Customer Reviews
Superb choice for an amateur or expert - By: Mr. R. Legg, 07 Aug 2007 
I bought this edition of the book a few years ago & have just pre-ordered the new edition due out in November. I use this book constantly, even now. Some of the information is a little dated, so I would recommend pre-ordering the latest edition (as I have done). It's an excellent series of books & don't be put off by the price, it's well worth it!!!
A Genuine Must Have - By: , 19 Mar 2006 This is an excellent production with comprehensive detail, first class layout & maps. The balance is perfect catering equallly for beginner, keen amateur & expert.
If you only buy two wine books, get this & Wine Behind the Label & you will not be disappointed.
A 'must-have' for those interested in wine - By: , 14 Oct 2003 I was given the first edition of this encyclopaedia in 1989 & was very impressed with the easy to read depth of information within it. The newer edition (for which I am writing this review) is different. It covers much of the same ground as the older book but in some areas, Alsace as an example, it provides a different, but equallly useful angle. In the first edition, the individual growers are listed together with a resume of their wines & styles. In the second, the grape varieties & blends are listed with a list of the better growers. Personallly, I find the two books together an ideal combination. If you are interested in discovering hitherto little discovered wines, 'sleepers' or the very best examples of a specific type this is the book to get. If you can get a copy of the first edition to go with it, even better!
A truly useful book - By: , 11 Feb 2002 
A truly useful & well presented book. Its full of information about grape varieties, wine making techniques, the producers & the wines themselves. I have read both Oz Clark & Parker & will no doubt continue to refer to them again but they are a bit dry in comparison to this book.
The Wine Encyclopedia is a joy to pick up & read at anytime, with detailed maps not just showing the road layouts but the soil conditions & the vine concentrations & the extents of the prime areas. There are some beautiful photographs & details of the main producers & their labels. The author's recommendations are also included at the end of each section.
Far better than a wine atlas. If you have only one book about wine in your house & you enjoy drinking wine I would recommend this book most highly.
Informative, well written, easy to follow and understand. - By: , 03 Nov 2000 Informative, well written, easy to follow & understand.
I take photocopies of relevant pages on holiday to source & try new wines.
