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Wine Books

(and some photography books too)

Reviews of recent wine books and a selection of some of our favorite best books. Recommendations of what you should have in your library if you want to learn more about wine and reviews of recent books. We also have a page on Photography Books (click here).

Note to publishers/writers: If you want your books to be reviewed here please contact us here.
 
bullet Book reviews
 
bulletWhere to buy? - Some good wine book shops

Curious which wine books are on the top list, which are the ones that sell well at the moment? Check the best selling wine books on Amazon.co.uk or in the US the top 10 selling wine books on Amazon.com. (I can tell you - you will be surprised!)

"Technical" wine books

We have also done a list with "technical" wine books for those of you who might want to go more in depth. It includes some books on organic and biodynamic farming.

You can find our list of technical wine books here.

Support this site by using the links below if you are interested in buying a book (any book actually). The book selection on the right hand side here is the Amazon-generated ad selection.

Book Reviews - our comments

Femme de Champagne
Carol Duval-Leroy
Délicéo

Carol Duval-Leroy is head of the champagne house that carries her name Champagne Duval-Leroy in Vertus in Côte des Blancs. She’s originally Belgian and ever since she was a child she’s had a passion for food and cooking. Travelling around the world promoting champagne she is often asked how you combine champagne with food. She says that most people think of champagne only as a festive drink, not something that you drink with a meal – so she decided to write a cook book dedicated to champagne. This is the result, Femme de Champagne, a cook book that presents various dishes in combination with champagne from Duval-Leroy, everything chosen and prepared by Carol herself. Between the recipes she, of course, slips in some information about the House and about the region. (The book can also be bought in the shop at Champagne Duval Leroy in Vertus.) (Brief 66, Jan-09)
But the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com | Amazon.fr

 

Champagne Guide
Richard Juhlin
Richard Juhlin Publishing AB

A new book by the champagne specialist Richard Juhlin, this time in a conveniently smaller format (but not quite pocket sized). It is a guide focused on the producers: 400 of the 450 pages lists and describes (shortly) selected houses and growers. The first 50 pages are dedicated to some quick information about the district and tourist information on sights, hotels and restaurants.  (Brief 66, Jan-09)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com | Amazon.fr

 

Japanese Whisky – Facts, figures and taste
By: Ulf Buxrud
DataAnalysis Scandinavia AB

Ulf Buxrud is a great connoisseur of whisky. He has previously written a book about single malts from Scotland. This is his second book and in it he explores the world of Japanese whisky. Contrary to many other spirits (and wines), whisky is not a protected denomination of origin. So Japan is both a great consumer and producer of whisky. The major part of the book contains producer profiles with both history, tasting notes and even some tourism tips for the potential visitor – a good idea! The first part of the book gives you an introduction to whisky in Japan, including how it first came to this country as well as a chapter on how whisky is made (with some interesting Japanese specialities). It is a big format book (too big for our book shelf!) and the design is elegant. Just a pity that the photos generally are dull and poor (and some are even mounted the wrong way). In spite of that, this is definitely a book to be slowly consumed by any adventurous whisky enthusiast who ventures beyond Scotland. (Brief 64)
Buy the book: www.buxrud.se/japan.htm

 

Andrew Jefford’s Wine Course
By: Andrew Jefford
Photo: William Lingwood & Alan Williams, et al.
Ryland, Peters & Small, £19.99, ISBN 978-1845977238

This is an introduction to wine and wine tasting. Andrew Jefford accompanies the reader through a series of “projects” where each is focused on learning something about wine. You can start with Project #1 “how to taste wine” and then go through the book to learn (a bit) about winemaking, about grape varieties and about the world’s major wine districts. Each section also contains some practical exercises to make the whole even more enjoyable. The book is elegantly produced with overall a very good photo material (and Jefford seems to have enjoyed the tasting shoots with his three beautiful co-tasters). The text is well written and easy to follow, not going very much in detail of course. In other words, it’s an excellent introduction to wine and wine tasting that can be followed up later (in the Christmas present sack for instance) with one more book with more details on wine regions and wine producers. (Brief 64)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com | Amazon.fr
 

The Wines of Burgundy
By: Clive Coates
University of California Press, £35, ISBN 978-0520250505

This is a massive book: 1872 grams and 878 pages. There are books that you simply cannot avoid. This is one. If you are looking for a book about Burgundy you simply have to consider this one. Partially because in spite of La Bourgogne being one of the world’s premiere wine regions there are relatively few good books on the area. But this is one. Few writes know Burgundy as well as Clive Coates does. Since a few years back he is even living amongst the vines in his favourite wine district. The book follows a classic format: In the introduction Coates explains a bit about how Burgundy works growers, negociants etc) and gives a (brief) introduction to how wine is made in Burgundy, both traditionally and with newer trends. Then follow chapters on all the communes with details on the history, the soil, and, importantly with (brief) profiles of the growers. The second part of the book (filling almost two thirds of the pages) is a review of vintages from 2006 back to 1959 with an avalanche of detailed tasting notes. The book is a thoroughly revised version of his previous book “The Côte d’Or”. The previous version had a bit more focus on the growers and (somewhat) less on tasting notes. We would have preferred that Coates kept more of a focus on the growers, and perhaps even expanded those descriptions compared to the previous edition, rather than having some 500 pages with tasting notes (who can stomach that?). But in spite of this slight criticism, this is an important book for any serious Burgundy enthusiast! (Brief 64)
Buy the book
: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com | Amazon.fr

