The half-century of Michael Broadbent's wine trade experience has seen unprecedented change throughout the wine world. Published to coincide with his 75th birthday, and a celebration of 50 years in the wine trade, this book concentrates on the wines which are now in universal, high-level demand, those that are being collected, consumed and traded by vast and increasing numbers in all corners of the globe. More selective than his earlier works, this book features personal reflection as well as specific opinion. Years of cellars visited and pillaged for sale at Christie's, involving the checking and packing of dust and grime-laden bottles in distinctly dank and chilly conditions, plus the jet-set auctions around the world, the legendary tastings and the society events have yielded a store of vinous anecdote and amusement as well as an extensive wine-tasting record.
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A more diligent archivist than we wine lovers deserve. -- Jancis Robinson
Broadbent can suggest, in a line or two, whether a wine is pleasurable, balanced and worth cellaring -- Stephen Brook, Decanter
In the world of the grape Mr Broadbent is a colossus -- Daily Mail
Michael Broadbent is in the first rank of wine authorities…There is no one whose judgement I trust more than Michael’s. -- Robert Mondavi
Michael has served the cause of fine wine worldwide. His enthusiasm…has inspired countless amateurs in their exploration and enjoyment of the grape. -- Paul Draper
Michael is one of my favourite tasting partners. -- Oz Clarke
Michael is one of my favourite tasting partners. I get all the benefit of his massive wine experience – and all the pleasure of his boyish enthusiasm for life. -- Oz Clarke
The fine art of writing intelligent tasting notes has no greater master than the incomparable Michael Broadbent. -- Robert Parker
Broadbent can suggest, in a line or two, whether a wine is pleasurable, balanced and worth cellaring -- Stephen Brook, Decanter
In the world of the grape Mr Broadbent is a colossus -- Daily Mail
Michael Broadbent is in the first rank of wine authorities…There is no one whose judgement I trust more than Michael’s. -- Robert Mondavi
Michael has served the cause of fine wine worldwide. His enthusiasm…has inspired countless amateurs in their exploration and enjoyment of the grape. -- Paul Draper
Michael is one of my favourite tasting partners. -- Oz Clarke
Michael is one of my favourite tasting partners. I get all the benefit of his massive wine experience – and all the pleasure of his boyish enthusiasm for life. -- Oz Clarke
The fine art of writing intelligent tasting notes has no greater master than the incomparable Michael Broadbent. -- Robert Parker
From the Author
Tasting wine is highly subjective. In the end it is simply what you and I like that matters. If I have the temerity to inflict my own personal assessments and opinions on the reader, it is not to lay down the law but to share fifty years’ experience of tasting, discussing and, of course, drinking wine. Wine stimulates conversation; what better subject for good conversation than good wine. All are at liberty to argue and disagree. At least we can enjoy comparing notes.
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First Sentence
Why, when the whole world is awash with new wine, do I spend so much time evaluating and re-evaluating the wines of the past, especially those of Bordeaux? Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Why, when the whole world is awash with new wine, do I spend so much time evaluating and re-evaluating the wines of the past, especially those of Bordeaux? Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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38 of 41 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Although I suspect Mr Broadbent would shudder at the thought, comparions will inevitably be made between this book and those of Robert Parker, probably the broadest and certainly the most famous (or infamous) body of tasting notes by one individual available in print.
Perhaps the most fundamental difference is one of style. Parker's notes on any given wine tend to be of the order of two or three times longer than Broadbent's. By his own admission Broadbent is not "a great taster, merely a fairly conscientious one". As such his notes are pithy, concentrating the quality of the wine and its state of development rather than ransacking the vocabulary for different terms to describe, in minute detail, essentially similar smell and taste sensations.
Another important difference is the context, Broadbent's notes covering the full gamut from cask tastings at various Chateaux, through various formal tastings at auctions and wine societies to private dinners and, even in some cases family meals. This contrasts with Parker's notes, all written in the context of "professional tastings". While this arguably provides a more consistent basis upon which to compare the wines, it makes for much more clinical, and in my opinion, monotonous reading.
A particular feature of the Broadbent book is its depth, i.e. the range of vintages covered. Whereas Parker's books tend to cover wines recently released (or in the context of his regionally specific works, released in the last forty-or-so years), Broadbent's covers, uniquely as far as I know, vintages stretching back to the 19th and even late 18th centuries. This can be an invaluable aid in selecting older bottles for birthdays and anniversaries, as well as for buying or selling older wines at auction.... Read more ›
Perhaps the most fundamental difference is one of style. Parker's notes on any given wine tend to be of the order of two or three times longer than Broadbent's. By his own admission Broadbent is not "a great taster, merely a fairly conscientious one". As such his notes are pithy, concentrating the quality of the wine and its state of development rather than ransacking the vocabulary for different terms to describe, in minute detail, essentially similar smell and taste sensations.
Another important difference is the context, Broadbent's notes covering the full gamut from cask tastings at various Chateaux, through various formal tastings at auctions and wine societies to private dinners and, even in some cases family meals. This contrasts with Parker's notes, all written in the context of "professional tastings". While this arguably provides a more consistent basis upon which to compare the wines, it makes for much more clinical, and in my opinion, monotonous reading.
A particular feature of the Broadbent book is its depth, i.e. the range of vintages covered. Whereas Parker's books tend to cover wines recently released (or in the context of his regionally specific works, released in the last forty-or-so years), Broadbent's covers, uniquely as far as I know, vintages stretching back to the 19th and even late 18th centuries. This can be an invaluable aid in selecting older bottles for birthdays and anniversaries, as well as for buying or selling older wines at auction.... Read more ›
By Bill Noonan
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Broadbent's Vintage Wine is a unique history both of tasting, going back 50 years but of the history of wines and the history of wine itself. Spliced into the book is a general history and how wine was enjoyed by the history makers. It is well written by a true expert with a wealth of knowledge.
7 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By "dicko2003"
Format:Hardcover
This book is an excellent catalogue of all Michael Broadbent's tasting notes from the last 50 years. And has he tasted some wine! A bible that will definitely come in handy for any lover of fine wines, can't recommend it highly enough.
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Although this book was republished in 2006, the material has not apparently been updated and still relates to when it was originally published in 2003.
Although interesting, I would have thought that with a book as expensive as this, the author could have brought it more up to date when it was republished. A poor buy.
Although interesting, I would have thought that with a book as expensive as this, the author could have brought it more up to date when it was republished. A poor buy.
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