trade Review"A very good book... One of the more balanced and detailed accounts dealing with the issue of sustainable winemaking."- Robert M. Parker, Jr. -- Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate "An ocean's worth of savvy detail about both the more (organic farming, the endless shades of sustainability) and less (reverse osmosis, acidification) happy nuances of making wine." San Francisco Chronicle "A compelling manifesto for natural wine ... the understandable, everyday terms used make this a genuine guide to wine science for the citizen." -- Brian Elliott Scotland On Sunday "'Authentic Wine' performs the invaluable service of raising crucial questions and explaining complicated issues coherently." -- Eric Asimov New York Times "It's been a good year for wine books. The most compelling new book is undoubtedly Authentic Wine by Jamie Goode and Sam Harrop." -- Huon Hooke Sydney Morning Herald "Ambitiously comprehensive... Illuminating." -- Beverley Blanning Decanter "A very well written and useful book with a long shelf life. Once read, it is one to dip in and out of regularly." -- Mary Gorman-McAdams The KitchnTable of ContentsPreface 1 Introduction 2 The diversity of wine: how a natural approach can help preserve wine's interest 3 Terroir 4 Grafted vines 5 Biodynamics and organics 6 Sustainable winegrowing 7 When winemakers intervene: the chemical and physical manipulation of wine 8 The natural wine movement 9 Yeasts, wild and cultured 10 Ripeness and high alcohol 11 Wine faults 12 The carbon footprint of wine 13 Marketing authentic wine 14 Conclusions

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Winner of the Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin Grand Prize, History, Literature and Fine Arts Category""Winner of the Research Prize, Asociación Internacional de Historia y Civilización de la Vid y el Vino""Honorable Mention for the Award for Best Professional/Scholarly Book in Geology and Earth Sciences Professional/Scholarly Award, Association of American Publishers"

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Book SynopsisThe first complete guide to English Sparkling Wine. Endorsed by the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). This book covers everything there is to know about English Sparkling Wine and is the perfect companion for the connoisseur and amateur alike; explaining the background to winemaking in the UK, detailed guides to vineyards large and small, all the award-winning wines from each vineyard and the stories behind Britain's leading winemakers, plus a complete directory of English sparkling wine vineyards in the United Kingdom. The Rydon Guide to English Sparkling Wine is the complete guide to English Sparkling Wine. Beautifully designed and photographed and with exclusive input from award-winning vineyards across the country including: CASTLEWOOD a boutique vineyard nestled beneath the ancient hill fort of Musbury Castle, RIDGEVIEW and NYETIMBER leading the explosion of award-winning English sparkling wines produced across their sites in the South Downs, SHARPHAM from its stunning site in the South Hams in Devon, the LECKFORD ESTATE including the Waitrose Farm championing the best of British produce, COATES & SEELY served in royal palaces and Michelin-starred restaurants around the world, and new producers such as celebrity chef Michael Caines MBE from the vineyard at the historic Grade II listed Georgian LYMPSTONE MANOR overlooking the beautiful Exe estuary.

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Book SynopsisPeñín Guide is the most widely-read Spanish wine guide in Spain and the most international reference book on Spanish Wines with ratings on around 9,800 wines and information on 2,000 wineries.

