Hardcover
320 pages
$66.00 |
Anyone who’s read any of Oz Clarke’s wine books knows that he is an easy read, writing about his favourite topic with unbridled enthusiasm, grace and a wealth of knowledge.
In this latest outing, Oz Clarke’s Encyclopedia of Grapes, A Comprehensive Guide to Varieties and Flavors, the author says that “we can make informed choices about what we like and don’t. The whole world of wine with the grape at its heart is what this book is about.”
And it’s a beauty. A quick flip through the pages reveals stunning photographs, a wealth of maps, charts and graphs, wine labels and a series of commissioned paintings by Lizzie Riches that introduce the major grape varieties, beautifully embodying the fruit, its origins and associations.
In his trademark straightforward style, Clarke tells all about grapes, the 18 classic varieties and their more than 300 permutations. From A to Z, their names are as lovely and diverse as their countries of origin: Albarino, Bastardo, Cinsault, Domina, Ehrenfelser, Favorito, Gamza, Lexia, Mavrodaphne, Oz, Pinotage, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sémillon, Tempranillo, Xarel-lo and Zweigelt.
Each chapter clearly and simply explains the grape, how and where they grow, winemaking methods, how they taste and the best producers. He suggests examples of wines made from the classic grapes and food pairings too.
Grapes - their names and synonyms, wines by country and appellation and a general index are all conveniently indexed and there’s a comprehensive glossary of technical terms too. Whew!
This book belongs on the shelf of anyone who enjoys wine and it goes down just as easily.
Reviewed by Judith Lane, wine writer |
