- Hardcover: 224 pages
- Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.; First Edition edition (25 Sep 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1847065082
- ISBN-13: 978-1847065087
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 14.2 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 120,297 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Review
"Spendid... partly a serious guide to the wines of France, Italy, and Spain and (if you must) the "New World", it is also very funny... this is one of Scruton's most enjoyable books, uncorking much wisdom, and concluding with a wicked guide to the right drink to take while reading various philosophers. The Guardian [Scruton] writes deliciously... this book is a marvellous read - provocative, spicy, balanced and brimful of wise words... it is hugely recommendable. The Oldie [Scruton's] indisputable passion for wine will send you off to your next glass better informed and more thoughtful than before. Metro Perfect for curling up with in front of the fire, with a large glass of claret. The Scotsman" ---
'By turns challenging, enjoyable, thought-provoking' --The Times
Scruton liberally dispenses nuggets of wisdom throughout his book and very effectively uses personal narratives to make his case....the patient reader and drinker has much to glean by following the author s gustatory and thought-provoking journey in the world of wine. --The European Legacy --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
'By turns challenging, enjoyable, thought-provoking' --The Times
Scruton liberally dispenses nuggets of wisdom throughout his book and very effectively uses personal narratives to make his case....the patient reader and drinker has much to glean by following the author s gustatory and thought-provoking journey in the world of wine. --The European Legacy --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Review
"Spendid... partly a serious guide to the wines of France, Italy, and Spain and (if you must) the "New World", it is also very funny... this is one of Scruton's most enjoyable books, uncorking much wisdom, and concluding with a wicked guide to the right drink to take while reading various philosophers. The Guardian [Scruton] writes deliciously... this book is a marvellous read - provocative, spicy, balanced and brimful of wise words... it is hugely recommendable. The Oldie [Scruton's] indisputable passion for wine will send you off to your next glass better informed and more thoughtful than before. Metro Perfect for curling up with in front of the fire, with a large glass of claret. The Scotsman"
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
In this book Scruton seeks to combine his interest in philosophy with his love of wine. He laments the passing of the Greek "symposiums" where wine was drunk and important issues discussed. The book is certainly interesting, but it is not the jolly, "good humoured antidote to the pretentious clap-trap" that the publishers promise. At least not until the appendix where he suggests what to drink while reading major philosophers' works which is very funny and well written.
He begins by recognising two people influential in his own discovery of wine, which read a little like appreciative retirement speeches. He then moves on to discussing in detail French wines and then more briefly other wine regions. Here Scruton's knowledge and enthusiasm are evident, but he is something of a wine `buff' and there is plenty of wine-speak in evidence. Thus he suggests that `the best accompaniment to a bottle of fine old white Hermitage is a clay-baked hedgehog' and if you `roll the name Maillol in your mouth while imagining well-shaped buttocks and well-matured wine, and you won't be far from the taste of Collioure'. Not much of the promise of `an antidote to clap-trap' evident here, then. Overall, this half of the book is hard going.
In the second half, things get more interesting as he turns to philosophy and the role of wine and the implications of certain ideas to wine. Scruton is one of those writers who lets much of their character and opinion infuse his writing. He is unashamedly right wing, pro-France, anti-EU and largely un-`PC', and at times his views may cause mild offence to the more sensitive reader (the anti-fox hunting and modern Islamic views on alcohol both get particularly short shrift), albeit with some nice dry humour in parts (he suggests that the rich contribute to the well-being of the world by consuming the most expensive wines and converting it by natural processes to something that will benefit the soil). As you would expect, his knowledge and insights in philosophy are frequently interesting - although a good grounding philosophers will certainly help as this isn't a beginner's book on philosophy.
But the greatest joy of this book is the appendix where he suggests what wines to drink with different philosophers' works. It is irreverent and funny, but at the same time, wise. This, finally, fulfills the promise of the publisher's jacket notes. I would unreservedly award this chapter a five star rating.
He begins by recognising two people influential in his own discovery of wine, which read a little like appreciative retirement speeches. He then moves on to discussing in detail French wines and then more briefly other wine regions. Here Scruton's knowledge and enthusiasm are evident, but he is something of a wine `buff' and there is plenty of wine-speak in evidence. Thus he suggests that `the best accompaniment to a bottle of fine old white Hermitage is a clay-baked hedgehog' and if you `roll the name Maillol in your mouth while imagining well-shaped buttocks and well-matured wine, and you won't be far from the taste of Collioure'. Not much of the promise of `an antidote to clap-trap' evident here, then. Overall, this half of the book is hard going.
In the second half, things get more interesting as he turns to philosophy and the role of wine and the implications of certain ideas to wine. Scruton is one of those writers who lets much of their character and opinion infuse his writing. He is unashamedly right wing, pro-France, anti-EU and largely un-`PC', and at times his views may cause mild offence to the more sensitive reader (the anti-fox hunting and modern Islamic views on alcohol both get particularly short shrift), albeit with some nice dry humour in parts (he suggests that the rich contribute to the well-being of the world by consuming the most expensive wines and converting it by natural processes to something that will benefit the soil). As you would expect, his knowledge and insights in philosophy are frequently interesting - although a good grounding philosophers will certainly help as this isn't a beginner's book on philosophy.
But the greatest joy of this book is the appendix where he suggests what wines to drink with different philosophers' works. It is irreverent and funny, but at the same time, wise. This, finally, fulfills the promise of the publisher's jacket notes. I would unreservedly award this chapter a five star rating.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The witty title of this book gives expectations that are not disappointed. When you have one of Britain's leading philosophers, who is also fluent and witty, writing about his love of wine then the book is one for all lovers of wine. It is not a handbook - so there is not too much about vintages and certainly it is not a catalogue. Scruton tells something of his own encounters with various wines, at Peterhouse, Cambridge, that home of the egregious don, and in different parts of the world. So some interesting people are also mentioned. But the focus is always on the wine and its delights. He gives useful dicta such as "Never drink any fluid that has been kept in plastic." In an amusing final section, Scruton makes suggestions about which wines to drink while reading various philosophers. I have picked up much fascinating knowledge about wine, the sort of things that the ordinary wine book do not mention. I have a reasonable library of books on wine and on philosphy and this book has pride of place in both. Already, have I boughto a second copy since the first one I gave away to another wine-lover as a present.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I thought this might be rather silly but actually it is quite engaging and a good read. Lots of different ideas and bits of history that are fascinating and its true the stuff about what to drink is spot on. I give it three glasses (large ones).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Wisdom through drinking - that can't be bad
I already have read some of Roger Scruton books and found them challenging and interesting. I wanted to buy his book on Beauty (having watched his television program on Beauty). Read more
Published 14 months ago by Rod
The pleasures of wine
Roger Scruton's book 'I drink therefore I am, a philosopher's guide to wine' is one of the most unusual, and gripping, books on wine ever written. Read more
Published 22 months ago by P. L. D. Taylor
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