The Great Domaines of Burgundy, by Remington Norman and Charles Taylor.
This is a revision of Remington Norman’s classic work on Burgundy, first published in 1992, and then revised in 1996, with Charles Taylor added as an author. It’s a brilliant book, and pretty much a compulsory purchase for any Burgundy nut. The bulk of the book is taken up by profiles of the top 141 domaines, which are well-written and go into considerable detail. There are also useful guides to the different appellations, as well as some general sections on winemaking, viticulture and the business of Burgundy. Where opinions are given, these are considered and reasonable, and I like the way that the authors are prepared to say what they think: it brings some life to the book.
The book itself is nicely designed in a three-column format, and there are ample photographs, the majority of which are by Janet Price and John Wyand. Hardback and in A4 format, it’s a chunky, substantial tome that does full justice to this most engrossing of wine regions. I just hope we don’t have to wait another 14 years for the fourth edition.
Guide retail price is £40, but Amazon have it considerably cheaper.
3 Comments on Book review: The Great Domaines of Burgundy
Had dinner with Remington last night at his lovely home near the 15th tee on Erinvale golf estate.
Poor chap cannot understand why the publishers have messed around with publication dates,especially in the USA.
Doubt if he will write another edition because apparently this one took him over three years to complete, and he enjoys his golf too much
Great guy with a wonderful cellar.
6 of us last night enjoyed wine from Germany,Austria,N and S Rhone with an Alsace sweetie.
The publishers told me at the launch last week that this edition has been completely updated by Charles Taylor, indeed Remington wasn’t even there. It’s really brilliant, full of wonderful photos and great indepth domaine profiles. Charles visited every producer in the latter half of 2009 so it is really up to date. Highly recommended.
I too have been told that Charles Taylor was the laboring oar for this new edition. He was at Les Grands Jours de Bourgogne, with a table set up to offer the book for sale. I got my copy at the Athenaeum in Beaune. As always, a very useful book, albeit one that will generate some controversy about the selection of domaines included and excluded from the roster. Why the US publication keeps being pushed further into the future is beyond me. I originally ordered it on Amazon about six months ago, at which point they said it would ship in March this year. now it is slated for August release, at a stupidly discounted price I might add… about $20 US. Furthermore, I attempted to post a positive review of the book on the Amazon site, alas, as the book is not supposed to be available, I’m not given the option to review it. Not what i would call good for the book’s marketing.