Languedoc-Roussillon is one of France's oldest wine regions and this illustrated book explores the terroir, traditions, winemaking practices, laws, personalities and wines of the region. Chapter by chapter the author identifies each of the region's most important wine-producing areas, exploring their local grape varieties and influences on wine growing. He then highlights the winemaking methods used in each area and profiles the producers and their wines. The book includes maps detailing rivers and roads, main wine towns and villages and where each producer can be found. The colour and black-and-white photography illustrates the diversity of the landscapes and personalites, while fact boxes offer information about the climate, soil and grape varieties in each area.
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About the Author
Paul Strang is recognized as one of the leading experts on the wines of the South of France, where he has had a home for many years. His first book, Wines of South-West France, was shortlisted for Drink Book of the Year in the Glenfiddich Awards (1994). His second book, Take 5000 Eggs, a book on the markets of southern France, was shortlisted for Food Book of the Year at the same awards (1997). He divides his time between London and France. Jason Shenai has worked as a freelance photographer for the past twenty years, with a wide variety of clients including the Observer and Telegraph magazines. Jason worked with Paul Strang on Take 5000 Eggs. He is the founder and director of Millennium Image Ltd, which promotes and sells contemporary photography. He lives in London.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Before venturing into trying the wines of this area, you are well advised to read Paul Strang's book which will repay the cost and time spent many times over. There are so many wines, especially in the Corbieres and Minervois areas, that without a book of this quality you would have to take pot luck. Paul Strang, not only reliably directs you to the better wines, but also gives you some background information on the winemakers which is useful when visiting them at the winery. Life is too short to drink poor wine and Paul makes sure that this never happens in Languedoc Roussillon. Although it was published in 2002, it is written in a way which has kept it useful and reasonably up-to-date although there are now wineries which have earned their place in the next edition.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
My parents-in-law have bought a place near Beziers and I now visit the area about once a year, and buy wine at some point during the visit, so Strang's book is invaluable.
It is also addictive to read, and beautifully illustrated with photographs. He knows the area unbelievably well and his views are invariably based not just on tastings, but on visits and long discussions with the vignerons.
These lead to great vignettes: there's the Communist grower whose family has been insisting on organic techniques long before 'organic' entered the vocabulary, the glamorous middle-aged woman (with whom Strang falls slightly in love) who gave up her bigshot career in the city to follow the dream of growing wine on some family land...
Yet whilst Strang writes fluently and his taste buds are faultless, it's quite a hard book to use. Actually tracking down a vineyard he has recommended is far from intuitive and there's no index of vineyards either. This would come into its own for when you driving around the various country roads and pass a vineyard: then, you could see whether it's listed and, if so, how Strang rated it. As it is, you end up thumbing around trying to remember where you saw a vineyard listed.
Of course, it is still possible to find vineyards he has recommended, but it's not always easy, and there are, inevitably, quite a few great places that he doesn't list.
Still, great fun.
It is also addictive to read, and beautifully illustrated with photographs. He knows the area unbelievably well and his views are invariably based not just on tastings, but on visits and long discussions with the vignerons.
These lead to great vignettes: there's the Communist grower whose family has been insisting on organic techniques long before 'organic' entered the vocabulary, the glamorous middle-aged woman (with whom Strang falls slightly in love) who gave up her bigshot career in the city to follow the dream of growing wine on some family land...
Yet whilst Strang writes fluently and his taste buds are faultless, it's quite a hard book to use. Actually tracking down a vineyard he has recommended is far from intuitive and there's no index of vineyards either. This would come into its own for when you driving around the various country roads and pass a vineyard: then, you could see whether it's listed and, if so, how Strang rated it. As it is, you end up thumbing around trying to remember where you saw a vineyard listed.
Of course, it is still possible to find vineyards he has recommended, but it's not always easy, and there are, inevitably, quite a few great places that he doesn't list.
Still, great fun.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is one of the best books about wine and winemakers I've read, and undoubtedly THE guide to Languedoc-Roussillon. I've used it during 3 trips to the region and found it accurate and easy to use as it is broken down into quite small geographical areas. I do agree with the reviewer who criticised the index, which includes all the wineries covered in detail in the text but none of the many "other good growers" in each area. Also with the emphasis on winemakers, the many excellent co-operatives get scarcely a mention. Roll on a new edition. Meanwhile the existing one should be the first item packed for any wine-lover visiting the region.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very useful
I originally purchased Strang's South-West Wines which is beautifully laid out, excellent photos, glossy and inviting! Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2010 by Mle Joanna Ellis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book.
Strang has done a remarkable job of describing this beguiling region. Highly recommended reading, and essential for anyone looking to tour through wine country. Bravo.
Published on 8 Mar 2007 by S. R. J. Bailey
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