Author Description

Learn the difference between Pouilly Fume and Pouilly Fuisse with this comprehensive guide to appellations-and find out who produces the best of each. French Wines is an authoritative and highly readable handbook to wines of France filled with practical, accessible information. Every wine-producing district is profiled with valuable insight and detail, including summaries of such vital influences as climate, soil type, aspect and grape varieties used. It includes special features on Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Loire, and Rhone each with a wine tour and regional food features. Entries are comprehensively mapped, and illustrated with especially commissioned photography. Wines and their producers are concisely described, with pretension-free tasting notes as well as vintage and maturity charts. The best examples are illustrated in bottle or label form for instant identification. Opening with an introduction to France's wine, covering its history, wine-making techniques and classification system, French Wines also includes a wine tour of the country which is cartographically illustrated, and backed up with essential practical information. Throughout it offers helpful advice on tasting, buying, storing, and serving wines. As well it provides a useful listing that matches foods with their ideal wine partner, and a comprehensive glossary of wine terminology explained with great clarity. For both those who are just beginning to develop an appreciation for wine and those who are already dedicated oenophiles, French Wines is a beautifully illustrated and detailed guide to one of the greatest wine regions of the world.