 

Grand atlas des vignobles de France
By Benoît France (ed.)
Solar France, 54 eur, ISBN 978-2263046605

This is a rather unique book. Even if the title says “atlas” it’s not your average map book. Instead it focuses on and goes into detail on soil and soil types in virtually all French appellations and illustrates it with 184 colourful maps. If you want better to understand soils, geology, and terroir in France then this is a book for you (provided you read French). But the book also covers in depth, with descriptive texts, all French appellations, including their characteristics, grape varieties, climate, history etc. Even the most remote and obscure appellations can be found. You can find the most amazing details and titbits. Did you know, for instance, that the now trendy grape petit verdot only coveres 0.4% of Bordeaux (which is still much more than carmenère that only has 0.1%)? The presentation is not always easily digested: lots of dense text and detailed maps. And you can excuse the somewhat chauvinistic introduction (“French wines are best” – not any worse than what you hear in many other instances from other countries) and its conviction that the appellation system is the answer to today’s wine industry woes (it’s just as often an obstacle to making and selling good wines). The book contains such a wealth of detailed information that it will be a valued addition to any serious (French speaking) wine lover’s book shelf. (Brief 64)
Buy the book
: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com | Amazon.fr

 

La Vigne Assassinée – l’Avenir du Vin
Av: Christian R. Saint-Roche
CIDE
ISBN 2-9525036-1-3

The title reads ”the assassinated vine” but it’s not a crime novel even if it is a thriller of sorts. How can the French wine industry get out of the current crisis? One of the questions Christian St-Roche raises is why in France it only negative aspects of wine that get voiced. What has happened with wine as a foodstuff, he asks. How can the anti-wine lobby have grown so strong? Why are the good-for-the-health aspects of wine never mentioned? Why have so many French people stopped drinking wine? (37% never drink wine and the proportion who drink wine with dinner has fallen dramatically.) But he also writes about the importance of terroir wines, about the good and bad points of the appellation system, and about how one could make the young generation at least occasionally abandon MacDonald’s and Coca-cola and instead learn to enjoy the more slow-moving pleasures of drinking a good wine with a good dinner. (Brief 64)
Buy the book
: cide-editions.com/livreroche.html

 

The Wine Trials – A fearless Critic Book
By: Robin Goldstein
Fearless Critic Media

The sub-title of this American book is “Brown-bag blind tastings reveal the surprising wine values under $15”. The message in the book is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money on the wines you buy because if you tast them blind you will not think a more expensive wine is any better than a cheap wine. The author bases his views on a series of blind tastings (with bottles presented in brown paper bags, hence the title) that he has made all over the US, including both experienced wine tasters and “the man in the street”. Half of the book is dedicated to presenting 100 wines under $15 that beat the $50 to $150 wines in the blind tastings. Robin Goldstein means that it’s time to start trusting one’s own taste and not be more concerned with prestige or with what others think. Interesting in many ways even if some of his conclusions are odd. But yes, the basic message is right – trust your own taste and not someone else’s.  (Brief 64)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com | Amazon.fr

 

Angels, Thieves and Winemakers
By: Joseph Mills
Publisher: Press 53

This is actually a poetry book and not a traditional wine book! Joseph Mills has previously written a wine guide to the wines and wineries of North Carolina (!). But he has a PhD in American literature so one can understand that the subject inspired him to some more esoteric texts – the just over 50 poems found in this book. So if you have had enough of grape varieties, planting density and micro-oxygenation this will make for a nice change. A sample from the beginning of the poem titled Aging: To speak of a wine’s future / is to speak of our own desires, / how we hope as we age / that we’ll become more / harmonious, less acidic, / that our tannins will mellow.
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

The Wine Diet
By: Roger Corder
Publisher: Sphere

The author is professor of Experimental Therapeutics at the William Harvey Research Institute but also a wine enthusiast. The book tells us how we can live a healthier, better life with a daily, moderate consumption of wine. It is not just a technical review of what substances in wine are good for you. It also explains a bit about the history of wine and health, various research that has been done, about other foodstuff that can have a positive impact on health (fruit, berries, chocolate…). He also gives us some recipes as well as suggestions for healthy diets. And he recommends which wines are particularly good for you! He has a special section dedicated to the wines of Madiran in south-western France, that he considers produces particularly healthy wines. One of the chapters is called “Eat well, have fun – and improve your health” which certainly sounds like a good catchphrase for the book. Certainly an entertaining read for anyone interested in health or medicine.
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

