Customer Reviews

Riesling Renaissance (Mitchell Beazley Drink S.)

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This is a beautifully written overview (192pp)of world Riesling production, with particular focus on German/Germanic production which many of still feel is the core of great Rieslings. The writer has been a noteworthy London-based merchant for almost 50 years, and his experience translates into gratifying narrative with many personal reminiscences; the small volume is greatly enhanced by superb graphics, including maps and first-class photos of the sites, architectural detail (such as the evocative 50 degree latitude marker among the vines at Schloss Johannisberg) and portraits of current owners.

While hardly comprehensive (such a volume remains to be written), it's an admirable and delightful snapshot of the vine today.

Although not long on detail, I found this book to be an excellent reference point on the top producers in Germany, Alsace, and in New World winemaking regions. The photos were also breathtaking.

This was the most disappointing book ever.

You would think that given the entire book is devoted to Riesling, that there would actually be a lot of information about Riesling in the book. However, that is not the case. Instead the book is just a collection of 1/2 page overviews of the different Riesling producers. The overviews go into so little depth that they are essentially worthless. They are primarily devoted to telling you how the current owner acquired the business.

The actual discussion of Riesling takes place in 4 pages. That's right, 4 pages. Of course, the majority of those 4 pages simply talk in very abstract terms about the fact that Riesling is becoming more popular than it used to be. So there really is nothing in terms of the factual information you might expect.

Here is a very brief list of the topics NOT included in this book.
No discussion of the different Riesling QMP levels (kabinett, spatlese, auslese, etc.)
No discussion of exactly how Riesling is produced.
No discussion of how to purchase Riesling, or auctions, or distribution methods.
No discussion of how to drink Riesling (audouze method, temperature, etc.).
ETC.

The nice color pictures in this book are its only redeeming quality.

DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK

Nice layout, Easy to read. Good data points on the region. 'nough said.