Eyewitness Companions: Wines of the World: Your Essential Handbook (Eyewitness Companion Guides)

Ecompassing thirty-five major wine-producing regions, this compact, illustrated handbook identifies wines made in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, North and South America, and the Far East and furnishes helpful information on top producers, must-have vintages, grape varieties, wineries, and more. Contents 4 How to Use This Guide 6 The World of Wine 10 History & Culture of Wine 14 What is Terroir? 22 Grape Varieties 26 In the Vineyard 34 In the Winery 38 Wine Styles 42 France 46 Bordeaux 58 Burgundy 88 The Rhône Valley 118 South of France 136 The Loire Valley 150 Champagne 164 Alsace 176 Italy 184 Northwest Italy 194 Northeast Italy 214 Central Italy 236 South Italy & the Islands 268 Spain 286 Northern Spain 292 Central & Southern Spain 314 Portugal 324 Germany, Austria & Switzerland 344 Germany 346 Austria & Switzerland 370 Central & Eastern Europe 386 Hungary 392 Romania 398 Bulgaria 402 Czech Republic & Slovakia 406 Slovenia & Croatia 412 Southeastern Europe 418 Greece 424 Lebanon, Israel & Turkey 432 Cyprus 439 South Africa 440 The Cape Peninsula & Surrounds 456 USA 470 California 478 Pacific Northwest 508 New York State 520 Chile & Argentina 530 Australia 552 South Australia 560 New South Wales 574 Victoria & Tasmania 588 Western Australia 602 New Zealand 612 Other Wine-Producing Countries 628 Reading a Wine Label 642 Buying Wine 644 Storing & Serving Wine 646 Tasting Wine 648 Wine & Food Matching 652 Glossary 656 Further Reference 664 Index 666 Acknowledgments 685 International wine experts bring the wine cellar of the world to your home Follow the story of wine, from ancient to modern times and learn the process of making it today. You'll explore the flavours and characteristics of grape varieties and styles and discover all about wine making.From Alsace and Western Australia to the Valle d'Aosta and Stellenbosch, hop on a round-the-world tour of major wine-growing regions and explore the top thirty-five.You'll visit famous vineyards and wine producers, learn about the great wines of each region and take six tours from Burgundy to the Napa Valley.Packed with information on local foods, festivals and interesting places to visit as well as practical tips on buying, storing and serving wine, reading labels and making sense of jargon.

from Alsace To Western Australia, And From Piedmont, Italy To The Colchagua Wine Valley Of Chile, wines Of The World Delivers Essential Information About Each Of The 35 Major Wine-producing Regions In The World. With Detailed Reports On The Top Producers; Must-have Vintages; Maps; Buying Guides; And The Style, Characteristics, And Flavors Of Hundreds Of Wines - This Is An Unrivalled, Lavishly Illustrated, And Portable Guide For Anyone Interested In Learning More About Wines.

author Biography: Contributors Include: Susam Keevil, Stephen Brook, Julie Besonen, And Kathleen Buckley.