Recommendations for wine reference books

While not a reference book per se, Kermit Lynch's "Adventures on the Wine Route" was what first made me realize that there was something more to wine than the score it received...

Whether you agree with Lynch's philosophies on wine or not, it's a great intro. into many of the regions of France as well.

I find myself turning to "The World Atlas of Wine" and Clive Coates "Cote d'Or" quite often.

Matt Kramer's "Making Sense of Burgundy" (out of print, look for it on amazon or alibris) has some very eloquent and cohorent explanations of the concept of terrior and the magic of great burgundy.

Robert Parker's "Wine Buying Guide 7th Edition" is also very informative, particularly the chapters written by David Schildknecht (Burgundy & Beaujolais, Loire, Germany, Austria, Alsace, Champagne, Jura & Savoie etc.)

Unfortunately, there isn't much out there on German wines... you can read through Terry Theise's catalogs (download from the skurnick website for free) to get a pretty good intro. into what makes the wines so special.

Unfortunately, there isn't much out there on German wines... you can read through Terry Theise's catalogs (download from the skurnick website for free) to get a pretty good intro. into what makes the wines so special.

Again, if you read German and don´t mind paying the extra shipping charges from Amazon.de, Weinatlas Deutschland is a great resource for maps and vineyard characteristics. No German wine lover should be without it.

Unfortunately, there isn't much out there on German wines... you can read through Terry Theise's catalogs (download from the skurnick website for free) to get a pretty good intro. into what makes the wines so special.

Again, if you read German and don´t mind paying the extra shipping charges from Amazon.de, Weinatlas Deutschland is a great resource for maps and vineyard characteristics. No German wine lover should be without it.

Still kicking myself I didn't pick one up when I was in Germany . . .

FWIW, I get much more use out of the wine reference books that can answer the questions that suddenly pop into my head - Where exactly is Echezeaux? Who makes Spiegel Reserve? - than I do from formal wine texts. Unless you are ITB the detailed works can become a real snoozer, in my opinion.

Refreshing honesty, Sam, and I think I tend to agree. And I am sure many ITB have better things to do - like buying and selling wine. For me, the reference book with equal is the Oxford Companion.

The two you've got are excellent references. For more regional info I use...

Parker's "Bordeaux"
Coates "Cote D'Or" and the more recent "Wines of Burgundy". They are different in style though, and the earlier "Cote D'Or" includes a lot of detailed producer profiles that were not made part of the follow-up "Wine of Burgundy" (though that edition has info on the more current vintages - to 2004).

For old vintages, Broadbent's "Great Vintage Wine Book" and the newer edition "Vintage Wine" are good.

For overall general information about regions, the types of wines and grapes, recommended producers, etc., Parker's "Wine Buyer's Guide" has always been excellent, though I don't have a recent edition.

I have found "Understanding Wine Technology" by David Bird to be an excellent book covering the basics of wine viticulture and viniculture (more emphasis on the vini side). A very useful reference for these topics. This is one of the required texts for WSET diploma Unit 1 class.

[James Roscoe]

If Tom Hill wrote a book about California wine I would put in an advance order. I might also buy more California wine! California seems to be a minefield of mediocre juice but Tom always has his finger on the good stuff. There are a few other people who post here who could write such a tome (Hoke? Lou? Florida Jim?) Maybe it's time for a collaboration!