WineLovers Discussion Group

Hi Bob,
Very impressive and “growing” list of wine related books. I myself read quite a few of them, some of the others I’ll definitely check-out (thanks for the “reviews”).

One book I think should be included is Rod Phillips’ “Short History of Wine”- the title says it all.

Salute

Bob Ross wrote:I'll certainly add Karen's book -- as you point out, it is very popular, as is Karen herself. A great presenter and holds a very prestigous job.

My guess is many folks will, in fact, be gald you did.

Bob Ross wrote:Besides, I like Fife Wines. Even the Napa Valley ones.

OK...ya got me on that one


sheesh

Bob Ross wrote:I'm looking forward to her 13 episode public TV series this fall.

Very, very cool, Bob.

Will it be along the same lines of The Beer Hunter series of a few years ago?

Bob Ross wrote:Thanks, Tim.

No charge.

I suppose it will be similar to Season One, Tim, which is now available on DVD. http://www.winefoodandfriends.com/

I saw one episode as part of a fund raiser -- pretty good television.

Bob Ross wrote:I suppose it will be similar to Season One, Tim, which is now available on DVD. http://www.winefoodandfriends.com/

I saw one episode as part of a fund raiser -- pretty good television.

I appreciate the link and the advance information.

Thanks, Bob.

You're welcome, Tim.

Don't miss the Sip Tip in Episode 102. :-)

I'm starting to like McNeil more and more.

Seriously, thanks for reccoing this book -- I'll crib from your suggestion, and run a draft past you. OK if I credit you with the text?

Regards, Bob

Bob Ross wrote:You're welcome, Tim.

Don't miss the Sip Tip in Episode 102.

I'm starting to like McNeil more and more.

Seriously, thanks for reccoing this book -- I'll crib from your suggestion, and run a draft past you. OK if I credit you with the text?

Regards, Bob

Not a problem.

If you would like, I could ramp it up a bit....I just wrote that one from off the top of my head.

In the meantime, I'll look for #102

Please ramp it up, Tim -- and before you look at #102 please.

I'd hate for our roles to be reversed describing McNeil's book -- it's actually growing on me.

Regards, Bob

Bob Ross wrote:Please ramp it up, Tim -- and before you look at #102 please.

I'd hate for our roles to be reversed describing McNeil's book -- it's actually growing on me.

Regards, Bob

Ah...a convert!

Getting late...I'll take a look at it [the rewrite] tomorrow.



Racquetball at 6AM.

Framing an addition at 8:00 am here, Tim. Sleep well. Good night. Regards, Bob

One book that I think quite highly of that has not yet been mentioned is John Livingstone-Learmonth's "Wines of the [Northern] Rhone Valley," now in its 4th Edition (though with changed title). I own three different editions of it and they're all treasure troves of information. The latest focuses exclusively on the N. Rhone -- hence the title change -- but is almost encyclopedic in its attention to detail and coverage of the region. His ratings of wines are quite idiosyncratic, but there's so much more to the books than wine ratings that it doesn't even matter.

Mark Lipton

Thanks very much, Victoria. I happened to read a very positive review of Rod Phillips’ “Short History of Wine”-- totally new to me. I'll give it a view and thanks so much for the recomendation.

The review was by Tom Bain in Ottawa Canada on Amazon.com, and the book sounds like a winner:

"If you have an interest in wine, you'll find this fascinating book a lot of fun to read. "A Short History of Wine" is a well-written and descriptive account of the history of wine from ancient times to the modern day. As the author states, "wine is not a commodity that inspires complacency" and its long history has been "shaped by politics and wars, by social and economic change, by shifts in taste and diet, and by its relationship to religion and medicine." If that sounds dry and dusty, it's not. Phillips's narrative moves along smartly, with interesting and amusing anecdotes on every page. For example, when phylloxera attacked the vineyards of France in the late 1800s, production dropped and prices rose leading to the manufacture of wine from other products, such as imported raisins. In 1890, more than 10 percent of the wine consumed in France was made from raisins. Even after the threat of phylloxera had passed, the ready availability of artificial wine, along with widespread adulteration and fraud, led the French government to create the "appellation controlee" system of regulations that protects producers of quality wines to this day.