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Book SynopsisRiesling is the world's seventh most-planted white wine grape variety and among the fastest growing over the past twenty years. This book explores the history of Riesling to illuminate how this variety emerged from a crowded field of grape varieties grown widely across northern Europe.Trade Review"What makes the book so encompassing, informative, and relevant is that Haeger has avoided focusing on viticulture or enology or economy in isolation, and has instead looked at all of them in their historic and contemporary scientific and socio-cultural context... Not everyone loves Riesling, but those of us who do will find our passion articulately explained and expressed in Haeger's book." -- Anne Krebiehl, MW The World of Fine Wine "A thorough, rigorous and quite fascinating analysis of Riesling's world, focusing on dry Riesling production in the Northern Hemisphere." The Wine Economist "With a historian's clear eye for illuminating detail, Haeger describes how riesling is made... As a go-to book for understanding-and selling riesling to others-Haeger's language and thorough research skills can't be beat." -- Deborah Grossman Sante Online "Fills a significant void in contemporary oenological scholarship with its detailed look at the expanding quality and popularity of dry Riesling, the increasing diversity in styles, and the land and people behind these exciting wines." Lars Carlberg Mosel Wine "A study that will become a standard work on Riesling... Haegar is a China scholar, and his book on Rielsing combines a scholarly rigor with an evident passion for his subject." -- David Marcus The Street "You stand to learn a great deal." -- Joe Roberts 1 Wine Dude "The definitive book on the varietal currently in print in the English language... Fans of both reading and wine will enjoy Haeger's precise and fluid prose." -- James Knight Bohemian "A fresh, contemporary look at this venerable grape and its wines... A superb reference for a new generation of Riesling lovers." The Somm Journal "Haeger takes us on a deep dive through the Northern Hemisphere's most important regions for the grape - from Alsace and the Pfalz to British Columbia and the Finger Lakes of New York State - ending with granular details about specific vineyards. Along the way, riesling lovers and serious wine students will get history, explanations of the winemaking process and color maps." -- Michael Austin Chicago Tribune "This extensive and richly researched volume provides tremendous insights into one of Washington's most important wines." The Seattle Times "If you haven't been sold on dry riesling, this is required reading; if you're already a fan, it's an essential reference to add to your shelf." Wine & Spirits "Anybody interested in the story of dry Riesling will enjoy reading this book." Journal of Wine EconomicsTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction PART I The Riesling Predicament Riesling Behaviors, Typicity, and Terroirs A History of Riesling, Reviewed and Amended Sweet Wines and Dry Wines, Then and Now How Dry Riesling is Made What Differences Do Clones Make? Riesling Habitats in Western Europe Riesling Habitats in North America PART II Introduction to Sites and Producers Rhine Basin Danube Basin: Lower Austria Adige Basin: Alto Adige Eastern North America Western North America References Index Map Section

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Book SynopsisThrough a Sparkling Glass will both educate and entertain you on the wonder and joy of wine and its place in our lives and culture. From the importance of ageing (wine and people) to Champagne cork removal the correct way, Epicurus to Ernest Hemingway, Moscato to Rose, and the notion ofauthentic wine happiness. An A-Z of wine stories, information and life lessons. Each essay or entry concludes with a list of key facts about the particular subject. Through a Sparkling Glass firmly places wine and all its wonder at the centre of our enjoyment of life and culture and the way we live our lives. Entries cover aspects of wine production, varieties, history and myth, tradition and custom, modern manners, the philosophy of life and celebrating the mystery of wine. A delight to dip into, Through a Sparkling Glass will inform you in the most entertaining way and introduce you to pleasures found in your wine glass. The book taps into the emerging 'emotional palate' category of wine writers such as Alice Fiering (US) and Terry Thiesse (US). This has been successfully replicated in food writing and literature. A perfect book for those who love wine, food and the finer things in life. As well as those who want to enhance their knowledge of wine but want an entertaining way to attain that information. The book will be a well-designed gift package making it the perfect gift for intelligent men or women whoenjoy wine as part of a sophisticated mix of culinary delights rather than as an academic or technical pursuit. This book lifts wine writing out of the niche market full of technical information and into the domain of human engagement and real life where wine is enjoyed and broadly experienced.

