The wine bookshop -- regional guides

The wine bookshop

Regional guides

Please note I haven't listed any prices here. This is because the links will take you to the relevant entry in the amazon.co.uk catalogue, which will give the up-to-date price (usually substantially discounted): this may change at short notice.

Wines of the South of France

Rosemary George

Paperback - 544 pages (18 June, 2001)
Faber and Faber; ISBN: 057119267X

Synopsis
A comprehensive guide to all the wonderful wines of the South of France: from the Spanish border to the Italian frontier, including the island of Corsica. There has been a revolution in quality and experimentation with the wines of the South of France, and the vineyards of the Midi are now among the most exciting in Europe. New areas are opening up and new growers are moving in - grubbing up mass producers, introducing new grape varieties, allowing yields to plummet and employing modern techniques and growing methods to improve the wines beyond recognition. The author has revisited and researched each area and covered their history, viticulture, vinification techniques and the developments of all key growers.

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The Mitchell Beazley Pocket Guide to Wines of Spain

Jan Read

Hardback 216 pages (February 2001)
ISBN 1 84000 389 8, Mitchell Beazley

Review
www.wineanorak.com
I'm quite keen on the Mitchell Beazley Pocket Guide series. The small format is attractive and they are nicely produced. Above all, they are extremely useful books to take with you if you are visiting wine country. First published in 1983, this is the latest updated version of the wines of Spain, penned by veteran wine writer Jan Read. The book consists of a systematic trawl through the regions of Spain, with entries for each of the key wine producers and sub regions arranged alphabetically. Star ratings are given for both (there are two parallel rating systems, with hollow stars being replaced by filled stars to indicate value for money). Within each regional section, there's also a brief guide to the local gastronomic specialities, hotels and restaurants. A thorough index finishes things off. Overall, I’d say this is a very useful book, and well worth popping in your suitcase if you are travelling to Spain. But I do have some criticisms. First, it's very 'old school': there's lots of emphasis on the wine regulations, and not a lot of opinion or descriptions of what the wines actually taste like. The coverage is also very even handed, where it could have done with more emphasis of the interesting producers and regions, and less on the dull ones. And while the writing style is thorough and correct, it's not a lively enough style to sustain casual browsing: this is clearly an information source. But my biggest criticism is that I get the impression that Read doesn't really have his finger on the pulse of the latest developments in the Spanish wine scene. However, it does seem a bit mean to single Jan Read out in this regard -- it is a criticism that can be levelled at most of the English language coverage of Spanish wine. Verdict: a useful purchase, even though it's not fully up to date.

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Port and the Douro

Richard Mayson

Paperback - 256 pages ( 1 November, 1999)
Faber and Faber; ISBN: 0571195229

Richard Mayson is well known for his expertise on Portuguese wines.

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Portugal's Wines and Winemakers

Richard Mayson

Hardcover - 224 pages (December 1997)
Wine Appreciation Guild; ISBN: 1891267019

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The Wines of California

Stephen Brook

Paperback - 700 pages ( 1 October, 1999)
Faber and Faber; ISBN: 0571190308

Reviews
Amazon.co.uk
If California was a country, points out Stephen Brook, it would be the fourth largest wine producer in the world, after Italy, France and Spain. Consequently The Wines of California is a hefty tome, taking nearly 700 pages to explore this vast quasi-nation. The very special qualities that characterise Californian wines, however, are summed up by Brook in a single word: Generosity. It is the near-perfect climate that ensures the reliability of the harvests and the "rich, full- bodied, fleshy, opulent" qualities that Brook so prizes and which he communicates with such enthusiasm to his readers. His dedication and profound knowledge of the region are apparent everywhere and the result is an invaluable companion to the buying and drinking of Californian wine. California is sometimes seen as a wine- producing monolith. This book offers a useful corrective, discussing production at a local level.

