Customer Reviews

Languedoc-Roussillon: The Wines & Winemakers

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It is rare to find a book devoted to the Languedoc Rousillon region, and rarer to find one devoted to that region's wines. Paul Strang does a great job of explaining the recent changes in the Languedoc wine industry and focuses on the pioneers of excellence in a region known more for its bulk table wine. His commentary is interesting and enlightening. His reviews and simple rating and pricing guides for the top wines of selected producers are easy to understand. His recommendations are rarely disappointing. On a recent tour of the region this book was invaluable. Discovering new producers, different grape varieties and interesting, often excellent wines, made the visit more enjoyable. In a region that produces thousands of different labels of varying quality, this book will help you to avoid disappointment in buying and enjoying Languedoc wines.

For years I have been searching for wine from this region, as the quality is amazing virus the amount that you have to spend. Paul Strang's book clued me into the politics of the region from the Greek and Roman times to now. It was during the Roman times that the natives of Languedoc were known for their "proverbial drunkeness." After reading this, not only do I understand this region better and am planning on visiting as soon as I can, but I am also a much more informed wine consumer. Forget the overpriced Bordeaux's, Paul guides you through some of the best wine for the dollar.

I think I was the partner of Paul Strong/Strang in his law firm in London. Our partnership meetings, or more correctly dinners, convinced me that here was a man who is so multi talented, that I was embarrassed to be his partner. Although, as memory serves me, he poured more gin than wine down my eager, but inexperienced throat, even some 30 years ago I knew that he was a 'professional' in the region of France that he loved. This region is to the west of the Languedoc-Roussillion area where I have had a home for 12 years, but his analysis of the local wines is 'spot-on' and any newcomer to our area needs to heed his advice. He covers many of the vineyards that I have found, faut de mieux, and I think he understands how the local vigneron are struggling, in this competitive market, to exploit the huge advantages they have in climate, terroir, and centuries of experience, brought up-to-date by modern wine-making expertise from all over the world,both old and new.

Great book, well written; maybe a little dated although...

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