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Book SynopsisProvides a comprehensive understanding of Sicilian wine, from its ancient roots to its modern evolution. Offering a guide and map to exploring Sicily, the authors deliver a substantive appreciation of a vibrant wine region that is one of Europe's most historic areas and a place where many cultures intersect.Trade Review"Impressively well-researched... For anyone who loves Italian wines and wants to know more about Sicily, the book is invaluable." San Jose Mercury News "Everyone can appreciate that Italian wines are delicious. But their depth and fascinating history are often overlooked. Italy enthusiasts, Bill Nesto and his wife, Frances di Savino deliver a sincere homage to the vibrant wine region in their book, The World of Sicilian Wine." The Blue Lifestyle "A major contribution to knowledge about Italian viticultural history." -- Dean Tudor Gothic Epicures "invaluable to those seeking clarity on a region whose successes have gone largely uncharted." -- Jon Bonne San Francisco Chronicle "With this book, the authors have given Sicily and its wines an exceptional tribute...they have succeeded in making the story of Sicilian wine both understandable and entertaining, without compromising the academic integrity of the work." Cronache di Gusto "An adventure with so much information about the history, culture and winemaking that it is difficult to put it down till the end... Novices as well as wine experts and serious students of Sicilian wine culture and history will cherish the book for a long time." -- Subhash Arora delWine/Indian Wine Academy "A full exploration of Sicilian wine, complete with... the region's enological and viticultural evolution, best wineries and most significant wines... A mix of culture, anthropology and more enrich the book. There is no book like this one available on the market." Gambero Rosso's International Tre Bicchieri "We also owe a great deal of gratitude to Bill Nesto MW and Frances di Savino for their superb book, The World of Sicilian Wine... [T]he book is a tour de force on Sicilian wine." International Wine Review "Wine drinkers who like their wine and vine facts with generous helpings of history, culture and geography will enjoy "The World of Sicilian Wine." Nesto and di Savino have written a handy and informative guide for the wine tourist and armchair traveler alike." -- Gerald Boyd Wine Review Online "The World of Sicilian Wine ... does more than toss around the word terroir, it burrows deep within it and gives it real meaning." Esquire "The authors really do take the title seriously, revealing a stunning 360-degree examination of Sicily's world of wine." -- Mike Veseth The Wine Economist "This is a fantastic read ... not just for wine people, but people who are studying Greek and Roman literature and mythology and Italian and Renaissance history. There are so many applications for this book beyond just learning about wine." -- Lynn Krielow Chamberlain iWineRadio "Authoritative and humorous." -- Joe Roberts 1WineDude.com "Top 10 Wine Books of 2013: Nesto and Di Savino have given us a model for how to write about an Old World wine region... If you are interested in Sicilian wines or simply the history of Sicily, this is your book." Tom Wark's Fermentation "I really enjoyed this book... [It] succeeds in taking us on a voyage through this complicated but magical wine region." -- Ian D'Agata Decanter "An essential starting point for anyone interested in the island's wines or Italian wine in general." Wine Spectator "A fascinating, well-written study of an area by an accomplished duo who bring Sicily and its wines to life." -- Jancis Robinson JancisRobinson.com "With scholarly accuracy and depth ... this oenophile's resource spans all aspects of Sicilian wine, from flavor to geography, varieties, viticulture, terroir, and more." Sante "Wine lovers will appreciate this well-researched book on Sicily's wine industry." Italian America: The Sons of Italy Book Club "An excellent survey of an important wine region of Italy that is all too often overlooked by wine writers... Accessible to anyone with an interest in Sicilian wine and a passing familiarity with wine terminology." Italian Wine Central "I can recall no work that captures so completely in English the story of Sicilian wine. Keep The World of Sicilian Wine handy on your reference shelf, devour it like an Inspector Montalbano page-turner, or use it as a guidebook to the vineyards." The Art of Eating "A nifty guide to an up-and-coming wine area." Miami Herald "The sheer weight of historical, geographical, and viticultural information is enough to make this the definitive English-language book on the island's wines." The World of Fine WineTable of ContentsList of Maps Acknowledgments Preface 1. The Origins of Sicilian Wine and Culture 2. The Lost Opportunity: 1775 to 1950 3. The Modern Sicilian Wine Industry 4. Perpetual Wine 5. The Geography of Sicily 6. Vine Varieties 7. Viticulture in Sicily 8. Enology in Sicily 9. At the Heart of Sicily 10. Understanding Sicilian Wine by Place: The Three Valleys 11. Val di Mazara 12. Val di Noto 13. Val Demone 14. The Garden-Vineyard Afterword Notes Selected Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThis introduction to French wine helps demystify the names; places; grape varieties; and wine values, making buying and ordering wine, and even visiting vineyards a pleasure.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 How to Use This Book 2 Part I: Why France is the Home of Great Wines 3 Part II: France’s High-Profile Wine Regions 3 Part III: France’s Other Wine Regions 3 Part IV: The Part of Tens 3 Part V: Appendixes 4 Icons used in this Book 4 Part I: Why France is the Home of Great Wines 5 Chapter 1: France, Superstar 7 In the Beginning 7 Natural Talents 8 Climate ups and downs 10 Old dirt 11 Time passages 12 French Wine-Think 12 Chapter 2: French Wine Today 15 We’re Number One 15 The Variety of French Wine 16 The colors of France 16 Dry, sweet, and bubbly 16 Collectable to highly affordable 17 Regional characters 18 The Grapes of France 18 Chapter 3: Wine Laws and Labels 21 France’s Wine Laws: The Opposite of Laissez-Faire 21 Privileged versus ordinary locales 22 Small is beautiful 23 AOC, VDQS, and Vin de Pays 23 Degrees of pedigree within the AOC ranks 26 The French Wine Label 28 Part II: France’s High-Profile Wine Regions 29 Chapter 4: Elite Red Wines of Bordeaux 31 The Bordeaux Advantage 32 Bordeaux the red 33 Red Bordeaux’s grape varieties 34 The High-Rent Districts 35 The Left Bank style 36 The Villages of the Haut-Médoc 36 The Right Bank style 38 Classified Information 39 The 1855 Classification 40 The Graves/Pessac-Léognan classification 42 The St.-Emilion classification 43 Bordeaux’s Best Reds 45 Our top ten 45 Great Haut-Médoc wines 46 Top Pessac-Léognan wines 47 The Best St.-Emilion Bordeaux 48 A Pomerol ranking (unofficial) 50 Drinking Red Bordeaux 52 Visiting Bordeaux 52 Haut-Médoc and Graves 53 St.-Emilion 54 Chapter 5: Red Bordeaux on a Budget 55 Where the Bargains are 55 Cru Bourgeois wines of the Médoc and Haut-Médoc 56 Petits châteaux and generics 59 Other Bordeaux Districts 62 Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac 63 Côtes de Bourg and Premières Côtes de Blaye 64 Chapter 6: White Bordeaux—Dry or Sweet, and Delectable 67 Dry White Bordeaux Today 67 Where the dry whites are born 68 Two white grapes — and neither is Chardonnay 69 Drinking white Bordeaux 70 Good Producers of White Bordeaux 71 The star performers 71 Where quality and value meet 72 Other notable dry whites 73 Sauternes and Barsac 73 The Sauternes wine district 74 Sauternes’ grape varieties 75 Enjoying sweet Bordeaux 75 Producers of Sweet White Bordeaux 76 Beyond Château d’Yquem: great Sauternes/Barsacs 77 More good Sauternes/Barsacs 77 Bargain dessert wines 78 Chapter 7: Burgundy—Queen of France 79 The Where and Why of Burgundy 80 Soil and climate 81 The two great Burgundy grapes 81 The scale of Burgundy 82 Burgundy’s AOC System 84 Burgundy’s Districts 89 Chablis, from Chablis, France 90 Chablis appellations 91 Good Chablis producers 93 Recent Chablis vintages 94 Burgundy Royalty: Côte d’Or 95 The Côte d’Or wine villages 96 Côte d’Or wines in the market 99 Côte d’Or producers to buy 100 The Côte Chalonnaise: Affordable Burgundies 103 Côte Chalonnaise appellations 104 Chalonnaise producers to buy 105 Everyday Whites: Mâcon 106 Mâcon’s appellations and wines 106 Mâcon producers to buy 108 Serving Burgundy 109 Enjoying white Burgundy 109 Pairing Burgundy with food 110 Chapter 8: Beaujolais, The Fun Red 111 What Makes Beaujolais 111 The Beaujolais terroir 112 The Gamay grape 113 Beaujolais winemaking 113 From Frivolous to Firm 114 Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages 114 Beaujolais Nouveau 115 Cru Beaujolais 115 Producers and prices 117 Enjoying Beaujolais 118 Chapter 9: Robust Rhône Reds and Unique Whites 121 Two Regions in One 122 The nature of the North 122 The nature of the South 125 The Northern Rhône, Up Close 126 The reds rule 127 Uncommon whites 132 The Southern Rhône in the Spotlight 136 The major wines of the South 137 Satellite wine zones of the Southern Rhône 144 Enjoying Rhône Wines 146 Part III: France’s Other Wine Regions 147 Chapter 10: Champagne: The World’s Greatest Sparkling Wine 149 What Champagne is 149 The Champagne Region 151 Champagne’s climate and soil 153 The grape varieties of Champagne 155 The four grape-growing districts 156 Styles of Champagne 158 Non-vintage, vintage, and prestige cuvées 158 Blanc de blanks, blanc de noirs, and rosé Champagnes 163 From dry to sweet: Brut, Extra dry, and Demi-Sec Champagne 165 The Great Champagne Houses 167 “House styles” 168 Grower-producer Champagnes 169 Aging Champagne 170 Champagne with Food 171 Chapter 11: Alsace: White Wine Wonderland 173 Location, Location 173 Mountains’ majesty 174 Forecast: sunny and dry 175 The Grapes of Alsace 176 The Range of Wines 177 The dominant style 178 Legally speaking 179 VT and SGN: Measures of ripeness 182 Riesling, Above All 183 Alsace’s Other Wine Gems 185 Gewurztraminer 185 Pinot Blanc 186 Tokay-Pinot Gris 187 Other Alsace wines 188 Enjoying Alsace Wines 188 Top Alsace Producers 189 Chapter 12: The Loire Valley’s Hidden Gems 191 The Rambling Loire Valley 191 The Loire’s climate and soil 192 The major wine districts 194 The Upper Loire: Sauvignon Blanc’s Spiritual Home 194 Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé 195 Other wines of the Upper Loire 197 Leading Upper Loire producers 198 The Diverse Central Loire 199 Touraine’s (too) many AOCs 199 The many faces of Vouvray 201 The Touraine’s best red wines 204 The dry and the sweet of Anjou-Saumur 205 Muscadet: The Value White 210 Enjoying Loire Valley Wines 212 Chapter 13: The South of France 213 Languedoc-Roussillon: The Mother Vineyard of France 213 The lay of the land 214 The seeds of change 216 Classical wines: better than ever 218 Languedoc fringe dwellers 222 Beautiful Provence 223 Climate and soil 224 The wines of Provence 225 Chapter 14: Other French Wine Regions 229 Southwest France 230 Bergerac 230 Cahors and vicinity 233 Béarn 235 Jura 236 Savoie 239 Corsica 241 Other French Regions 242 Part IV: The Part of Tens 243 Chapter 15: Answers to Ten Common Questions about French Wines 245 Why are French Wines so Expensive? 245 How are French Wines Different from American Wines? 246 Are Rosé Champagnes Really Dry? 247 Are French Wines the Best Wines? 247 Do French Wines Age Long? 248 Are Prestige Cuvée Champagnes Really Better? Or are they Just a Rip-Off? 248 Can I Keep My Wines in the Refrigerator? 249 The French Make a Big Deal about “Terroir.” Isn’t This Concept Overrated? 249 Is AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) Status a Guarantee of Quality for French Wines? 250 Are All Burgundy Wines Expensive? 250 Chapter 16: Ten French Wine Myths Exposed 251 Champagne Isn’t For Dinner 251 Red Bordeaux Takes Forever to Mature 252 Sauternes are Delicious Young 252 Chablis is too Dry and Acidic 252 Champagne is too Expensive 253 You Must Drink Beaujolais Nouveau before spring 253 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is Full-Bodied and Long-Lasting 253 All Rieslings are too Sweet 254 Wines of Southern France are Rustic and Mediocre 254 Champagnes Don’t Age Well 254 Part V: Appendixes 255 Appendix A: Pronunciation Guide to French Wine Terms 257 Appendix B: Bordeaux and Burgundy Classifications 265 Appendix C: French Wine Vintage Chart: 1979 to 1998 277 Index 281