Divided into three main sections, The Wines of California covers first the main wine regions. The crucial matters of geography, geology, soil structure and climate are discussed and the individual American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) and their sub-appellations profiled. A lengthy and fascinating account of Grapes and Wines covers growing and wine-making methods, and (usefully, given the Californian obsession with varietal wines) the grape varieties planted, including California's own grape, the fabulous Zinfandel. Finally, the most substantial part of the book comprises a gazetteer of wineries with a short profile of each--not, as Stephen Brook remarks, likely to provide racy reading, but of great interest. There are few discussions of individual vintages, which, given the fact that Californian wines are made to be drunk young, would be of limited usefulness, but Brook is free with his opinions and his judgements on some of the makers are sharp. --Robin Davidson

Synopsis
This text sets out to show why Californian wines are now recognized as among the finest in the world. It looks at the particular wine-making practices of the region and features a gazetteer detailing over 630 different wineries, along with lists of single vineyards.

Book Information
The wine industry in California was founded over 150 years ago and by the end of the 19th century Napa Valley and Santa Cruz were celebrated for the excellence of their wines. Then the double blow of phylloxera and Prohibition almost eradicated the production of fine wines. But a handful of energetic individuals revived the wine industry in the 1960s and within a decade California wines were being recognised as among the finest in the world. The Californians were unwilling to rest on their laurels and have gone from strength to strength.

This book explains what it is that makes Californian wines distinctive: a combination of climate: soil, tradition and innovation. Stephen Brook examines the history and climate of each major region, shows how certain viticultural and wine-making practices are specific to California and looks at how the principal grape varieties are handled stylistically in different parts of the state. Far from being a dry reference work, this book is studded with the vibrant personalities who keep Californian wines at the forefront of top-quality wine production. Special features of this comprehensive book include detailed lists of single vineyards, now receiving greater attention from wine-makers, and a gazetteer which features more than 630 different wineries, pointing to the best and most interesting wines from each.

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The New Spain

John Radford

Hardcover - 224 pages (15 October, 1998)
Mitchell Beazley; ISBN: 1857322541

Reviews
Amazon.co.uk
Spain is in the midst of what amounts to a revolution in wine. Those who considered it an unchanging, traditional source for unexciting, traditional wines would be amazed by the dramatic rise in quality and the extraordinary explosion of wine styles that has taken place throughout the country in recent years. This rapid transformation, together with the enigmatic nature of the nation itself, demands a definitive, up-to-date reference book. The New Spain covers every aspect of the wines and wine regions of Spain, from its beginnings up to the present day. From soil types and vineyard classification to the most innovative bodegas and newest wine styles, wine lovers will be able to get to grips with the fascinatingly complex world of Spanish wine. Whether it is a classic, oaky Rioja or a clean, crisp, spakling Cava, you are sure to find it here--along with many other wine styles you may never have encountered. John Radford is the first wine writer to approach the subject of Spanish wine in a logical, region-by-region tour of the country. In an informative, accessible style, he examines climate, geography, grape varieties and the winemaking traditions of each wine zone. Perhaps more importantly for wine-lovers, Radford profiles each region's bodegas, and Includes tips on their best wines. Beautifully illustrated with over 150 colour photographs, and with specially comissioned maps showing the location of all wine regions, The New Spain is a pleasure to read as well as an indispensible guide for anyone interested in Spanish wine.

Synopsis
A region-by-region tour of Spanish wines, ranging from classics such as Rioja and sherry to relative newcomers such as Ribera del Duero and Navarra. There is a guide to vineyard classifications, grapes, soil, climate and winemaking processes.

The author, John Radford johnradford@gb.net, 21 May, 1999
Many thanks to everyone who bought it - and good luck to those still to get it! THE NEW SPAIN sold out in less than three months and has been reprinted. It has also won the Champagne Lanson award for wine book of the year and the Glenfiddich Award for drinks book of the year in the UK.