Les Zinzins du Zinc - Le guide des meilleurs bars à vin de France
Egmont Labadie
Fleurus

If you know a bit of French and like traveling in France and tasting wine, then this book is for you. Egmont, who wrote the book, traveled around France for a year visiting wine bar after wine bar (hard work no doubt) and the best have been collected in this book. Each wine bar (many of them also serving food) has a detailed description with notes on their specialties, types of food served, prices and opening hours. It also contain plenty of photographs to give you a feeling of the atmosphere in each place, as well as the often colourful owners. Certainly a very good read for the Francophile. There's even an accompanying web site for updates:  http://zinzinsduzinc.over-blog.com/ (Brief 58)
Buy the bookAmazon.fr

 

House of Joy
By Sarah-Kate Lynch
Doubleday, ISBN 9780385608848

There are not that many novels set in a winery setting. (I tried to write a detective novel once where the victim had his head smashed with a bottle of Petrus but I didn’t get much further than just that.) Well, some writers are more successful than me, as for instance Sarah-Kate Lynch with this small (in format) book about a champagne house with problems. The issue is not that the champagne is not good, on the contrary. But the personal problems of the heroine stack up when her father dies and his testament includes some unexpected things. It is both funny and sad, and sometimes quite hilarious. And a bit sentimental with a touch of romance. Add a pinch of wine knowledge and you can look forward to a few hours good entertainment. (Brief 55)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

The World Atlas of Wine
Hugh Johnson, Jancis Robinson
6th edition
Mitchell Beazley

If you should have only one wine book then this is it. First published in 1971 and since long a classic (we have all editions except the first). The 6th edition has been expanded with 48 pages and 20 new maps. The texts have been reviewed and re-written and many of the illustrations are new. Quite a lot has happened in the wine world since the last edition and all is reflected in the changes in the book. In it you also find the best wine maps there are – indispensable if you want to travel in wine regions. The first part of the book has some general chapters on history, vinification etc, easy to pass quickly be well worth a serious read. The remainder of the book covers virtually all of the world’s wine region with interesting texts, beautiful pictures and the maps of course. A book both to leaf through and to read in meticulous detail – to be inspired and to be informed. (And with some new photos from BKWine!) (Brief 53)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

Le Grand Guide des Vins de France 2008
Michel Bettane & Thierry Dessauve
Minerva

This is a wine guide over France. Region by region the authors present with a short profile, a rating and a few tasting notes their preferred wine producers. Without hesitation one of the most interesting and useful wine guides in France, more interesting to read than e.g. Guide Hachette. It used to be called the “Bettane & Dessauve” guide when it was published by the Revue des Vins de France where the two authors used to work. This edition is rebranded, totally overhauled and expanded. (It also has an accompanying web site that is unfortunately not very useful or user friendly.) Clearly worth investing in for he who is looking for interesting producers across the French wine regions (provided you read French). Its only drawback is that it has now grown to become quite bulky and difficult to carry in the suit case… (Brief 53)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com | Amazon.fr

 

Tokaj – a Companion for the Bibulous Traveller
Text: David Copp
Photo: Bianca Otero, Fekete K.
PrintXBudvar Zrt.

Written by a British wine writer with many years’ experience of Hungary and Tokaj in particular, it is a very informative but still compact book. Tokaj has seen many dramatic changes since 1989, mostly for the better, so any older text is hopelessly outdated. The book contains chapters on the region, on the history, on wine production and on the growers with a detailed descriptions of the houses and their wines. But it also has sections for the traveler: hotels and restaurants, sites and practical information. We wish we had had it when we planned our first wine tour in the region some years ago! The most informative book in English on Tokaj that we have seen, a must for he who plans a trip there or who simply wants to discover the Tokaj wines. (Brief 53)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

Desert Island Wine
Miles Lambert Gócs
Ambeli Press

This is NOT a book about ”what wine would you bring to the desert island?” It is a collection of essays, often with a humorous tone, on varying subjects around wine. For example: the first ever CNN-interview with Dionysus the wine god, or the short story about the terroir terrorist. The author writes light-heartedly and entertainingly about subjects that are usually viewed from a more (too?) “serious” viewpoint. An amusing read perhaps to consume in the sofa over Christmas with a nice glass of port in front of you. (Brief 53)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

The Wine and Food Lover’s Guide to Portugal
Charles Metcalfe & Kathryn McWhirter
Foto: diverse
Inn House Publishing
ISBN 978-0-9557069-0-5

This book is packed with information about Portugal and its wine districts. The authors wrote their first book on Portugal 20 years ago and know the country inside out, including its wines and the gastronomy. You will find a wealth of recommendations: wine producers, restaurants, hotels… All is well written, enticing and yet exhaustive. It certainly makes you want to go visit the Portuguese wine regions – if you were not already on your way. Plenty of photography, priority give more to the number of illustrations rather than their size. Also including good maps and a quick introduction to speaking Portuguese! Buy the book here: www.innhousepublishing.com (Brief 53)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

