The wines of California have a distinctive personality and style, which arise from a culture very different from that of most other wine regions. Whilst the area has abundant sunshine, the unique character of the wines comes from other elements, mainly the maritime influence or the elevation of the vineyards. Californian wines also benefit from the industry’s lack of regulation which allows a grower to grow what he wants where he wants and use any grapes he likes. This freedom has led to the swift evolution and diversification of the state’s wine industry.
Stephen Brook has identified the region’s top 90 producers, though the nature of the industry there makes the selection particularly difficult. The author considers quality as the most important but not sole criterion. He looks more indulgently on wineries that make considerable volumes of excellent wine than on boutique operations that do one small thing very well
This guide, the fourth in the acclaimed Finest Wines series, from Hugh Johnson’s award-winning team, casts a whole new light on the region. Authoritative, bang up-to-date, and brimming with fascinating information, this essential guide is required reading for all wine lovers and makes a handsome present.
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‘Detailed and knowledgeable as well as accessible and attractive’
(Evening Standard )'Balanced, judicious and immensely readable'
(Decanter magazine )‘This book is exceptional. It is well-written. It is informative. It is readable and entertaining’
(Winesights (Canada) )‘A must-have in any wine library’
(Yorkshire Post )About the Author
Stephen Brook is the author of numerous books on travel, wine and other subjects, as well as an award-winning wine journalist. He has compiled anthologies and written a number of books on wine, especially on the wines of Bordeaux and California –including The Finest Wines of California, published by Aurum. He contributes articles regularly to four international wine magazines, lectures on wine at Christie’s Education in London, and is in demand as a guest judge at wine competitions around the world. He lives in London with his wife Maria.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
In the series by the publishers of "World of Fine Wine" magazine, comes a square shaped, paperback on California. One of currently seven books in the series, each covers a great wine region - and this is no exception. Author's personal choices are thus subjective - to cover all of California would be impossible - but the aim of the book is to highlight excellence - and that is exactly what it does. Assuming you're not paying the £20 cover for any of the titles in the series, they can represent up to date value on certain wine regions in the world - and California is my favourite.
It is not a points out of a 100, or a gazeteer on where to buy - that is up to you to decide - but it does review wineries and explain individuals' motivations for making wine in the wineries covered.
A good value work
It is not a points out of a 100, or a gazeteer on where to buy - that is up to you to decide - but it does review wineries and explain individuals' motivations for making wine in the wineries covered.
A good value work
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars
3 reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Overall nice book but strange omissions
26 Feb 2011
By LN
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
As the other books in this series the text has some interesting historical background and personal tidbits on the producers. The book is full of notes on winemaking techniques and style that aficionados will enjoy. The main issue with the book is the omissions. Obviously, what constitutes the "finest" wines of California is to some extent a matter of taste. But no Bond? No Bryant Family? No Colgin? No Screaming Eagle??? But Gallo is there...I'm not sure what drove Mr. brook's selections but some sure are odd.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Full Depth on a Limited Number of Wines
28 Feb 2013
By Julian H Colman
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Full Depth on A Limited Number of Wineries. Not a comprehensive review of all wineries, such as Coates tomb on Burgundy or Brooks missive in Bordeaux. But nicely focused on Tuscany.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great resource for California wine enthusiasts.
12 April 2012
By K. Marsalic
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent overview of some of the best vineyards and wine producers in California. A must-have book for California wine collectors or folks headed on wine tours in the region.
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