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Australia and New Zealand Wine Companion: 2000

James Halliday

Paperback - 538 pages ( 3 January, 2000)
Grub Street; ISBN: 1902304381
Reviews
Amazon.co.uk
The customary remarks with which to preface discussions of Antipodean wines include those exclaiming at how few years it has taken for this youthful industry to find itself competing at the very highest level with the greatest wines in the world. Consider them said. James Halliday, in the 2000 edition of his reliable and authoritative Wine Companion, Australia and New Zealand also takes the maturity and perfection of the best Oz / NZ wines for granted. His grading system for wineries runs to five stars ("Outstanding winery regularly producing exemplary wines"), while for individual vintages he goes even further: five wine glasses signify 94-97 out of 100--"As close to perfection as the real world will allow". (98-100 is an unachievable ideal.)

Restricting himself to the top 20% of Australian and New Zealand wines, James Halliday can afford to be generous. Sensibly listing wineries alphabetically by name only, rather than, say, by region, which can be confusing, he profiles each establishment briefly and succinctly, listing and rating the vintages, as well as giving useful information such as contacts and opening hours. (These lists are useful to those on the spot at least: it's interesting how many of even the major wineries depend to a large extent on cellar door and direct mail sales.) Food partnerships are suggested, not as fixed rules but as additional, "subliminal" indications of wine styles. He can be quirky, too. Even where he disapproves of the wines, something can be rescued. A case in point would be the unfortunate Jackson's Hill winery, where the wines are judged "not exhilarating" but "Jackson's Hill does produce the most marvellous home-made chocolates I have tasted in a long time". --Robin Davidson

Synopsis
This guide to Australian and New Zealand wines profiles over 1200 wineries. It provides tasting notes for the 1200 wines featured, a vintage specific rating, information on the wine's production, advice on the best time to drink it and suggestions for complementary food choices.

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Wine Atlas of Australia and New Zealand

James Halliday

Hardcover - 416 pages ( 4 March, 1999)
HarperCollins (Australia); ISBN: 0732264480

Review
www.wineanorak.com
Another atlas-format work, this time by the most influential voice of the Australian wine scene, James Halliday. This time there is less focus on the maps (which are rather simple), and more on the different producers (within each region there is a review of the leading domaines). Nicely illustrated and a useful resource for anyone planning a trip to antipodean wine country.

Synopsis
James Halliday has over 40 years of experience in the wine industry. This new edition features special profiles on major industry trends and personalities and statistics for all the major regions.

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The Wines of Spain

Julian Jeffs

Paperback - 460 pages (24 January, 2000)
Faber and Faber; ISBN: 0571175325

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Oxford Companion to the Wines of North America

Bruce Cass (editor), Jancis Robinson (editor)

Hardcover - 320 pages (August 2000)
Oxford University Press; ISBN: 019860114X

Reviews
wineanorak.com
Jancis Robinson's Oxford Companion to Wine is one of the classics of modern wine publishing, and this volume, edited by Bruce Cass (but with Jancis listed as consultant editor) is intended as a partner volume, dealing specifically with the wines of North America. It's perhaps a little unfair to Bruce Cass that Jancis' name should be associated with this book -- her direct contribution is limited to just a couple of short essays in the first section, although of course it certainly helps to raise its profile. The book itself is divided in two. The first 60 pages are devoted to 15 well-written, concise and essays on an eclectic range of subjects pertinent to the North American wine scene. These are quite absorbing, covering subjects as diverse as 'Commentators and the wine media', 'Microbiology in North American wine', 'North American geneticists untangle the vine variety web', and 'Cybersales and the future'. The next 220-odd pages consist of the A-Z entries, much in the style of the parent volume (which is extensively cross-referenced). Whilst these are pretty scholarly, they are written in a style that's lively enough to make this section fun to browse through (preferably glass in hand). Bruce Cass pens many of the entries, and his writing has a gentle but still-appropriate sense of humour to it; other entries are authored by a team of eight experienced contributors of different specializations. To finish off, there's a full index that makes a useful (and necessary) adjunct to the alphabeticized entries (a feature that books of this sort often lack). Although the majority of the book is black and white, and illustration-free, there are eight double-sided colour plates, tipped-in in pairs at four locations. This is a valuable addition to any enthusiast's library, and as well as a useful reference for answering specific queries, it’s just the sort of book I like to dip into from time-to-time for some absorbing browsing.
Synopsis
This guide to wine production in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, highlights geographical, philosophical, and commercial variations throughout the region. It consists of a series of introductory essays, discussing in depth key topics such as prohibition, cybersales, wine auctions, microbiology, labour, and viticulture, followed by more than 500 A-Z entries, including individual wineries and winemakers, regions, grape varieties and technical term. The text is closely linked by the use of cross-references to the "Oxford Companion to Wine", to which it serves as a complementary volume