The Art & Science of Wine
By James Halliday & Hugh Johnson
Mitchell Beazley – new edition of a classic

Don’t be put of by the title. It is not an overly technical or scientific book. The two authors – giants in the world of wine writing – are a guarantee that it is a good and informative read. After reading the book you will have a very good understanding of wine, wine growing and wine making. You might not be an expert winemaker, but there are schools for that. The book is split in three sections: In the Vineyard, In the Winery, and In the Bottle. Starting with things like terroir and irrigation, over winemaking techniques for different types and styles of wines, to what makes wine age and the very topical subject of wine closures – this book will give you a lot of insight. It’s actually quite a unique book – no other wine book explains the technical details behind winemaking in such an enjoyable form. Certainly very worth reading. (Brief 45)
Buy the bookAmazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

The Wine Atlas of Australia
By James Halliday
Mitchell Beazley

A must if you are hooked on Australian wine. It’s a back-breaker of a book, over 300 pages in large format, but it covers virtually all there is to know about Australian wine. Each chapter is dedicated to a region, starting with a map and a a general introduction (climate, grape varieties, soil etc). then comes a selection of the most important (all?) producers in the region. This section also includes a lot of useful travel information: address (including web address), tasting possibility, if the winery has a restaurant etc. The book is beautifully illustrated with plenty of pictures. As I said, a heavyweight from the southern hemisphere.  (Brief 45)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

Rare Malts, Facts, Figures and Taste
By Ulf Buxrud
Quiller Publishing

Initially, I was a bit hesitant. Is it more of a promotional book? – All whiskeys come from the same company, Diageo and their “Rare Malts Selection”. Then I said to myself, if you can write a book about, say, Château Margaux, why not about an outstanding whiskey producer? So, shedding my hesitation, the book is a fascinating read: a long list of whisky distilleries are described and their whiskies tasted and commented. Some of the distilleries no longer exist so to book is also in sorts an historical account. All written by Ulf Buxrud who is an exceptional whisky enthusiast. The illustrations are perhaps not always up to par, and I’d happily remove some of the pictures of bottles and bottle boxes and have space for some more illustrations of the places and environments, but I might be nitpicking. To read and to savour for the dedicated whisky lover. (Brief 45)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

How to build and start your own wine cellar
By Chris Miley
Redwine Publications, www.redwinepublications.com, www.winecellarsecrets.com

An ebook (pdf) on wine cellars. It actually includes some general wine and wine history sections but most of it about how to build a wine cellar. It’s not quite a DIY manual of how to build it. Rather it is a collection of tips and recommendations on things you should think of and things that are important for a wine cellar. For example, there’s a chapter on cooling units and how to choose a good one. A short but useful ebook if you want some inspiration for building your cellar. (Brief 45)

 

Wine Travel Guide to the World
By Robert Joseph
Footprint

A very ambitious book: a travel guide for he who wants to visit vineyards covering the whole world. And perhaps even over-ambitious. The book contains lots of excellent recommendations – of growers to visit, shops with a good selection, hotels and restaurants, sites etc. All with personal, well written recommendations by Robert Joseph, who no doubt is one of the most well travelled wine writers (and founder and previous editor of the English wine magazine Wine International). But it is perhaps trying to bite of a too big piece of the cake. If, for example, you want to visit the upper Loire Valley (Sancerre, Pouilly and other appellations) is it really enough with just one producer recommendation? We hope for a sequel (or several) that will cover in a bit more depth specific wine regions.

(Sometimes it is fortunate that you read the fine print in the contract and sometimes you’re glad that you actually did not skip the introduction to the book. We were very surprised (and flattered) when we read in “Acknowledgements” in Robert Joseph’s book this sentence: ”I also owe a particular debt to the online efforts of Jamie Goodie (www.wineanorak.com), Jancis Robinson (www.jancisrobinson.com), Bertrand Celce (www.wineterroirs.com) and Britt Karlsson (www.bkwine.com).” Many thanks!)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

Les Grands Crus du Languedoc et Roussillon
By Michel Smith
Editions Renault

A dense tome with profiles of many growers in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Michel Smith has selected his choice of best growers, the future Grands Crus. The book is 100% focused on the producers, not even a brief introduction to the region or the appellations is included. Every property is presented on one or two pages, in quite a bit of detail. Lots of text in rather small type, interspersed with some (but not much) photos. You can always have opinions on a selection of growers. For instance, why are none of the excellent producers in La Clape included? But overall we think this is a good and representative selection from the region. a book for the French reading Languedoc enthusiast looking for a reference work on growers.
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com | Amazon.fr

 

