Definitive French Wine Book

[DCMark]

Is there a noted book/reference on French wine, regions, vintages, etc?

Thank you

[Rebel Rose]

Actually, there are quite a few. Are you looking for a general reference, and how much are you willing to spend? (Some of the trade and coffee-table reference books are very expensive, $75 to $200.) Are you interested in certain areas? Or just starting to explore? Some books focus more on describing the regions, while some focus more on the wines and producers. Where would you like to start?

[DCMark]

Thanks Mary.

Well its a gift for me so price is not a problem

I have a French wife so I am good on the regions and the types of wines produced there. I am more interested in learnig about specific producers of wine, specific chateaus/brands/etc. I seem to recall my father having some sort of imposing book on French wine in the 1970s....looking for something like that but updated.

Actually, there are quite a few.  Are you looking for a general reference, and how much are you willing to spend?  (Some of the trade and coffee-table reference books are very expensive, $75 to $200.)  Are you interested in certain areas?  Or just starting to explore?  Some books focus more on describing the regions, while some focus more on the wines and producers.  Where would you like to start?

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[Carema]

Clive Coates The Wines of France. 60 bucks.

[Echezeaux]

I would highly recommend a recent and very complete, well-written book by British wine writer Andrew Jefford, The New France: A Complete Guide to Contemporary French Wine.

The maps are good, the summaries of each area are complete and he profiles the leading estates in even the most obscure regions.

It's $45 full price, but now that it's been available for a year and half, you may be able to find it cheaper...

[Really Nice!]

I like The Wine Atlas of France and traveler's guide to the vineyards by Mitchell Beazley.

It begins with:

Wine law and vineyard classification

Grape varieties

Vineyard sites: Climate and soil

Then it takes you through each of the regions with excellent maps, photos, and includes producers of special interest, fêtes (festivals), wine (tourist) information, hotels, restaurants, and places of interest.

Although this book has no information about vintages, which can be had from so many Internet sites so it's an acceptable omission, I think French person would appreciate it.

I'm not familiar with Andrew Jefford's, The New France, so I can't comment on it. Clive Coates, The Wines of France, is a good read.

Edited November 24, 2004 by Really Nice! (log)

[Mark Sommelier]

I am a big fan of Hugh Johnson/Jancis Robinson's World Wine Atlas.

For specific vintages and top producers:

Robert Parker's Wine Buyers Guide

Michael Broadbent's Great Vintage Wine Book.

[bleudauvergne]

DCMark,

I really depends on what you want from your wine. Do you want to build a cellar? Are you interested in being able to rate the wines available to the comon U.S. market for immediate consumption?

[jgould]

Is there a noted book/reference on French wine, regions, vintages, etc? 

Thank you

←

hachette atlas of french wines & vineyards, edited by pascal riberau-gayon

2nd ed. 2000

[DCMark]

Thanks everyone. I put a few of these on my list and picked up this one on sale myself.

Is there a noted book/reference on French wine, regions, vintages, etc? 

Thank you

←

hachette atlas of french wines & vineyards, edited by pascal riberau-gayon

2nd ed. 2000

←

[jgould]

Thanks everyone.  I put a few of these on my list and picked up this one on sale myself.

Is there a noted book/reference on French wine, regions, vintages, etc? 

Thank you

←

hachette atlas of french wines & vineyards, edited by pascal riberau-gayon

2nd ed. 2000

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ENJOY