Read this book with a glass of wine close at hand. Just as a knowledge of the history of classical music can heighten your enjoyment of a composer's works, reading this book will heighten your appreciation for wine beyond the sensory level. You'll never look at a glass of wine the same way again. Enjoy!"

I've never, ever read about any relationship between raisins and the AOC system in any other wine history. If that connection can be established -- and the author is a respected historian with several other interesting books to his credit -- it's an exciting factoid.

Thanks again.

Regards, Bob

Here`s a couple more Bob..................

The wines of Alsace by Tom Stevenson. Soon to be reprinted!

Rhone Renaissance, Remington Norman. A good book about Rhone and Rhone style wines from France and the New world.

Thanks for the great reccos, Bob.

Victorwine wrote:Hi Bob,
Very impressive and “growing” list of wine related books. I myself read quite a few of them, some of the others I’ll definitely check-out (thanks for the “reviews”).

One book I think should be included is Rod Phillips’ “Short History of Wine”- the title says it all.

Salute

Hey, I'm in the middle of "A Short History of Wine" right now.

You're right: it is pretty interesting. Some fascinating background stories and his interpretation of evidence is enlightening.

I would say, though, that the book does suffer from annoyingly unnecessary repetition. Or at least it does thus far. Someone should tell Phillips that it is not necessary to repeat your summative point at the end of every paragraph, or each time you bring up another instance to support your point. It gets tired quickly and ends up as nothing but padding.

Note to Bob Ross: this is the kind of book you would like. You should get it.

Thanks, Hoke -- and thanks for the negative comments too.

What some of your other favorites?

Regards, Bob

Bob,

I did a brief edit of my first post.

If you like it you are more than welcome to use any or all parts of it.


I hope it helps,

Tim

Thank you very much, Tim. Regards, Bob

"Wines of South-West France" by Paul Strang. I believe this was originally published in 1995 by Trafalgar, and is unfortunately out of print. To my knowledge, this is the most detailed research ever done on the area stretching from Bergerac to Irouleguy; he certainly gives the impression of having spoken to every winemaker in Cahors, Gascony, the Jurancon, etc.

"Languedoc-Roussillon: The Wines and Wine Makers," also by Paul Strang, also an impressive piece of thorough research. Published in 2002.

Thank you very much, Dave. Regards, Bob

Here are two books I just finished this winter;

Mark Oldman’s “Guide to Outsmarting Wine- 108 ingenious shortcuts to navigate the world of wine with confidence and style”. I got a big kick out of Mark’s analogy of various wine types (just to name a few; White Zinfandel- the “Bee-Gees” of Wine; Red Zinfandel- the Great American Tooth Stainer).

Andy Besch’s (with Ellen Kaye) “The Wine Guy”. Definitely a guy you want in your corner when navigating either the well-stocked shelves of a fine wine shop or the wine list of an up-scale restaurant.

Salute

Thanks alot Victorwine -- I'll check them out. Regards, Bob

My turn-to book when checking out S France.........

Rosemary George The Wines of the South of France.

Probably my favorite wine book to just sit down in the evening and quietly enjoy is Burton Anderson's Wines Of Italy. I am refering to the hardcover book that came out in the early 80's which was full of beautiful pictures of Italy's wine regions, lots of maps that help make sense of the complex Italian wine landscape, plus interesting writing. Of course this is an old book and many of the wines have undoubtedly changed, but it's still a really enjoyable and informative book!
I believe Anderson has more recently done an Italian Wine Book which is, I think, more of a straight forward discussion of different Italian wines. That's not the one I am referring to. Tom V

Tom, that is a very good book. Lots of info and yup, great pics!! I too found the maps quite good.