422955 Fri Jul 20 01:32:16 -0700 2007 28 34 Wine 0 2767003 As I delve ever deeper into the Treasure Hunt which is the Wine World, looking for that "pot of gold", (still unknow to the wider public, with that undiscovered particularity which makes it unique and yet still at affordable prices), I sometimes look for guidance. over the last year, I have realised that I really enjoy reading about Wine, and, not only about the Product, but also the History, the Background, the Science, the Human connection. So, I am looking to build a Wine Library. Not the most obvious kind, such as "100 wines you must buy this year" which just lists the same bottles as every other publication and describes every other Cabernet as "jammy contents with blackcurrant undertones". I'd like to build something of substance and style written by people who can hold a paragraph together and tell me something I don't know but am curious to learn. I'll start this list by recommending one of my favourite writers: Jancis Robinson MW. (her excellent web-site (http://www.jancisrobinson.com); her books (Oxford companion to Wine) and her writing in the Financial times weekend supplement (where I discovered her). So, who's next and why? Fri Jul 20 01:32:16 -0700 2007 112846 Aosta 1 2767048 These would be good places to start: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/417369 http://www.chowhound.com/topics/313469 Fri Jul 20 03:53:12 -0700 2007 2767003 97069 mengathon 1 2767076 As a quirky wine lover (this works both ways as I love quirky wines and am rather quirky myself), I have greatly ejoyed the following: "The New Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia" is my go-to resource for information about any given varietal or region. I own the 1997 edition, written by Tom Stevenson, and it is visibly well-loved -- dog-eared, with a spine that is starting to break down. It's the place that I start whenever I explore a new area of wine. I greatly enjoy the writing of Matt Kramer, a contributing writer for Wine Spectator. His book, "Making Sense of Wine," explores the reasons that we find wine so alluring. His book works around the questions -- what makes wine special to us? What is a special wine? "Adventures on the Wine Route" by Kermit Lynch, is delightful. It highlights his early years as a wine importer, travelling through lesser-known wine regions in France. I can't count how many copies I have bought and given as gifts, or the number of times that I have read it myself. Informative, entertaining, fun. If you get a chance to read "Decanter" magazine (published monthly in London), it is excellent. Very objective. I first ran across Janis Robinson in Decanter. They have several excellent contributing writers. My favorite is Michael Broadbent. And, if you should happen to wish to visit the Loire valley, I highly recommend Jacqueline Friedrich's "A Wine and Food Guide to the Loire." It's an excellent resource about the various regions and AOCs of the Loire valley, highlighting many of the best winemakers. I love the Loire valley for it's incredible diversity of outstanding wine, and value when compared with other wine regions of France. Cheers! Fri Jul 20 04:31:18 -0700 2007 2767003 112911 tpn423 1 2767751 Nothing to add to the existing topic: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/313469 Fri Jul 20 09:07:25 -0700 2007 2767003 11369 Robert Lauriston 1 2767898 Most of the reccos to date have been for reference books. Here are a few others you might consider: - Kermit Lynch's *Adventures on the Wine Route*, somewhat outdated but still a great read and full of insights and comments that remain relevant to this day. All told, probably my favourite wine book. - Marq de Villiers *The Heartbreak Grape*, just out in a new edition. The author was impressed by a bottle of Calera pinot noir (the 1987 Jensen) he encountered at a dinner and ended up writing a book about how it was made and the people who make it. - David Darlington's *Zin: the History and Mystery of Zinfandel*. - Three more by Hugh Johnson: *The Story of Wine* (the history and lore of wine; in many ways, his masterpiece), *The Art and Science of Wine* (with James Halliday; I prefer the more descriptive title of the previous edition *The Vintner's Art*) and, if you enjoy his writing, *Wine: a Life Uncorked* (sometimes referred to as his autobiography but really more of a memoir). - William Echikson's *Noble Rot: A Bordeaux Wine Revolution* is a breezy (too breezy at times) overview of some of the changes shaking the world's premier wine-producing region. There are also many interesting books that detail specific regions (the abovementioned *A Wine and Food Guide to the Loire* is a sterling if increasingly out-of-date example), but that's perhaps best saved as a topic for another thread. Fri Jul 20 09:48:37 -0700 2007 2767003 10520 carswell 2 2768006 "Zin: the History and Mystery of Zinfandel" is a bit out of date, when he wrote that they hadn't yet traced it to Croatia. Fri Jul 20 10:12:11 -0700 2007 2767898 11369 Robert Lauriston 3 2768066 I read the first edition when the book was titled *Angels' Visits* and don't know what, if any, changes have