Chefs, Saveurs, Champagne
By Ragnar Fridriksson
Passionfood

An odd book in some ways. First: written by an Islander living in Champagne. Second, a strange mix of recipes, portraits, pictures and publicity for champagne. But if you disregard that (perhaps in particular the publicity for various champagne producers) the book is very charming. Each chapter presents an outstanding chef. All run famous restaurants where champagne is served (and other things too). Lots of beautiful pictures, especially the portraits of the chefs, and many mouth-watering recipes from the restaurants that are featured. But sometimes it also shows one of the strange (and in our opinion, less attractive) aspects of today’s “haute cuisine” (both French and international): the food is sometimes presented on the plates looking more like abstract compositions of art rather than being meant to be eaten… But that’s mostly the occasional oddity in the book. Instead, let yourself be inspired by the many recipes and stories about outstanding restaurant personalities.
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com | Amazon.fr

 

About Wine
By J. Patrick Henderson and Dellie Rex
Thomson Delmar Learning

We were particularly interested to receive this book for review since it is a course book for professional/students and many of our readers work in the wine or restaurant trade (or hope to be). As soon as you see it it certainly gives you the impression of being a serious text book: over 500 pages in large format, and not much “gloss”. The book is written by Americans for Americans but that doesn’t in anyway diminish its value as a general “wine course” study book (actually, it hardly shows at all). The coverage is very balanced, covering all the important wine regions across the world. It starts with a good overview of the basics: the vineyard, the winery and wine making technology and about tasting wine. The following chapters go through the wine regions of the world. But what makes this wine particularly valuable for the professional are the last few chapters on “the business of wine”: how better to sell wine in a restaurant, how to manage and develop a restaurant wine list, and even on how to train the colleagues. Certainly a book to recommend as a study book for professionals in restaurants and the wine trade, but also a very good book for the “amateur” who wants a bit more technology and structure than what you get in the glossy books.
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

The Healing Power of Champagne - History, Traditions, Biology and Diet
By: Dr Tran Ky & Dr F Drouard
Savoir-Boire Ltd

If you ever needed an excuse to drink a glass of champagne you should read this book. It walks you through all good things champagne can do for you in case you suffer from appetite loss, obesity, migraine, depression, gynaecological troubles (yes), food allergies and much more. It even has a “technical appendix” on various good or bad substances. Champagne history, as the title hints, is featured throughout the book. It is a translation from a French original which certainly has contributed to the style of the writing.
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

The Wine Atlas of Canada
By Tony Aspler, photographs by Steven Elphick
Random House Canada

This is the first book we have read on Canada. And if you want an introduction to wine in Canada, this is an excellent choice. After a short introduction and history (and some very recent history!) the author takes you through each of the wine regions in Canada. In each region the main producers (or perhaps all?) are profiled, including tasting notes and practical information to help you plan a visit. The author is one of Canada’s best known wine writers. Excellent photography by Steven Elphick. If we could have one wish it would be for better maps… Indispensable if you are going to Canada.
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

The Wines of France, The Essential Guide for Savvy Shoppers
By Jacqueline Friedrich
Ten Speed Press

This pocket sized book will come in very handy for those who want advice on what to buy. The whole book is a listing, region by region, of what the author thinks are the best and most interesting producers across France (including descriptive comments on the growers and their wines). Friedrich has spent years criss-crossing France to select the wine makers to be included. Any list of recommendations is of course up for debate, by definition since it is a personal choice. But looking at the recommendations for some of the districts we know particularly well we certainly wouldn’t argue with much of it, and even could find some new names that sound exciting. Good buy if you want a pocket size buying guide. Here's the author's web site: www.jacquelinefriedrich.com.
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

The Oxford Companion to Wine
By Jancis Robinson (editor)
Oxford University Press

This is a reference book from A to Z. Very thorough and competent with lots of details on almost every imaginable subject in wine. Dipping into some of the more esoteric subject (that we know well thanks to recent travels) shows that even on wine from Albania, or Alentejo in Portugal, or carbonic maceration you will get virtually all information that can be reasonably be found. A must have for the really, really through and technical wine student. (It may be worth mentioning that even if it is Jancis Robinson who is named and pictured on the jacket, she has a whole team of collaborators behind her to produce the book.)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com 

 

http://www.bkwine.com/images/books/duijker-bordeaux-atlas.jpgThe Bordeaux Atlas and Encyclopaedia of Châteaux
Hubrecht Duijker och Michael Broadbent
Foulkes Publishers/Uitgeverij Het Spectrum B.V.

