The Finest Wines of Tuscany and Central Italy: A Regional and Village Guide to the Best Wines and Their Producers (The World's Finest Wines) [Paperback]

Nicholas Belfrage MW (Author), Hugh Johnson (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: The World's Finest Wines | Publication Date: October 14, 2009

The wines of Tuscany were famous long before Leonardo da Vinci described them as "bottled sunshine," and they are at the forefront of the remarkable renaissance of Italian wine over the past 30 years. In this groundbreaking new book, Nicolas Belfrage shares his insider's knowledge acquired as a specialist wine trader and writer. Mindful of the region's fascinating past, Belfrage brings its story up to date, discussing such subjects as geology and geography, grape varieties, and the latest research into Sangiovese, the variety used in the top wines of Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. He also clarifies the regulatory framework and follows the recent controversial developments in viticulture and winemaking, including the rise of the Super-Tuscans and the ongoing "Brunellogate" scandal that broke in 2008. At the heart of the book are in-depth, illustrated profiles of more than 90 of the most interesting producers, large and small, with insightful notes on the essential character of their finest wines. The author also offers a comprehensive review of vintages and selects his top 100 wines in ten different categories, while wines of special quality or value are indicated throughout.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Straightforward yet refreshingly opinionated."--New York Times

"Any serious Italophile needs this book." A Best Book of 2009--Wine & Spirits Magazine

"An excellent introduction to Tuscany's viticultural renaissance. "--Pittsburgh Tribune Review

About the Author

Nicolas Belfrage MW has worked with Italian wine, either in the trade or as a writer, since the early 1970s and qualified as a Master of Wine in 1980, the first American to achieve this honor. He is the author of Barolo to Valpollicella: The Wines of Northern Italy and Brunello to Zibibbo: Tuscany, Central and Southern Italy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (October 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520259424
• ISBN-13: 978-0520259423
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #169,669 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #34 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Drinks & Beverages > Wine > Buying Guides

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Molto Buona, June 14, 2010

By 

Ursiform (Torrance, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: The Finest Wines of Tuscany and Central Italy: A Regional and Village Guide to the Best Wines and Their Producers (The World's Finest Wines) (Paperback)

To be clear, this is a guide to the history and present practice of winemaking in Tuscany and surrounding areas, and of the major wine estates in the area. The author is a Master of Wine, and he does offer opinions on some of the wines (many of them older vintages you can't buy) of each of the producers he covers. But this is not a guide listing hundreds of wines with descriptions and ratings; for that look elsewhere.

This is a great overview of how Central Italy became the important international force in wine it is today, and the people who have made it so. It also discusses the different regions of Central Italy, which grapes thrive where, how winemaking differs between them, and what to expect from the wines. I had planned to sample this book for selective information. Instead, I was drawn in and just read it through. If your interest in Italian wine goes beyond what to buy for dinner or order in a restaurant, this is a terrific book. It far exceeded the expectations I had when I ordered it. Best enjoyed with a good glass of wine!

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very useful, November 3, 2009

By 

Luiz Malzone (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Finest Wines of Tuscany and Central Italy: A Regional and Village Guide to the Best Wines and Their Producers (The World's Finest Wines) (Paperback)

This book is very useful for wine lovers who already know the basics about Tuscany wines and region and wish to know something else. Colours and images make a very special presentation, as well as the family touch when showing the different generations of wine producers.