been made in the current edition. But even if it hasn't been updated to reflect the latest DNA profiling, it doesn't lessen my recommendation: an enjoyable read on the U.S. history of the variety, modern day growers, Parkerized wines, etc. Fri Jul 20 10:24:15 -0700 2007 2768006 10520 carswell 1 2769735 Unfortunately, if you read about it, it has been discovered. A sad truth. If you read about it in print, then it was "discovered" four months ago, or more. If you read about it online, it was discovered more recently, but still discovered. If you want to find the "next great find," you'll need to travel the globe and taste a lot of wine. Once it hits, either print, or online, thousands will have printouts, and be standing in line at their favorite wine retailer, trying to buy it, because it's "hot." I get a kick out seeing shoppers, with their WS "tear-out" cards, pouring through the aisles of the local wine shop, trying to score something that everyone else wants. My simple advice is to find what you like and drink that, plus variations. Next, sample from all over the world, with no concern for whether it has been discovered, or not. Taste on every occasion, and decide for yourself, whether it's a good wine, or not. I find that too many folk spend far too much time, trying to seek out some obscure varietal, that is only produced in a tiny provence in Switzerland, just across the border from IT. This mystical wine is pressed by hand, by virgins, from Sardinia, and only 1 case is produced. This will be the wine, that they recommend to pair with any cuisine/dish on CH, even though only 12 people have tasted it, and it will never be available again. Seek out the very good, and hope to encounter the great. Life is far too short to launch off for some holy-grail of wine. If one wants esoteric, then they should look for bottles once owned by Ben Franklin, or similar, and eschew the rest. Hunt Fri Jul 20 20:57:43 -0700 2007 2767003 11329 Bill Hunt 2 2770355 I disagree. I read up on Italian wine in the early 80s and found a lot of great bargains I wouldn't have known to try otherwise. Same goes today for Croatian, Slovenian, and Hungarian wines. Sat Jul 21 08:26:53 -0700 2007 2769735 11369 Robert Lauriston 1 2773547 I Definitely recommend "Adventures on the Wine Route" too. Also check out "Terroir" , it's a bit scientific but extremely interesting. "Wine & War" is a gripping look at how the French wine industry dealt with Nazi occupation. Sun Jul 22 19:26:37 -0700 2007 2767003 16797 bogie 1 2773710 the new france by andrew jefford is an excellent book that really focuses on artisan producers in lesser known (to the u.s. market) regions. there is also a new spain book in the same series that looks good, but i really just glanced through it. for completely exhaustive views on particular regions richard juhlin's 4000 champagnes and johnathan livingston-learmonth's wines of the northern rhone are monumental accomplishments in wine writing that i really enjoyed reading. Sun Jul 22 22:16:40 -0700 2007 2767003 17708 warrenr 2 2773883 Bill Hunt, I see the risk of becoming a "wine anorak" and searching for rarity for its own sake. Those are the wines where "local character and Terroir " are actually a synonym for "virulent strand of fermented horse p...." but you're supposed to be impressed and "oooh and aaah". Nevertheless, variety is the spice of life, and if you were not interested in widening your own horizon, I suspect you would'nt be on this forum.... Carswell, I read your Hugh Johnson suggestions. I bought his "Atlas" a few years ago and found it a little "old-world-centric and out of date" . He struck me as a bit of a crusty old Brit. Nevertheless, I'll give him another try! Mon Jul 23 01:58:08 -0700 2007 2773710 112846 Aosta 3 2776775 Oh, I strongly suggest, and adhere to, the concept of trying "it all." I do that as often as I can, and am seldom disappointed. However, unless one has unlimited time, and budget, finding the "yet to be discovered," is nearly impossible, unless they happen to live just down the lane, from that winery, or area. Now, if one just wants to be distanced from the "masses," all you have to do is look beyond Yellow Tail (almost any wine with a cute animal on the label), 2BC and that ilk. Matter of fact, take a copy of most chain-restaurants' wine lists with you, do not buy anything on it, but look elsewhere, and you will be in the minority. Dependent on where you are, a visit to a wine-specialty shop, should yield fine results. With a few mixed cases, you will soon amaze your friends with wines, that they have likely never tried. Hunt Mon Jul 23 18:36:31 -0700 2007 2773883 11329 Bill Hunt 1 2777707 I really enjoyed the soap opera aspect to Napa by James Conaway. It gives a VERY detailed and juicy look at Napa Valley. Tue Jul 24 06:00:46 -0700 2007 2767003 62812 chickstein 1 2782431 For "reference" works, Stevenson ("New Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia") and Robinson's "Oxford Companion" (now 3rd? edition), already mentioned, are standards.