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Title: The World Atlas of Wine by Hugh Johnson, Jancis Robinson ISBN: 1-84000-332-4 Publisher: Mitchell Beazley Pub. Date: 13 September, 2001 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $50.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.64 (25 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: The Real Thing
Comment: If you subscribe to the notion that information is the key to a deep understanding of a subject, then this is where anyone who has ever enjoyed a glass of wine should be.
I've got a large collection on wine-related books and I find that the World Atlas of Wine is the one I turn to the most. I won't go so far as to say it renders the other's irrelevant -- the Wine Bible is also quite good, and several books on have that are more narrowly focused on specific countries or regions are essential to me -- but this is the one that explains the most about more subjects.
It should not be surprising: Hugh Johnson has produced four editions of the book before this one, and the addition of the wonderful Jancis Robinson just solidifies the Atlas' place atop of the heap of wine literature. This great looking and easy-to-read book is pleasing in so many ways: its delightful photos and large format make it a great coffee table book; the detailed maps and region-by-region explanations make it a good travel companion; and the text's lively anecdotes and density of information virtually make the volume a thrilling page-turner. It is at once accessible enough for beginners and informative enough for experts.
No, it is not perfect. As with any comprehensive wine book, some will complain that certain remote (and perhaps up-and-coming) wine producing regions have been left out or glossed over. And despite improvements from previous editions (thanks to Ms. Robinson, I believe), there is still some of the crusty and old-fashioned wine lingo that often intimidates the uninitiated.
So with what amount to only minor caveats, I wholeheartedly recommend the World Atlas of Wine. Get it and you will never feel the same about the wine you drink again.
Rating: 5
Summary: Major Improvements to an Outstanding Wine Reference Guide!
Comment: Putting the brilliant wine writers Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson together to update the 4th edition of Hugh Johnson's classic work was an inspired choice. Each is superb on her or his own. Together, they are stunning in this, their first collaboration!
Whether you want to give a wonderful gift or simply to have a great wine reference, this book is an outstanding choice. The World Atlas of Wine will deepen your pleasure in wines you enjoy, and guide you to wonderful visits to outstanding vineyards and wineries during your travels. Hopefully, your tasting experiences will benefit as a result!
If you do not know the predecessor works, let me describe the book's layout. It begins with brief sections on the history of wine; basic facts about the influence of soil, temperature, varietals, wines, wine-making, storage, serving, and tasting; and has helpful information about how to read labels and interpret technical terms.
The heart of the book comes in individual essays about wine-growing regions around the world. These are very complete. France has 58 sections, Italy has 18, Germany shares 14, the United States is covered by 12, Spain is represented by 8, Australia has 7, Portugal has 6. Many other countries are covered as well, including parts of the former Soviet Union, the Balkans, North Africa, South America, and smaller countries in Europe.
Each individual wine-growing region is organized around an updated map. For this 5th edition, 148 maps were redrawn from the 4th, and 30 new maps were added. These maps show where the major wineries are, different vineyards, qualities of grapes, altitudes, major roads, and locations is cities within the area. In some cases, these maps are also supplemented by detailed examples of soil differences and temperature gradients. Each region has at least one beautiful color photograph to give you a sense of the geography. Within the accompanying essay is a detailed discussion of how the locale affects the taste and qualities of the wines that are produced there.
Anyone will find themselves learning a lot from this atlas. Even if you were familiar with a region ten years ago, chances are that it has changed. The atlas will bring you up-to-date. In addition, you can learn about new regions and wineries whose wines may interest you.
A nice feature of the book is a bound ribbon for marking your place.
Considering the remarkable quality of the contents and reproduction of the maps and images, this book is extremely fairly priced.
The predecessor four editions have sold 3.5 million copies over the last 30 years. I think we can safely assume that this volume will sell in the millions as well. If you already own the 4th edition, you would be well advised to buy this one also.
Where else can understanding local conditions help you appreciate more about what is going on? How can you gain that experience and knowledge?
Let curiosity pull you forth from old habits . . . into better ones!
Rating: 5
Summary: This Atlas Doesn't Shrug
Comment: I just got my copy, my tome, in the mail, and I immediately went to the sections that were reported as missing or flawed by some of the other reviewers here, and I'm glad to say that the section on Cote Chalonnaise in my book was not cut off nor was the beginning reprinted again on the two pages. There was no printing error, so I don't know what that reviewer was talking about. Besides, printing errors don't detract from this awesome book that serves as an important reference to any wine expert or wannabe, like you and me, who loves great wines from all over the world.
This will be my reference of choice until I find a better one, and I don't expect the search to end tomorrow. This is a highly useful book and well worth the price.
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Title: The Oxford Companion to Wine by Jancis Robinson, A. Dinsmoor Webb, Richard E. Smart ISBN: 019866236X Publisher: Oxford University Press Pub. Date: December, 1999 List Price(USD): $65.00 |
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Title: New Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Reference Guide to the Wines of the World (revised and updated) by Tom Stevenson ISBN: 0789480395 Publisher: DK Publishing Pub. Date: 01 September, 2001 List Price(USD): $50.00 |
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Title: The Wine Bible by Karen MacNeil ISBN: 1563054345 Publisher: Workman Publishing Company Pub. Date: September, 2001 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Vines, Grapes & Wines : The Wine Drinker's Guide to Grape Varieties by Jancis Robinson ISBN: 1857329996 Publisher: Mitchell Beazley Pub. Date: 29 October, 1992 List Price(USD): $27.95 |
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Title: How to Taste : A Guide to Enjoying Wine by Jancis Robinson ISBN: 0743216776 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Pub. Date: 25 September, 2001 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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