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Book SynopsisWinner of the 2018 James Beard Foundation Cookbook Award in Reference, History, ScholarshipWinner of the 2017 André Simon Drink Book AwardWinner of the 2018 International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Cookbook Award for Wine, Beer & SpiritsFrom Peter Liem, the lauded expert behind the top-rated online resource ChampagneGuide.net, comes this groundbreaking guide to the modern wines of Champagne--a region that in recent years has undergone one of the most dramatic transformations in the wine-growing world. This luxurious box set includes a pullout tray with a complete set of seven vintage vineyard maps by Louis Larmat, a rare and indispensable resource that beautifully documents the region’s terroirs. With extensive grower and vintner profiles, as well as a fascinating look at Champagne’s history and lore, Champagne explores this legendary wine as never before.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"I cannot emphasize enough how important this book has been to me and should be to the fine-wine community. It should be required reading for all students of vine and wine." -- Brian Croser * JancisRobinson.com *"...if you’re looking to read a wide and diverse body of text about what terroir is and where it comes from, you’ll find few books on par with this one." * Edible East Bay *"This anthology shares characteristics with fine wines: complex, nuanced, and well-balanced. . . . If you want a whirlwind exploration of a vast, complex topic, buy this book: there’s nothing else out there like it." * EuropeNow *"This book is essential for your library if you are at all serious about wine. As the authors advise, use it as a reference book when you need information about a topic or just a few pithy quotes. The authors have performed a real service cataloging and connecting a well-selected multitude of writings and presentations about terroir." * Journal of Wine Economics *Table of ContentsForeword by Patrick J. Comiskey Introduction: Why Terroir Matters 1 The Lure and Promise of Terroir 2 History and Definitions 3 Soil: The Terre in Terroir 4 Climate: Limits and Variations 5 Grapevines: Bringing Terroir to Life 6 Winemaking: The Human Element in Terroir 7 Sensory: Validating Terroir 8 Marketing: Terroir for Sale 9 The Future of Terroir 10 Postscriptum Acknowledgments: Nancy G. Freeman Acknowledgments: John Buechsenstein Bibliography Credits for Reprinted Materials Index