An extensive tome, more like an encyclopaedia than a regular book, and here you will find most (if not all) of the interesting chateaux in Bordeaux. Each sub-district has a very informative introduction and very good maps. A book that the passionate Bordeaux lover should not be without. (Brief 40)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

The Wines of Italy (new and revised edition)
Micèle Shah
Mitchell Beazley

An almost pocket sized book that is easy to carry with you on the trip. Each Italian wine regions gets a short introduction which is followed by a listing of the appellations and a selection of producers, all with a short description. Not a book to read from cover to cover but it will certainly help you get an initial understanding of Italy. Perhaps, as a travel companion, one would have wished for more detailed maps but that may be too much to ask for in such a small book on such a big region.
Buy the book
Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

The Ultimate Austrian Wine Guide
By Peter Moser
Falstaff Publications, €19.90

The bulk of the book is a listing of Austrian wine producers. Each producer is described in detail and the wines are rated. It is virtually a catalogue of Austrian winemakers. But the book also contains good introductions to each of the wine regions as well as a couple of chapters on Austria and its wines and grapes in general. Several good maps too. In other words, an aptly chosen title. www.falstaff.at
Buy this book on Amazon: not available.

 

The Journal of Wine Economics (JWE)
American Association of Wine Economists

This is not a book but a specialist, peer reviewed, scientific journal. The JWE is published by the American Association of Wine Economists (AAWE). In the first issue you can read about, for example, how to interpret the result of wine tastings, what is influencing the price of wine (objective or sensory analysis), an analysis of the importance of the “en primeur” price for wines and more. In other words, very scientific but interesting reading for the specialist. www.wine-economics.org

 

Northern Spain - How to find great wines off the beaten track
By Susie Barrie, text; Tory McTernan, photo
Mitchell Beazley, ca £12,99

Tuscany - How to find great wines off the beaten track
By Monty Waldin, text; Tory McTernan, photo
Mitchell Beazley

The series Discovering Wine Country from Mitchell Beazley has recently seen two new additions: one on northern Spain, including Catalonia, Rioja, Galicia and Navarra, and one on Toscana. Both books follow the same formula: The author makes a short introduction to each region and its wines, followed by recommendations of wine growers to visit, restaurants, hotels, and sights. The books are ideal companions for traveling, also thanks to the handy and small format. But also perfect to start traveling already on the couch in the living room. There are also some tips and suggestions as to what to do, and what not to do – e.g. wear a shirt and not a T-shirt in Tuscany, don’t try and schedule any visits over lunch time in Spain, always call ahead etc. Quite good maps with suggested itineraries.
Buy Tuscany: Amazon.co.uk
| Amazon.com
Buy Northern Spain: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

The Wines of the Northern Rhône
By John Livingstone-Learmonth
University of California Press

I bought my first Rhône book sometimes in the early 80s. It was the second edition of a book written by John Livingstone-Learmonth. So JLL is no newcomer to the Rhône, nor to writing. As a matter of fact, there is probably no one who know the Rhône region better than him. And you can see that in this new book that covers only the northern part of the Rhône valley. It’s a brick with 703 pages. But if you are interested in the Rhône Valley this book is a must. JLL talks both about the history (that he knows well since long) and about the future. It is not anything that you will read from cover to cover but rather a reference tome where you will find all details that you might ever be interested in on the growers and on the appellations. There are also very useful line drawing maps of the vineyards. The only thing that one might have wished for is a bit more photos to give the reader more of a feeling of how the region (and the growers) looks – but that might have made the book twice as heavy of course. (Take a look in our photo galleries instead!) Now we are anxious to see the sister tome on the southern Rhône. (FUTURE CLASSIC  -SPECIALIZED)

Read some excerpts from the book here:
bullet Yves Cuilleron
bullet Hermitage
bullet Domaine Colombier

Buy this book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

Winewoman@Bergerac.France
By Helen Gillespie-Peck
Melrose Books

Wine educator, wine writer and wine maker Helen Gillespie-Peck arrived in France 30 years ago. The book is not so much an autobiography – even if she explains all about the challenges of moving to France, understanding how things work, learning French, dealing with neighbours etc – but more an introduction to the world of wine. She walks the reader through how to grow wine, how to taste wines, understanding different wine regions in France and in other countries etc. All is underpinned by her own personal experiences. Can be read as a “text book” or just as entertainment. (Brief 32)
Buy this book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

Rhône Renaissance
By Remington Norman
Mitchell Beazley

If you are interested in reading a bit more in depth on wine regions there are many books to choose from. Remington Norman’s Rhône Renaissance is certainly a very interesting one on the Rhone Valley and its grape varieties. The author takes as a starting point the main grape varieties grown in the Rhône Valley and expands his horizon to not only cover the Rhône but also the rest of southern France and producers in other countries that use the same varieties. You can for instance read about the Rhône enthusiasts Joseph Phelps and Randall Grahm (Bonny Doon) in California, both making good efforts to break the Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay dominance in the US with excellent wines from Syrah, Grenache or Viognier. Even if it now dates a few years back it is still a very readable book for the lover of Rhône wines – and wines made in the same “spirit” elsewhere. (CLASSIC) (Brief 31)
Buy this book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

The New Spain - A complete guide to contemporary Spanish Wine
By John Radford
Mitchell Beazley (latest, 2nd edition is 2004)

