| The World Atlas of Wine | 
 enlarge | Authors: Hugh Johnson, Jancis Robinson
Publisher: Mitchell Beazley
Category: Book
List Price: £35.00
Buy Used: £0.33
You Save: £34.67 (99%)
New (6) from £14.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 139066
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 5th Revised edition
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 352
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4.4
Dimensions (in): 11.5 x 9.4 x 1.5
ISBN: 1840003324
Dewey Decimal Number: 641.22
EAN: 9781840003321
ASIN: 1840003324
Publication Date: September 13, 2001
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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Amazon.co.uk Review
This is something of a dream-team production. The names of Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson are self-recommending for any book on which they appear: their unprecedented collaboration on The World Atlas of Wine is a guarantee of the most distinguished and intelligent writing on the subject... so it proves. The fifth edition (in 30 years) of this astonishingly successful book lives up to, and surpasses, its predecessors. In 350 densely packed but never clotted pages the authors manage the extraordinary feat of characterising wine production throughout the world, from Vancouver Island to Japan--for Buddhists first planted vines in that inhospitably precipitous, monsoon-lashed land over a thousand years ago. After a substantial introductory section dealing with the history of wine, its making, storage and enjoyment, we're off. Starting (where else?) with France and Burgundy. Each wine area is summarised in terms of its geography, climate and preferred vines; and the appellations, laws and traditions that govern production. The discussion of Pomerol, for example, tells you a great deal in one short page. Even since 1994, when the fourth edition came out, vast changes have swept the wine world, and many parts of the atlas have been correspondingly completely reworked. South America and Canada, Southern France and Italy, Greece, Eastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean are among areas that have benefited. The regional maps which form the core of the book are a triumph of clarity. The whole production constitutes a brilliant achievement of organisation and synthesis, forming an indispensable resource for any wine lover at all interested in where the wine they drink comes from and why it tastes the way it does. --Robin Davidson
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 Superb! March 4, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a great reference book for any wine lover no matter their level of expertise.
The depth of detail is perfectly balanced by the book's easily accessible style of writing which means that, as your knowledge of wine develops, the book still manages to inform.
This work deals not only with wine but also the effect of the "terroir" from which it comes thus giving a really comprehensive understanding of the art of wine.
The book is a perfect gift for anyone who enjoys a glass & wants to expand their knowledge; it's also an essential reference point for anyone wishing to have a career in wine.
 A valuable book for anyone interested in wine November 16, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
One of the first books I bought about wine was The World Atlas of Wine by Hugh Johnson and the latest edition is even better. It was at its conception, and it remains, a fantastic concoction of information, wine labels, descriptions, and photos, all surrounding a map of a specific region or location. It does not really provide specific suggestions or scores on particular wines, but nevertheless it is a great read on a winters evening. The one abiding memory I have of this book is the way it conveyed to me the idea that wine can be made from a fantastic variety of grape and is produced in an enormous number of places and not just a few select locations in France (on a winters evening you can travel from Bergerac, through the Valais, to Stellenbosch).
outstanding March 11, 2006
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Everyone who loves wine loves this book.
I have seen criticisms from other reviewers which are in one sense valid e.g. poor coverage of Austria.
The reality is, it is almost impossible to buy Austrian wine of quality in this country lately, or Hungarian etc etc.
The wine market has changed and until things settle down a bit, this book gives the critical coverage that any wine fan needs for the core historic areas.
The edition of this book that comes in 5 years time will be something that all wine lovers can use but until the world settles itself down, this is the best choice in wine books that you can make
More information on Austrian wines November 4, 2004
6 out of 17 found this review helpful
As in most wine books, I find that Austrian Wines are generally ignored or overlooked by the wine writers. This book is no exception. It does devote a few pages to the wines of Austria but perhaps because of the writers lack of knowledge, ignores the fantastic wine regions of the Weinviertel and Steiermark where some of Austria's best wines are produced. Nearly a third of the book is handed over to the wines of France; perhaps a bit more research should be spent on the other wine producing countries/regions of the world other than that of France which, are starting to dominate the world wine markets. A good read but certainly not worth a 5 star star rating.
Major Improvements to an Outstanding Wine Reference Guide! May 7, 2004
18 out of 19 found this review helpful
Putting the brilliant wine writers Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson together to update the 4th edition of Hugh Johnson's classic work was an inspired choice. Each is superb on her or his own. Together, they are stunning in this, their first collaboration!Whether you want to give a wonderful gift or simply to have a great wine reference, this book is an outstanding choice. The World Atlas of Wine will deepen your pleasure in wines you enjoy, and guide you to wonderful visits to outstanding vineyards and wineries during your travels. Hopefully, your tasting experiences will benefit as a result! If you do not know the predecessor works, let me describe the book's layout. It begins with brief sections on the history of wine; basic facts about the influence of soil, temperature, varietals, wines, wine-making, storage, serving, and tasting; and has helpful information about how to read labels and interpret technical terms. The heart of the book comes in individual essays about wine-growing regions around the world. These are very complete. France has 58 sections, Italy has 18, Germany shares 14, the United States is covered by 12, Spain is represented by 8, Australia has 7, Portugal has 6. Many other countries are covered as well, including parts of the former Soviet Union, the Balkans, North Africa, South America, and smaller countries in Europe. Each individual wine-growing region is organized around an updated map. For this 5th edition, 148 maps were redrawn from the 4th, and 30 new maps were added. These maps show where the major wineries are, different vineyards, qualities of grapes, altitudes, major roads, and locations is cities within the area. In some cases, these maps are also supplemented by detailed examples of soil differences and temperature gradients. Each region has at least one beautiful color photograph to give you a sense of the geography. Within the accompanying essay is a detailed discussion of how the locale affects the taste and qualities of the wines that are produced there. Anyone will find themselves learning a lot from this atlas. Even if you were familiar with a region ten years ago, chances are that it has changed. The atlas will bring you up-to-date. In addition, you can learn about new regions and wineries whose wines may interest you. A nice feature of the book is a bound ribbon for marking your place. Considering the remarkable quality of the contents and reproduction of the maps and images, this book is extremely fairly priced. The predecessor four editions have sold 3.5 million copies over the last 30 years. I think we can safely assume that this volume will sell in the millions as well. If you already own the 4th edition, you would be well advised to buy this one also. Where else can understanding local conditions help you appreciate more about what is going on? How can you gain that experience and knowledge? Let curiosity pull you forth from old habits . . . into better ones!
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