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Book SynopsisFor centuries a bastion of tradition and the jewel in the crown of French viticulture, Bordeaux has in recent years become dogged by controversy, particularly regarding the 2012 classification of the wines of St.-Émilion, the most prestigious appellation of Bordeaux's right bank. St.-Émilion is an area increasingly dominated by big international investors, especially from China, who are keen to speculate on the area's wines and land, some of whose value has increased tenfold in the last decade alone. In the controversial 2012 classification, certain châteaux were promoted to a more prestigious class because of insider deals that altered the scoring system for the classification of wines into premier crus and grand crus. This system now takes into account the facilities of each château's tasting room, the size of its warehouse, and even the extent of its parking lot. The quality of the wine counts for just 30% of the total score for the wines of the top ranking, those deemed premier grand cru classé A. In Vino Business, Saporta shows how back-room deals with wine distributors, multinational investors like the luxury company LVMH, and even wine critics, have fundamentally changed this ancient business. Saporta also investigates issues of wine labelling and the use of pesticides, and draws comparisons to Champagne, Burgundy and the rest of the wine world. Based on two years of research and reporting, Vino Business draws back the curtain on the secret world of Bordeaux, a land ever more in thrall to the grapes of wealth.Trade ReviewSome sharp critiques and a few shocking revelations. * Wall Street Journal *Vino Business reveals the seedy business side of the romantic world of French wine. * Washington Post *Gossip as poisonous as pesticides, anonymous informants, rampant greed. . . the latest primetime TV drama? No, it's just St.-Émilion... A new book, Vino Business, by French journalist Isabelle Saporta, has caused a firestorm for its criticism of the French wine trade... If it's causing this much uproar... "it's because she put her finger on the sore spot." * Wine Spectator *Isabelle Saporta bases the book on a true investigation, field work that cannot be contested, work that many of her detractors, the people who snipe at her from behind their keyboards, would do well to be inspired by. * Le Point *The author, investigative journalist Isabelle Saporta, doesn't hold back in questioning the French institutions and traditions that the country's wine industry prides itself on. She's also forthright in her writing on certain individuals. . . The book is a juicy read. * Wine-Searcher.com *Judging by the reaction to its publication it seems that this book, which concludes that more transparency is needed regarding the fabrication and classification of these great wines, is asking the right questions. * Le Parisien *

