If you could have three wine books... (building a wine library)

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If you could have three wine books... (building a wine ... - 11/3/2009 4:16:50 PM

Rossodio

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Joined: 7/12/2007
From: New Orleans, LA, USA
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Hey guys -

In addition to collecting wines in general, I've caught the bug over the last couple of years with wine books to have, some for reference and others for "coffee table" beauty with nice pictures. To help me build my wine library, I'll be asking for a couple of books to add to my very small but growing collection.

So... if you could name your top 3 wine books, at least one of the reference type (i.e. Jancis Robinson's Wine Encyclopedia) and one of the coffee table type (i.e. Adventures in Burgundy), what would they be, and briefly, why?

FWIW, my general tastes are old world and in Europe, but that's not to say I don't enjoy the occasional Aussie, S. African, S. American, Cali, Oregon, NZ, or other types occasionally...

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RE: If you could have three wine books... (building a w... - 11/3/2009 5:09:14 PM

tantotinto

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From: Houston
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World Atlas of Wine by Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson would be my first pick. Number two would be the latest edition of Robert Parker's Wine Buyers Guide. They all run together after that.

(in reply to Rossodio)

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RE: If you could have three wine books... (building a w... - 11/3/2009 5:42:44 PM

peeks13

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"Adventures on the Wine Route" by Kermit Lynch

Best non-reference book I've read so far although there's a bit of reference in it.

(in reply to tantotinto)

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RE: If you could have three wine books... (building a w... - 11/3/2009 7:07:04 PM

Paul S

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Amen on Adventures on the Wine Route. Brilliant book. Sparked my love for trying new and strange wines.

I would think that Jancis Robinson's Encyclopedia is a must for anyone serious about wine. It is far and away the best reference book to pick up if you need to find a particular piece of info.

Finally, just because I am absolutely biased towards Burgundy, Clives Coates the Cote d'Or is a great source.

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RE: If you could have three wine books... (building a w... - 11/3/2009 8:19:43 PM

Uncle Noon

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I agree with Tantotinto on the two he recommended. I would include Karen MacNeil's "The Wine Bible" for it is the single best wine book in the world. It was the first wine book I bought and still is the one I reach for most often.

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RE: If you could have three wine books... (building a w... - 11/3/2009 8:35:31 PM

Hollowine

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From: Hood River, OR
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My three favorite Coffee Table Books -

The Chateuneuf-du-Pape Wine Book by Harry Karis

Bordeaux Chateaux - A History of the Grands Crus Classes 1855-2005

2000 Champagnes by Richard Juhlin

I need to get some good, broad range references. I have many of Parkers and some other common ones, but mostly use the internet for most of that info.

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RE: If you could have three wine books... (building a w... - 11/4/2009 2:36:14 AM

stephori

Posts: 184
Joined: 12/2/2007
From: Paris Mo-Su Reims or Epernay
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I'm a big fan of Champagne but I don't like the "2000 champagnes" book.

There are too many champagnes that you will never be able to drink, most of the notes concerning old vintages. I would rather suscribe to The Champagne Guide or Brad Baker publication in order to have an up to date review of the best champagne producers.

I have a book on DRC written by Gert Crum and Michael Broadbent, I think you can compare it to Richard Juhlin's book.

If you like mangas, Drops of God is also a good way to enjoy wine through reading.

Stéphane

(in reply to Hollowine)

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RE: If you could have three wine books... (building a w... - 11/4/2009 4:09:04 AM

Khamen

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From: near Stonehenge, UK
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The World Atlas is a must-have. Great book. Other than that the latest and greatest Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia is at the top of my list and then one of the pocket guides - Oz or Hugh.

K

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RE: If you could have three wine books... (building a w... - 11/4/2009 10:27:24 AM

MindMuse

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From: Georgia, U.S.
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I guess like tantotinto I would go with the Jancis Robinson encyclopedia, the World Atlas, and the Parker 8th Buying Guide. Put the Atlas on the coffee table.

I've also been learning a lot from Jamie Goode's The Science of Wine. You might want to check that one out if the notion of whole chapters on brettanomyces or micro-oxygenation doesn't make you reel.

The Kermit Lynch book has been on my radar a long time; really going to have to get it with the plaudits it's receiving here.

(in reply to Rossodio)

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RE: If you could have three wine books... (building a w... - 11/7/2009 6:05:54 AM

pwm

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I'm gone from this forum.

< Message edited by pwm -- 11/18/2009 12:50:04 PM >

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RE: If you could have three wine books... (building a w... - 11/7/2009 9:41:15 AM

wadcorp

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From: Kansas City, MO
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Mentioned before in other threads, but The Billionaire's Vinegar: The Mystery of the World's Most Expensive Bottle of Wine, by Benjamin Wallace, is a great read.

Amazingly, there is some heavily referenced material in there, so you will learn quite a bit as well.

Or do all your wine books need to be reference books?

.

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(in reply to Rossodio)

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RE: If you could have three wine books... (building a w... - 11/7/2009 1:53:12 PM

deb293

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No one ever seems to mention "How to Taste" by Jancis Robinson, but this is a fantastic little book. Helps train the palate as well as the mind.

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RE: If you could have three wine books... (building a w... - 11/15/2009 5:09:49 PM

bretrooks

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From: San Luis Obispo, CA
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Not to resurrect a too-old thread, but I was in a used bookstore yesterday and found a first edition of "Adventures on the Wine Route" for $9. I've only read the introduction, but I'm already hooked.

I also found a copy of "How to Taste," which I'll be giving away as a Christmas present. (I already have it, and I recommend it highly, especially for people new to wine. I used it to help organize an 11-week tasting series a couple of years ago for a group of friends who wanted to learn something beyond, "I like red.")

(in reply to deb293)

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RE: If you could have three wine books... (building a w... - 11/15/2009 8:01:41 PM

pwm

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I'm gone from this forum.

< Message edited by pwm -- 11/18/2009 12:50:26 PM >

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