- Hardcover: 352 pages
- Publisher: Wine Appreciation Guild; illustrated edition edition (Feb 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1891267612
- ISBN-13: 978-1891267611
- Product Dimensions: 28.2 x 22.1 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,364,271 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
You have to have a real fizz fetish to buy this for yourself, but it's a great present for someone who has more than just a passing interest in posh sparkling wine and who owns a large, glamorous coffee table.
That's not to say that all the wines featured are posh, but it would be too sadistic to put a review of Laurent-Perrier's Cuvée Grand Siècle 1952 (or the more readily available 1990) in front of a Champagne fan who couldn't afford to buy a bottle. Tom Stevenson has very forceful opinions and great technical tasting abilities. His beautifully put together reference book has been exhaustively researched and his knowledge of people, places and wines that feature here is second-to- none. If there's a criticism, it would be that the book lacks heart.
The author has had more expertise in sparkling wines than any other style--his specialist subject would deny Magnus Magnuson of any "passes". His book, Champagne, was a milestone on the topic and won him just one of his current holding of 22 literary awards. The book has been produced in association with Christies, for whom he gives an annual Champagne Master Class. Buy the book and a few bottles of the most highly recommended sparklers; invite a few friends 'round; forget the Master Class. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
The first in-depth guide to sparkling wines of the world from champagne to California, Italy to Australia and beyond. A facinating first section describes the history of sparkling wine and proves beyond any doubt that it was the English rather then the French who first produced a fizzy wine. The main body of the encylopedia is devoted to profiles of the world's sparkling wine produces accompanied by tasting notes, recommendations for drinking and good value for young money. Another section lists the author's personal selection of sparkling wines to drink for the Millennium. Beautifully illustrated and designed with over 600 full color photographs and illustrations, this is the ultimate book for those who love the good things in life and who want to discover the best was to welcome in the new year. Tom Stevenson is the world's leading authority on Champagne. He is the author of 14 books and winner of 21 literary awards, including 13 for his works on Champagne. He has been voted Wine Writer of the Year three times!
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Given to me as a gift for Christmas 2000, this is undoubtedly the book I read most during 2001. It is a detailed, captivating and fascinating encyclopedia of sparkling wine producers, products and regions. Tom Stevenson clearly has vast knowledge of the subject and manages to convery it in a intelligent, fun and passionate manner. The Amazon review which says the book lacks heart is indeed a very strange comment for a book I would say is full of heart.
My only criticism is that the author can lack consitency... for example Dom Perignon is rated in his top seven greatest Champagnes despite only one vintage (1990) receiving his highest three star accolade (whereas Grande Dame or Dom Ruinart have a few three star vintages yet don't make the cut). But then wine is a highly subjective matter.
But I still give the book five stars as it is hard, if not impossible, to imagine that you could find a more comprehensive and readable guide to this most pleasurable form of wine.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I agree with everything in the Amazon review except the comment that this book lacks heart. How can you say all the wonderful things you do about it, especially that the author has "very forceful opinions", and yet not feel the author's passion coming through on every page? This is a must for anyone who has Stevenson's CHAMPAGNE (Sotheby's, 1986). Champagne and sparkling wine lovers have been waiting for a book like this and I for one would like to thank Tom Stevenson for producing such a masterpiece.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
6 reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Excellent overall with many minor glitches
7 Nov 2005
Format:Hardcover
He has a thoroughly enjoyable writing style (especially the puns) with superb information. I use the book very frequently when purchasing. These errors are minor but the sheer quantity of them seems inexcusable, especially in an encyclopedia and in an edition that has been "fully revised and updated".
*The book does not explain the difference between "organic" and "bio-diversity" and the glossary makes them seem to be the same.
*He uses the term "stone-fruit" to describe flavours and/or aromas but does not break this down. Stone fruit can include cherries, chokecherries, peaches, apricots, plums, dates, nectarines, etc. (each being prevalent in some wines) - what does he mean?
*He uses the term "foursquare" frequently in describing a wine but provides no definition. I realize it is probably a British phrase but the book is sold world-wide.
*He alludes to bottle shape possibly having some influence on the development of a wine's character but does not develop this thought.
*There is superb, poor and inconsistent punctuation throughout the book. There are incorrect verb tenses. There are hundreds of places where commas would clarify meaning and ease the reader's experience. There are many double spaces between words within a sentence. Any word processing program should have caught this, and most of the spelling and grammar ones.
*In a few instances, he disparages plastic corks. Yet, in other instances, he laments that bad corks ruined some wonderful Champagnes he was sampling. Readers would benefit from a more detailed explanation.
*Sometimes he harshly criticizes a label design but he doesn't reproduce it to illustrate his point. Since labels are important to his rating system, this would be instructive. I realize space is at a premium, but it would be more beneficial than seeing another photo of another vineyard.
*It would help a great deal if he noted the date he tasted a wine. Readers could extrapolate from the copyright to the products they have available.
*The book does not explain the difference between "organic" and "bio-diversity" and the glossary makes them seem to be the same.
*He uses the term "stone-fruit" to describe flavours and/or aromas but does not break this down. Stone fruit can include cherries, chokecherries, peaches, apricots, plums, dates, nectarines, etc. (each being prevalent in some wines) - what does he mean?