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An Encyclopedia of the Wines and Domaines of France

Clive Coates

Hardcover - 608 pages (19 October, 2000)
Cassell; ISBN: 0304354414

Synopsis
This guide to French wine covers the best growers in every appellation. This edition includes specially commissioned detailed maps and vintage charts to indicate drinking and cellaring times for all of the wines.

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Cote D'Or

Clive Coates

Hardcover - 576 pages (12 May, 1997)
Weidenfeld Illustrated; ISBN: 0297836072

Synopsis
This is a comprehensive survey of the wines of Burgundy. Divided into three parts, the book first covers the communes, vineyards and growers. Every "Grand" and "Premier cru" is isolated and described, recommended sources are noted and the growers marked on a star system from one to five. In the second part, detailed profiles of 60 of the top domaines are provided, with and notes of a vertical tasting of their wines. The final section covers vintages from 1995 back to 1949, with a summary of climatic and market conditions, the style of the wine and the results of a number of comprehensive tastings of each vintage.

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French Wines

Robert Joseph

Paperback - 240 pages ( 4 November, 1999)
Dorling Kindersley; ISBN: 0751307939

Reviews
Synopsis
A handbook on wines and wine-growing regions in France. Each major wine region is mapped and profiled with information on influences such as climate, soil type, aspects and grape variety. For each of the six major regions featured there are specialy devised tours. There is also a cross-reference feature that allows the reader to choose an element from a label and find out more about their chosen bottle. Added to this there is information on how wine is made, tasting, buying, storing and serving.

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German Wine Guide

Armin Diel, Joel Payne

Hardcover - 520 pages (30 July, 1999)
Abbeville Press; ISBN: 0789205777

Synopsis
With tasting notes and a price guide, this wine guide provides a region-by-region critique of individual vineyards and wines. The scope is large, taking into account both the known estates of the Mosel and other little-known vineyards.

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Barolo to Valpolicella

Nicholas Belfrage

Paperback - 383 pages (19 July, 1999)
Faber and Faber; ISBN: 0571178529

Reviews
Amazon.co.uk
Viticulture in Italy has a history of more than 2,000 years, having been severally introduced by the Estruscans and the Greeks. The product of this great weight of tradition was, until recently, a virtually unregulated chaos of hundreds of different grape varieties and wines of wildly and unpredictably varying qualities. As Nicolas Belfrage observes in Barolo to Valpolicella, the first, northern, volume of a two-part geographical study of Italian wines, producers now face the challenge of preserving the vigour and often highly local character of these varieties, while adapting to the modern world of a regulated industry and scientific methods of production. Much Italian wine, moreover, is produced with an eye to bulk rather than quality; and there seems to be a reluctance on the part of many Italians to accept wines with a high degree of character. However, all that is slowly changing. Belfrage remarks that the idea of Italy surpassing the stature of France as a producer of high quality wines is unlikely but no longer preposterous. Barolo to Valpolicella is an exhaustive guide to this formidably complex subject. Dividing the country into very broad geographical regions, the discussion within each is by grape variety (an interesting approach that reflects the importance of this richness), by the wines made from it and by the principal producers of those wines. Belfrage's command of his subject is impressive and detailed: he seems to have been everywhere and talked to everyone. Anyone daunted by the notorious complexity of the Italian wine business will find Barolo to Valpolicella an ideal cicerone. --Robin Davidson

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Italian Wines 2000

Slow Food Organization

Paperback - 696 pages (30 April, 2000)
Grub Street; ISBN: 1902304411

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Rhone Renaissance

Remington Norman

Hardcover - 360 pages ( 1 November, 1995)
Mitchell Beazley; ISBN: 1857327594

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