World Encylopedia of Champagne & Sparkling Wine |
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Tom Stevenson
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Pages: 320 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 1891267612
Pub: Wine Appreciation Guild
Pub date: 2003-08
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 233909
Editorial Review:
You have to have a real fizz fetish to buy this for yourself, but it's a great present for someone who has more than just a passing interest in posh sparkling wine and who owns a large, glamorous coffee table.
That's not to say that all the wines featured are posh, but it would be too sadistic to put a review of Laurent-Perrier's Cuvée Grand Siècle 1952 (or the more readily available 1990) in front of a Champagne fan who couldn't afford to buy a bottle. Tom Stevenson has very forceful opinions and great technical tasting abilities. His beautifully put together reference book has been exhaustively researched and his knowledge of people, places and wines that feature here is second-to- none. If there's a criticism, it would be that the book lacks heart.
The author has had more expertise in sparkling wines than any other style--his specialist subject would deny Magnus Magnuson of any "passes". His book, Champagne, was a milestone on the topic and won him just one of his current holding of 22 literary awards. The book has been produced in association with Christies, for whom he gives an annual Champagne Master Class. Buy the book and a few bottles of the most highly recommended sparklers; invite a few friends 'round; forget the Master Class.
Reader Reviews:
Ultimate guide to all things sparkling... (6/6 people found this helpful)
Given to me as a gift for Christmas 2000, this is undoubtedly the book I read most during 2001. It is a detailed, captivating and fascinating encyclopedia of sparkling wine producers, products and regions. Tom Stevenson clearly has vast knowledge of the subject and manages to convery it in a intelligent, fun and passionate manner. The Amazon review which says the book lacks heart is indeed a very strange comment for a book I would say is full of heart.
My only criticism is that the author can lack consitency... for example Dom Perignon is rated in his top seven greatest Champagnes despite only one vintage (1990) receiving his highest three star accolade (whereas Grande Dame or Dom Ruinart have a few three star vintages yet don't make the cut). But then wine is a highly subjective matter.
But I still give the book five stars as it is hard, if not impossible, to imagine that you could find a more comprehensive and readable guide to this most pleasurable form of wine.
A World Classic (4/5 people found this helpful)
I agree with everything in the Amazon review except the comment that this book lacks heart. How can you say all the wonderful things you do about it, especially that the author has "very forceful opinions", and yet not feel the author's passion coming through on every page? This is a must for anyone who has Stevenson's CHAMPAGNE (Sotheby's, 1986). Champagne and sparkling wine lovers have been waiting for a book like this and I for one would like to thank Tom Stevenson for producing such a masterpiece.
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Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> Food & Drink -> General
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Age (feature_two_browse-bin)
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Hardcover