Oz Clarke's Bordeaux: The Wines, the Vineyards, the Winemakers [Hardcover]

Oz Clarke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 7, 2007

Bordeaux has always been the center of attention in the wine world, with some of the greatest wines, the most historic châteaux, and the highest level of glamour and prestige. And, despite increasing competition from new classic wine areas around the world, it still accounts for more than 90 percent of global wine futures and auction markets.

In his trademark A-to-Z format, Oz profiles more than three hundred of Bordeaux’s most important châteaux as well as their second wines and discount brands, and recommends and describes hundreds of other châteaux. With color photos, wine labels, charts, and maps throughout, this volume covers each of Bordeaux’s subregions in sumptuous detail—fully exploring the area’s history, geography, soils, and grape varieties.

Oz is at his witty, incisive best on this region, which he has both championed and challenged for years. With his vivid descriptions of the area as well as his knowledge of classic and best-value wines, this is an essential book for all lovers of Bordeaux wine.

Editorial Reviews

Review

PRAISE FOR OZ CLARKE

"I admire the energy which comes from every page, the enormous feeling of discovery which Clarke always generates, and which makes him such a fine advocate for wine."—WINE MAGAZINE

"Clarke’s style provides an easy read: Sharp without being sarcastic, witty without being flippant, he communicates well with novice and knowledgeable wine enthusiasts alike."—WINE ENTHUSIAST

From the Inside Flap

Oz Clarke has always loved the Bordeaux region and its wines. Home of the most famous wine châteaux in the world – Latour, Lafite, Margaux, Petrus, Yquem -- Bordeaux is at the center of attention in the wine world. Creating some of the world’s greatest Cabernets and Merlots, Bordeaux produces more wine than Australia and accounts for over 90 percent of global wine futures and auction markets. With a rich spectrum that ranges from world-famous producers to peasant winemakers, Bordeaux is where any winemaker aspiring to greatness looks for inspiration.

In this new guide, Oz Clarke has created the essential book for all lovers of Bordeaux wine. He discusses wines at every level: from the truly great classics commanding legendary prices to everyday wines that can offer quality as well as value for the money. He has recently tasted thousands of wines to bring you Bordeaux’s best buys for any budget or preferred style.

Beautifully produced with many commissioned color photographs, labels, and maturity and vintage charts, Oz Clarke’s Bordeaux also includes stunning panoramic maps of Bordeaux’s top vineyard areas that show the precise location of individual châteaux.

Returning to his wine roots, Oz Clarke shows that however much we now appreciate wine from all over the world, there is still nothing quite as magical as the best bottles from the best producers in this ancient and glamorous wine region.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (May 7, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0151013004
• ISBN-13: 978-0151013005
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 7.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #972,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Drinks & Beverages > Wine > Collecting

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very good supplement to other books on Bordeaux, June 20, 2009

By 

jsa (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Oz Clarke's Bordeaux: The Wines, the Vineyards, the Winemakers (Hardcover)

This is a very enjoyable book to leaf through, filled with a variety of photographs along with many interesting sidebars and lists of wines to sample; however, because the focus is on Clarke's love affair with the Bordeaux region and its wines, and because much of the text assumes knowledge of complex subject matter that many readers will not have, it's not necessarily a good primer for those who are just beginning to make their way through the maze of Bordeaux wines. Look to Stephen Brook's "The Complete Bordeaux" for that.

A couple of other caveats: Clarke could have used a better editor as many sentences ramble on to the point of incomprehension. And while the book is filled with gorgeous photographs, I would like to have seen fewer photos in which the author appears. Do we really need to see Oz Clarke getting a facial in a Bordeaux spa?

Despite these quibbles, "Oz Clarke's Bordeaux" is a fascinatingly eclectic book that any Bordeaux enthusiast would do well to have on their shelf. I bought a copy through an Amazon reseller for a few dollars - a steal at that price.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Fascinating, and informative, November 30, 2008

By 

David Nardella (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Oz Clarke's Bordeaux: The Wines, the Vineyards, the Winemakers (Hardcover)

Clarke's book is a must for anyone interested in learning more about Bordeaux. His passion and jovial approach to the subject made it a page-turner, and also a resource manual. Actually, I have purchased many wines based on his reviews contained within the book.

My only slight criticism is the way in which he rated almost every year from every vineyard as being "their best years." That certainly cannot be and I would have rather had him be a little more critical, and less diplomatic. That could simply be the difference between myself and American, and Mr. Clarke, a Brit.... :).

Great book, do buy it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a beautiful book, December 18, 2008

By 

David Smith "smithdav" (Penn Valley, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Oz Clarke's Bordeaux: The Wines, the Vineyards, the Winemakers (Hardcover)

This is a beautiful book. Great color photos, useful maps. Clearly this is written by someone who not only loves the wine but loves and is familiar with the region. It is nostalgic but also gives a huge amount of information. Great for coffetables or at the bedside.