Christie's World Encyclopedia of Champagne & Sparkling Wine [Hardcover]

Tom Stevenson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998

The first in-depth guide to sparkling wines of the world from Champagne to California, Italy to Australia and beyond.

A fascinating first section describes the history of sparkling wine and proves beyond any doubt that it was the English rather than the French who first produced a fizzy wine. The main body of the encyclopedia is devoted to profiles of the world's sparkling wine producers accompanied by tasting notes, recommendations for drinking and good value for your money. Another section lists the author's personal selection of sparkling wines to drink for the Millennium.

Beautifully illustrated and designed with over 600 full color photographs and illustrations, this is the ultimate book for those who love the good things in life and who want to discover the best to welcome in the year 2000.

Tom Stevenson is the world's leading authority on Champagne. He is the author of 14 books and winner of 21 literary awards, including 13 for his works on Champagne. He has been voted Wine Writer of the Year three times!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tom Stevenson is the world's leading authority on Champagne. He is the author of 14 books and winner of 21 literary awards, including 13 for his works on Champagne. He has been voted Wine Writer of the Year three times!

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Wine Appreciation Guild; 1 edition (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 189126706X
• ISBN-13: 978-1891267062
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,242,148 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #29 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Drinks & Beverages > Wine > Champagne

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ultimate sparkling wine reference guide, July 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Christie's World Encyclopedia of Champagne & Sparkling Wine (Hardcover)

This book mentions every sparkling wine you've ever heard of and many more that you haven't. I own several other good champagne books, but if I could only choose one, this would be it. My favorite feature: Stevenson mentions the best wines for each vintage -- something no other book I've found does. Highly recommended.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully illustrated and well researched, February 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Christie's World Encyclopedia of Champagne & Sparkling Wine (Hardcover)

The only book I have found that covers California sparkling wines in depth and provides comparative notes to French Champagnes. Has a lot of weird stuff in it like sparking wine made in India and Kenya. Stevenson is quite witty and acerbic in some of his comments and pulls no punches.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars comprehensive list of all French champagne houses, June 19, 2002

By 

Rosengarten (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christie's World Encyclopedia of Champagne & Sparkling Wine (Hardcover)

This is the bible about all what you always wanted to know about champagne. Who invented it (Dom Perignon), who is the oldest wine producer in the Champagne (Gosset), which is the oldest champagne company (Ruinart) and which is the best champagne (Krug)? Find out all about the difference between Grand Crus, Premier Crus and Grand Marques. But also learn all about the history and the production process of the methode champagnoise. Lastly, there is a comprehensive list of all French champagne houses, including a brief description and rating, as well as a concise overview of the other sparkling wine regions in the world which, however, are not allowed to call their produce champagne anymore nowadays. The real champagne is restricted to the world-famous region East of Paris.