* Stevenson has dense listing of thousands of individual labels, Robinson is articles about aspects of wine -- methods, places, history, etc. The most venerable English-language consumer guide is George Sainstsbury's "Notes on a Cellar-Book" which appeared 1920 and remained constantly in print with very minor changes; for example the 14th edition (1978) is ISBN 0831764503 . Not a book to look up current offerings or new wine regions, obviously, but it remains charming and full of wisdom about approaches to wine from the consumer's angle. Every serious wine library has a copy. And also a copy of the the major work to date on California (again not for specific current buying, but I know of nothing else like it for reference, history, etc.). Editors Doris Muscatine, Maynard Amerine, and Bob Thompson, "University of California Book of California Wine," 1984 (ISBN 0520050851), a large volume, 44 authors and 53 chapters.** California wine saw notable overview books in the 1940s, 50s, 60s, 70s, which I also could tell you about, but none as large or authoritative as that one, a record that might still hold, though the industry itself has continued to evolve, as always. * If the NY Times had checked either of these books, they could have avoided a faux-pas about Austrian wine last year. ** If the journalists mentioning the anniversary of the 1976 "Paris" blind tasting had looked in this book, they might have avoided frequent gaffes about its history. Wed Jul 25 11:46:22 -0700 2007 2767003 69634 eatzalot 1 2809740 Robert Parker. I know it's fashionable to knock RP, but his "annual" books when they first came out in the 1980's opened alot of eyes to the possibilities in the wine world and IMO they are classics. Thu Aug 02 23:23:14 -0700 2007 2767003 42549 Chicago Mike 2 2826689 i agree with chicago mike. as specific as parkers tastes are and how fashionable it is to knock the man, he definitely knows his wine... i like the writing of other wine critics such as clive coates as well. hubrecht duyjker is also a good writer (if you can find his books) hugh johnson has some great stuff as well. phillip blom wrote an excellent book on austrian wines Wed Aug 08 14:53:00 -0700 2007 2809740 28475 bowmore36 1 2809852 Without heading to the bookshelf, which is much more daunting than heading to the cellar, these are my humble suggestions. It appears you will have a lot of reading to do as I have heard of or read most of the books suggested here and endorse basically all of them. If you hold the rest of the wine world to the standard of Jancis Robinson you will be sorely disappointed--you have identified our vinous laureate. While the Oxford Companion is a given, her "Guide to Wine Grapes" is another must have. I have to agree with the recommendation of Conaway's "Napa," and also throw in "The Far Side of Eden." Though Avon books list them as "History," it would only take you 10 minutes in the valley to find some one who calls his books fiction. Reason enough to read them. Liked or not, Conaway is like a good "documentary" film maker (or a really good poker player)--a great presenter with just enough talent to make you believe....even if they have squadush. I've read them both more than once. Sara Nichols edited a really fun book in 2000 called "Wine Memories--Great Writers on the Pleasures of Wine." While it contains the usual suspects like Jancis (our hero), Hugh Johnson, Eric Asimov, Frank Prial and Calvin Trillin it also has some SERIOUSLY heavy hitters like: Hemingway, Capote, Steinbeck & Mailer amongst others. The Wine Brats--Guide to Living with Wine, by Sebastiani, Bundschu and Sangiacomo. Yeah, you may have heard of "Wine Brats" seminars and you may or may not like their wines (it is the families you think it is but it is the kids that wrote this book). They put forth a reasonably interesting manifesto and I think it warrants a place in your library. Paul Dolan also wrote in a really interesting book about how he led Fetzer towards sustainable business practices called “True To Our Roots--Fermenting a Business Revolution." Oh, and one more thing from a fairly biased palette...I get every year of the Gambero Rosso Guide to Italian Wines. The uber nerds will tell you that they miss the true gems and they are probably right, but day in day out, that is the best single country guide to wine made in the world. If I didn’t have it for my bookshelf each year I’d feel naked Fri Aug 03 02:05:49 -0700 2007 2767003 96313 ellaystingray 2 2810128 For a complete understanding of Spanish wines seek out everything written by Julian Jeffs and published by Mitchell Beazley. Julian's book on Sherry has long been the industry "go to" standard...such a good book. Great writer and so comprehensive. Definitely the wine critic's writer... Fri Aug 03 06:41:39 -0700 2007 2809852 60980 Scotty100 1 2811291 "I have realised that I really enjoy reading about Wine, and, not only about the Product, but also the History, the Background, the Science, the Human connection." I think alot of people forget about these very factors when they write about wine, Terry Theise doesn't. I don't have the words to quantify Terry Theise's gift of candor, passion, humor, and eloquence. Talk about a treasure! He's at once funny, irreverent, extremely knowledgeable, and down to