*He uses the term "foursquare" frequently in describing a wine but provides no definition. I realize it is probably a British phrase but the book is sold world-wide.
*He alludes to bottle shape possibly having some influence on the development of a wine's character but does not develop this thought.
*There is superb, poor and inconsistent punctuation throughout the book. There are incorrect verb tenses. There are hundreds of places where commas would clarify meaning and ease the reader's experience. There are many double spaces between words within a sentence. Any word processing program should have caught this, and most of the spelling and grammar ones.
*In a few instances, he disparages plastic corks. Yet, in other instances, he laments that bad corks ruined some wonderful Champagnes he was sampling. Readers would benefit from a more detailed explanation.
*Sometimes he harshly criticizes a label design but he doesn't reproduce it to illustrate his point. Since labels are important to his rating system, this would be instructive. I realize space is at a premium, but it would be more beneficial than seeing another photo of another vineyard.
*It would help a great deal if he noted the date he tasted a wine. Readers could extrapolate from the copyright to the products they have available.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Extremely useful for anyone who buys sparkling wine regularly
20 Oct 2005
Format:Hardcover
In 1986 Tom Stevenson released his "Champagne" and established himself as a premier expert in bubbly wines. In this volume, he expands his range beyond the French region and considers other fizzy grape juice, both in France, and worldwide. This is a welcome release by an author who is thoughtful and makes positive contributions to wine scholarship, criticism, and appreciation.
Critics of Stevenson often take issue with minor errors and typos in his trade paperback books (pocket buying guides). My observation is Stevenson's bookshelf reference works have all the careful editing you would expect for a premium product. I still find myself frequently reading his original tasting notes and information in his now 20 year old "Champagne."
Stevenson's critics often take issue with his palate, selections, and emphasis. My own view is these critics are unfair. A serious wine drinker, who reads and thinks about wine, should keep first and foremost in mind their own preferences, while also developing ability to distinguish grapes and terroir. These objective skills, then coupled with self knowledge, let one understand and appreciate another wine critic's points of emphasis and preference. Almost anyone understands that Robert Parker's early views were heavily emphasized by a preference for sweet fruit, low acid, and his abiding love of stickies. Only after years have Parker's criticisms of dryer and more tannic wines become more balanced. Stevenson deserves similar sympathy and respect.
A fundamental question then is: is this book worth it? For those who both like to drink, read, and think about wine, the answer is an unreserved yes. In addition, even for the casual consumer this work can help you save money on purchases. But the primary audience is wine geeks who like to try everything and think about it. Stevenson's notes are now more global, and hence slightly less detailed than his earlier works. Make no mistake, Stevenson's preferences are not mine, however I often find myself turning to him for advice on selections when I need to entertain and have competing goals of budget and food matching. Worth every penny.
Critics of Stevenson often take issue with minor errors and typos in his trade paperback books (pocket buying guides). My observation is Stevenson's bookshelf reference works have all the careful editing you would expect for a premium product. I still find myself frequently reading his original tasting notes and information in his now 20 year old "Champagne."
Stevenson's critics often take issue with his palate, selections, and emphasis. My own view is these critics are unfair. A serious wine drinker, who reads and thinks about wine, should keep first and foremost in mind their own preferences, while also developing ability to distinguish grapes and terroir. These objective skills, then coupled with self knowledge, let one understand and appreciate another wine critic's points of emphasis and preference. Almost anyone understands that Robert Parker's early views were heavily emphasized by a preference for sweet fruit, low acid, and his abiding love of stickies. Only after years have Parker's criticisms of dryer and more tannic wines become more balanced. Stevenson deserves similar sympathy and respect.
A fundamental question then is: is this book worth it? For those who both like to drink, read, and think about wine, the answer is an unreserved yes. In addition, even for the casual consumer this work can help you save money on purchases. But the primary audience is wine geeks who like to try everything and think about it. Stevenson's notes are now more global, and hence slightly less detailed than his earlier works. Make no mistake, Stevenson's preferences are not mine, however I often find myself turning to him for advice on selections when I need to entertain and have competing goals of budget and food matching. Worth every penny.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
An affair to remember
9 Nov 2006
Format:Hardcover
This is a great book for anyone - from those who have the resources to buy some of the top names and remarkable vintages noted in this book to those simply in love with this beverage. I fall, sadly, under the latter category with the fervent hope that someday I will fall under both.
I derived hours of enjoyment from flipping through the different producers, although I found that after an hour I had a tremendous taste for anything Krug. Odd, that.
One of the "features" of this book that I appreciate the most is the "Why is [Krug/Salon/etc] so Special?" Books that extract essential information from the text and display them in sidebars usually help the reader gain a better understanding of the topic. It certainly does so in this case.
I derived hours of enjoyment from flipping through the different producers, although I found that after an hour I had a tremendous taste for anything Krug. Odd, that.
One of the "features" of this book that I appreciate the most is the "Why is [Krug/Salon/etc] so Special?" Books that extract essential information from the text and display them in sidebars usually help the reader gain a better understanding of the topic. It certainly does so in this case.
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