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Book SynopsisModern Home Winemaking describes the process of making flawless wine, consistently, from crush to bottle, using modern techniques and the latest products. Making wine is not only about fermenting juice into wine; this book details the many other processes involved in making outstanding wine—wines that will win medals at competitions.

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Book SynopsisThe world's best-selling annual wine guide.'This compact annual guide is packed with information and recommendations of top names from every wine region.' DecanterHugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book is the essential reference book for everyone who buys wine - in shops, restaurants, or on the internet. Now in its 46th year of publication, it has no rival as the comprehensive, up-to-the-minute annual guide.This latest edition of Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book includes a color supplement: How Wine Ages (And Why), which covers questions such as whether aged wine is necessarily better wine and how to store wine to ensure it ages well. It provides clear succinct facts and commentary on the wines, growers and wine regions of the whole world. It reveals which vintages to buy, which to drink and which to cellar, which growers to look for and why. Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book gives clear information on grape varieties, local specialities and how to match food with wines that will bring out the best in both.

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Book SynopsisDiscover all the answers to your wine-based fears and never pick a ‘bad’ bottle again with this fun and accessible guide to everything red, white, rosé and sparkling. If you’ve ever stood and stared blankly at a supermarket wall full of (potentially) delicious wines, not knowing what to choose, if the price is right or frankly, where to start, help is at hand with this little book of terms, tips and cocktail treats about the mother of all drinks: wine. From your red Merlots and Malbecs, to your white Chardonnays and Pinots, through to pink-hued rosés and everything bubbly, all the stress usually ensued from trying to choose a half-decent bottle will be taken away as you learn how to say what you’re buying, get to grips with the label, grape and quality and – for when the party gets started – discover how and what to serve it with, for every type of occasion. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party of a specific cuisine, selecting from a menu at your local restaurant or just want to learn how to make a fruity wine cocktail, this book will show you how to pick the right wine, every time!

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