earth. Along with the requisite technical info and tasting notes (here's your science), his style conveys his personal relationships (human connection) with the winemakers; he's known them for years (and your history), he knows their kids, he knows which bands their kids play in. He writes three catalogs annually on his selections (Terry Theise Estate Selections, imported by Michael Skurnik) from Austria, Germany, and Champagne. It's good reading, even if you aren't into wine. You can read them online or order them at http://www.skurnikwines.com/msw/theise_catalogs.html. These aren't fancy, glossed up books with pretty pictures and hardcovers, but it's definitely some of the best, most informative wine writing out there. Fri Aug 03 12:07:32 -0700 2007 2767003 15782 aperitif 1 2813434 in addition to many excellent suggestions above, any of Frank Prial's books; books by Harry and Auberon Waugh; Gerald Asher; Tom Stevenson on champagne Sat Aug 04 08:56:04 -0700 2007 2767003 31795 ibstatguy 1 2816842 Great as the tips on the reference books are, I especially love the pointers to non-reference wine books. I've put "Adventures on the Wine Route" and "Wine Memories--Great Writers on the Pleasures of Wine" on my must-read list. I recently read "Red, White, and Drunk All Over" by Natalie MacLean. It's a fun, breezy book by a sommelier who bends over backwards not to sound snooty about wine. I liked it a lot. And I just finished "Extremely Pale Rose" by Jamie Ivey - a cute, quick read, but the basic premise annoyed me very much: the British author scours France for the lightest rose, because he thinks that the lighter the wine, the better it is. I *think* he learned otherwise by the end of the book, but I'm not completely sure. And I second the recommendation for "Wine and War" - a fascinating book about how the major French wine producers survived (or didn't survive) WWII. Anne Mon Aug 06 00:47:02 -0700 2007 2767003 12541 AnneInMpls 2 2826461 Adventures Along the Wine Route is the best wine-related book I've ever read. Kermit Lynch knows how to make you thirsty (I like his newsletters, too). Natalie MacLean's Red, White and Drunk All Over is next in my queue. She has a non-snooty, welcoming website, also. Nice that she's a Chowhounder, too! Wed Aug 08 14:01:50 -0700 2007 2816842 10764 monkuboy 3 2826600 Only to avoid sending people on a wild goose chase, it's *Adventures ON the Wine Route* (emphasis mine). Wed Aug 08 14:31:28 -0700 2007 2826461 10520 carswell 4 2844312 In case anyone doesn't know this: In the event that you have been a customer of Kermit Lynch for some time, and on his mailing list, then you already have "Adventures on the Wine Route" in an early form, because much of it is stories originally sent out in his shop's newsletter, later collected and edited. And they are good stories, I agree. Tue Aug 14 10:19:12 -0700 2007 2826600 69634 eatzalot 1 2846371 As already mentioned in this thread. Adventures on the Wine Route for the sheer joy of reading. Terry Thiese's catalogs for the same reason and for some icon busting. Hugh Johnson but just for the maps. In addition Oxford Companion for an all around reference. The one book I havn't seen mentioned that all serous wine lovers should read is Emile Peynaud's Le Gout de Vin = The Taste of Wine. Originally in French but an excellent translation is available. Tue Aug 14 19:03:11 -0700 2007 2767003 113095 jock 1 2872568 Well this isn't a book. But it is a new game I've been enjoying. Download Google-Earth. When you drink a wine, look it up and try to figure out exactly where it came from. Sometimes you can get it *exactly* with a little research. Look at it on google-earth. And yes, wine atlases do help a lot with this. If you want to get crazy, you can research the geology of that area: soils, etc. The weather of that area, particularly for the year you might be drinking. Etc. And you can cross reference any of your wine-books to find out what is nearby, etc. The geography and geology of wine have done more for my notions of what else I might want to drink than almost any other factors. Thu Aug 23 04:53:26 -0700 2007 2767003 83832 fussycouple 2 2879579 fussycouple's suggestion to look into geology and geography when enjoying a wine is not just good, it's profound. Once when some of us were visiting an esteemed European wine region along with an expert, although much of our time was spent tasting from barrel and talking to winemakers, our expert pointedly and repeatedly took us out into the fields to see the soil and the land. He stood us at the junction between multiple vineyards, and poured samples from bottles of their finished wines. This one is from the red soil here; this other is from over there where the soil turns dark. Or this is from the vineyard on the bottom land, this other is from up the slope. Note the differences in the wines. It was amazing, and seriously instructive. Fri Aug 24 18:49:03 -0700 2007 2872568 69634 eatzalot 1 2879446 For something a bit different I would suggest "judgement in paris" about the '76 blind tasting. I've read excerpts and really enjoyed the drama. Fri Aug 24 17:52:56 -0700 2007 2767003 53967 chrisinroch