The Heart of Bordeaux: The Greatest Wines from Graves Chateaux [Hardcover]

James Lawther (Author), Alain Benoit (Photographer), Hugh Johnson (Preface), Michel Bettane (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2009

This beautiful and informative book reveals both the history and the distinctive characteristics of the 16 wines that comprise the Crus Classés (classified growths) of Bordeaux’s Graves region. Named for the area’s gravelly soil, Graves is known for its fine reds (primarily Cabernet Sauvignon) and whites (Sauvignon blanc and Sémillon). 

With individual chapters on each of the châteaux, including Haut-Brion, Bouscaut, Olivier, Pape Clément, Smith Haut Lafitte, Domaine de Chevalier, and 10 others, the book describes in detail the history of the estate and its wine production. Gorgeous photographs of the vineyards, the residences, and the surrounding countryside are accompanied by archival material that gives a sense of the great history of this area. As an added bonus, The Heart of Bordeaux features recipes created by some of the world’s great chefs—Daniel Boulud, Pierre Gagnaire, and Eric Ripert among them—to complement one of the fine wines of Graves’ classified growths.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James Lawther, a former wine merchant, obtained the prestigious Master of Wine diploma in 1993. Now based in Bordeaux, he is an independent consultant, lecturer, and writer, notably for the British magazine Decanter.

Hugh Johnson has been one of the world’s best-known wine experts for more than 40 years. He is the author of numerous bestsellers in the wine world, including his 2006 autobiography, A Life Uncorked.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Stewart, Tabori & Chang (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584798149
• ISBN-13: 978-1584798149
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 9.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,555,358 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Strictly coffee table, August 25, 2009

By 

Chambolle (Bainbridge Island, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: The Heart of Bordeaux: The Greatest Wines from Graves Chateaux (Hardcover)

No question, this book is lovely to look at. It includes a brief photo essay and profile of each of an interesting group of sixteen Graves estates, from the top tier Chateaux Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion, to consistent and elegant Domaine de Chevalier, to some more off the beaten path strivers, like Chateaux de Fieuzal and Couhins-Lurton. For each of the estate profiles, there is a recipe matching a good recent vintage from each property with food from a star chef. Yes, one day I will open a bottle of 2005 Haut Brion (actually, I'd be more likely to pull a bottle of Haut Brion from the 80s out of the cellar, what a shame to open a 2005 anytime in the next decade or more!) with Daniel Boulud's "roasted squab with foie gras, peppered apricots, spinach and turnip confit." Sounds like a great Graves-friendly plat and the recipe does not appear to be a merely "aspirational" exercise -- a reasonably skilled and careful home cook could likely pull it off with aplomb.

However, do not look to this volume for a detailed history of the region or of any of the sixteen chateaux featured here. Don't seek any depth of analysis. In fact, don't even look for a bibliography or an index -- you won't find one. This large format volume is mostly about being pretty, which it undeniably does tastefully and well.