Knowing and Making Wine (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Alan F. G. Spencer (Translator) "Tasting (sometimes called organoleptic examination or sensory analysis) is the appreciation by sight, taste, and smell of the sensory properties of a wine..." (more)
Key Phrases: polyphenol index, ferric casse, suppleness index, Days Figure, Asti Spumante, Metallic Casse (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Translated from the French by Alan Spencer, this authoritative account by a highly respected and expert French enologist offers a complete survey of wine-making techniques and wine appreciation in easy to understand terms without complicated chemical formulae. Treats every aspect of wine science from both the theoretical and practical point of view. Provides the student or professional with the opportunity to solve problems which arise and guides them to the proper solutions.

Language Notes

Text: English, French (translation)

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Interscience (November 7, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047188149X
• ISBN-13: 978-0471881490
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #203,268 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thorough, "scientific" study of wine making, February 11, 1997

By A Customer

This classic by French oenologist Peynaud is dense and intellectual, chock full of charts and detailed descriptions of the chemical reactions that go into the making and aging of wine. Intended primarily for the serious, advanced wine fancier (or wine maker), it's rightly regarded as a classic

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A work of true genius!, December 14, 2002

By	John Morgan "johnebham" (Mazama, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This book differed from any other winemaking reference I have encountered. While the text is aging and some of the information is therefore of questionable accuracy (eg: "open top fermenters are losing favor for red wine vinification"), I found these lapses to be mostly in the category of trends in practice and therefore obvious. These minor shortcomings are overwhelmed by the unique viewpoints of a man known rightfully as one of the wine worlds giants. There are brilliant insights into vinification and wine structure in this book that I have encountered nowhere else. Not in other texts, symposia, trade journals or conversations with great winemakers. If you are a professional or serious amateur winemaker, buy this book and read it. Then read it again. Thank you Monsieur Peynaud for this gift.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Bible for the truly serious wine student, August 22, 1999

By A Customer

Peynaud's stature in the wine world is legendary. He trained a copule of generations of Bordeaux winemakers, and through his words you can gain insight into classic winemaking and classic beliefs of that major region. The book is highly technical--I ended up reading it twice, to understand it fully. But Peynaud is also a poet, and a philospher, and his language is beautiful. This is a book that you'll refer to for your lifetime--provided that you're really serious about understanding the principles and philosophies behind winemaking.