This is the book with a big B for the Iberofil and for those who love Spanish wines. Or for those who just simply want to know more about the wines of Spain. Very nicely designed, with good photos (but not ours) that make you want to go there, as well as good maps. The text is well written by someone who is passionate about Spain and talks about the development of Spain as a wine country, about all the Spanish wine district and recommends many good producers. (RECOMMENDED)
Buy this book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

L’Exploitation Vitivinicole – statuts, commercialisation, sécurité
Edition Dalian

This tome is not something to read from cover to cover. And certainly not in bed. It is a reference book for he who grows and makes wine, or wants to buy a vineyard. The book (or actually, the binder) gives him guidance to the jungle of agricultural rules and regulations in France, what he should not forget in terms of safety installations, how to do the administration, how to deal (administratively) with employees etc… But it also gives recommendations on how to market the wines, what wine shows you can participate in, how to deal with journalists, how to export and much more things a winemaker needs to think of. (EXTREMELY SPECIALIZED - FOR THE WINEGROWER)

 

The art and science of wine
The winemaker’s option in the vineyard and the cellar
By Hugh Johnson and James Halliday
Michel Beazley

Hugh Johnson, England's best known wine writer, and James Halliday, one of Australia's most famous winemakers, describe how the winemaker and wine grower can influence the quality and character of the wine. It is written so that even the novice can understand (well, you have to be interested at least). It explains what is done both in the vineyard and in the wine cellar, both in the New World and in the Old World. One of the few books that talks a bit more about the technical aspects of wine but still is written for the enthusiast wine lover rather than the wine professional. (EXCELLENT SPECIAL INTEREST BOOK)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

The World Atlas of Wine
By Hugh Johnson, Jancis Robinson
5th edition, Mitchell Beazley, £35

If you want to learn a little about every wine region in the world, this is the book for you. The first edition was written by Hugh Johnson in 1971 and 30 years after, in 2001, this 5th edition, with Jancis Robinson as co-author, was published. You’ll find short but fact-filled information on every wine region imaginable and an introduction to the history of wine, viticulture and vinification. Beautiful pictures and very good maps. Probably the single most indispensable book in the library. (August 2005) (INDISPENSABLE)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

Biodynamic Wines
By Monty Waldin
Mitchell Beazley

This is a somewhat heavy book, but if you are interested in the principles of biodynamic wine growing this book gives you all the information you need. It’s written by a knowledgeable person who has worked, among others, with Fetzer Vineyards, one of the pioneers on biodynamics in California. The first part tells you about the history behind the philosophy and how it is used in the vineyard (including how to prepare biodynamic compost) and the second part lists, with extensive information, a number of biodynamic growers around the world. (August 2005) (HIGHLY SPECIALIZED)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

The Wine Regions of France
Michelin, £11.99

Michelin, famous for its "red" guides on gastronomy and "green" tourist guides, has launched a new green guide called “The Wine Regions of France”. It is a practical, pocket size guide (provided you have big pockets) if you plan to go on vacation in the French wine regions. It covers essentially all regions and contains information on restaurants and hotels as well as practical info on producers, walks in the vineyards, routes to choose as well as other wine information.
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

The New France, a complete guide to contemporary French Wine
By: Andrew Jefford (text), Jason Lowe (photo)
Mitchell Beazley, £30

Andrew Jefford explores in this book the new tendencies among wine producer in France today. He presents a number of the new generation producers explaining their philosophies and how they are in the process of changing the wine landscape in France. Not an easy task for Andrew. But it is very interesting and very informative. some favorite producers are presented in more detail and gives his opinion on things that could be changed. Andrew also defends the the French wine laws but also suggests a number of improvements. Definitely worth reading if you want to know more about what's happening in France today. (January 2004) (FUTURE CLASSIC)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

Languedoc & Roussillon the wines & winemakers
By: Paul Strang, Jason Shenai (photo)
Mitchell Beazley, £25

Paul Strang has previously written a book about the wines of the South West ("Sud-Ouest", i.e. the region between Bordeaux and Spain.) which was not quite convincing. The producers seemed to have been selected not by merit but by chance. This book is much better and since there are currently few books about Languedoc-Roussillon this one is very welcome. All appellations are clearly described and the most well known producers are mentioned. The growers are photographed in black & white (seems to me the in thing to do at the moment) but the other pictures and the maps are in colour. Definitely worth reading when you have passed the stage of Bordeaux and Bourgogne. (January 2004) (RECOMMENDED)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

Vintage Wine
By: Michael Broadbent
Mitchell Beazley, £35

Few wine, if any, experts have tasted so many exclusive and expensive wines as Michael Broadbent. This is the third edition of his tastings notes. Fascinating reading about both old and new vintages. It's not a book that you read from cover to cover but one where you dip in once in a while, maybe to compare with your own thoughts about a wine if sometimes you are lucky enough to taste some of the same wines. Definitely a reference book for those of you who are interested in older vintages of high class wines or who just want to dream a bit about excellent wines. (January 2004) (RECOMMENDED) (We're not sure if there is any difference between the US and UK edition.)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

