The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia, First Edition

Authoritative, international, and up to date, The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia is arranged geographically and combines nearly 100 detailed maps with information on all wine-growing areas, profiles of top producers and assessments of individual wines. The book’s easy-reference style and tremendous breadth of information, make it an unrivaled source of wine information for both beginners and wine buffs. Distinguished wine authority Tom Stevenson examines the viticultural history if each winemaking country, discussing its wine-producing regions and the current reputation of its wines. He analyzes the factors affecting the taste and quality of each region’s wines — location, aspect, soil, microclimates, grape varieties, and methods of viticulture and vinification — before assessing its appellations, the individual wine producers (chateaux or wineries), and, of course, the wines themselves. Tom Stevenson provides practical guidelines on wine tasting, while an “author’s choice” chart at the end of each section lists the very best wines. A star-rating system identifies the finest producers and highlights those offering the best value. A taste chart explains how to identify the flavors in a wine, and a troubleshooter’s guide spots common wine flaws. Whether you are a newcomer wanting to explore the pleasures of wine or a wine enthusiast looking for inspiration, The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia is the book to consult again and again.