Touring the Wine Country – The Loire
By Hubrecht Duijker
Mitchell Beazley

This is not a new book but it is certainly one we recommend all the same. Hubrecht Duijker, from Holland, have written many wine books, some in collaboration with Hugh Johnson, and this small and handy book is part of a series where each book is a travel and wine guide to a wine region. Perfect to keep in the pocket when traveling. It includes detailed maps (the same excellent maps that you find in Hugh Johnson's Wine Atlas - the best there is!) recommendations of producers, hotels restaurants and sights. Almost a must for the traveler and certainly the best wine travel guide. (January 2004) (RECOMMENDED)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

Calvados - the world's premier apple brandy
Henrik Mattsson
Flavourrider

A unique new book about Calvados: Henrik Mattsson is a Swedish writer who has spent 2 years working on an ambitious venture. He has single handed written, typeset and designed what is in effect the first real book (as far as we know) about Calvados. It is elegantly designed and covers all important subjects, such as: the history of Calvados, how to make it and how to drink it, the producers, and things to see and do when you go there. Unfortunately it could have been better checked for typos and linguistically. But it is nevertheless a very interesting book to read for those of you who like a glass of calvados every now and then. Buy the book from the publisher: http://www.calvadosbook.com/. (RECOMMENDED)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

Touring in Wine Country Burgundy | Bordeaux | Loire | Rhône | Provence
By Hubrecht Duijker
Mitchell Beazley, ca £10-13

(Also exists in French, published by Flammarion) These books were published some years ago but they are books that you don’t want to be without if you travel in wine country. Indispensable. It is a series edited by Hugh Johnson and written by the Dutch author Hubrecht Duijker. (We have not seen the Provence book.) Each book is in a convenient pocket format, following the same logic: the wine region is described sub-district by sub-district, the wines are commented, and some good growers are put forward. There are also some short suggestions for hotels, restaurants and tourist sights. But the best part of the books are the maps: often very detailed, with suggestions for roads to take, some wine producers and vineyards marked on the maps etc. More or less the same maps as in The Atlas (Hugh J’s) but in a packaging that is perfect for traveling. Buy them and you’ll be urging to get going. (And then you can go on a wine tour with BKWine!)
Buy the book:
Bordeaux: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com
Burgundy: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com
Alsace: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com
Provence: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com
Rhone: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com
Loire: (see separate review)
Other books in the series:
The Mosel and Rheingau (Stuart Pigott): Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com
Bavaria (Stuart Pigott): Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com
Northeast Italy (Maureen Ashley): Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

Wine, a Life Uncorked
By Hugh Johnson
Weidenfeld & Nicolson

[We have not read and reviewed this book] An autobiography of sorts by perhaps the greatest wine writer around (who, among his other achievements, created The Wine Atlas). The story of his life from a wine perspective (Brief 31)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

Wine Places
By Charles O’Rear & David Furer
Mitchell Beazley

[We have not read and reviewed this book] Prize winner at the Gourmand Cookbook Awards 2005: Best Book on Wine Photography and also Best Book for Professionals. We have not seen it yet though. (Brief 31)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

Riesling Renaissance
By Freddie Price
Mitchell Beazley, £25

[We have not read and reviewed this book] A book exclusively about Riesling about this great variety that has been given very little attention on the book shelves. (January 2005)
Buy teh book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

The Wines of Bordeaux: Vintages and Tasting Notes 1952-2003
By Clive Coates
Weiden & Nicolson, £50

[We have not read and reviewed this book] Clive Coates’s books are always massive and very detailed, e.g. his impressive book on Burgundy. This will no doubt be of similar depth. (January2005)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

Wineries With Style
By Peter Richards
Mitchell Beazley, £30

[We have not read and reviewed this book] A lovely picture book (we’ve seen some of the photos): photos of wineries around the world with interesting architecture.  Visit the author's web site: www.devinitywine.com (January2005)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

The Story of Wine (new edition)
By Hugh Johnson
Mitchell Beazley, £30

[We have not read and reviewed this book] A new edition of this massive book on the history of wine. Probably the best book (and certainly the best we've seen) on the subject. The new edition is updated by HJ in collaboration with a Cambridge historian so it is no doubt still a good buy. (January2005)
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

Bordeaux “Grand Crus Classés" 1855-2005
Several authors
Flammarion, 50€

[We have not read and reviewed this book] A massive tome to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the 1855 classification of Bordeaux. Exclusively presented articles on each chateau.
Buy the book: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

 

---

Where to buy? - Some good wine book shops

Beaune:
040505-2-106-CRW_0656_RJ- Athenaeum, Place Carnot. One of the best wine bookshops in France. Also lots of "paraphernalia": www.athenaeumfr.com

Bordeaux:
- Mollat, 15 rue Vital-Carles, www.mollat.com. Huge all-purpose book shop but with a very big section on wine.

Internet:
- Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk. The leading internet wine bookshops...

 




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