Vintner's Art: How Great Wines Are Made (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The skills used in the making of wine are directly relevant to the consumer, for the choices made in the vineyard and in the winery are crucial to the quality of the end product. Here, for the first time, is a book that enlightens the wine lover on the "hows" and "whys" of the winemaker's choices.

Today, winemakers have at their disposal an unprecedented array of opportunities to influence the way their wine will taste: science and technology have granted them creative power undreamt of only twenty years ago. Wine is no longer entirely the product of nature; it is a collaboration, and one in which the winemaker is becoming more and more the dominant partner.

The winemaker's choices begin in the vineyard with the selection of the grape variety and the way it will be farmed. In the winery, every step poses questions, from crushing the grapes to bottling the wine. The sum total of the decisions taken by the winemaker is the taste of the wine in our glass, and this book explains how this taste is achieved.

Hugh Johnson and James Halliday explore this fast-moving new world, looking at the influence of tradition, the effects of modern technology, and the latest thinking of winemakers from every continent.

For everyone for whom a glass of wine is worth a moment's reflection, this is an essential book. Beautiful, absorbing, and entertaining, The Vintner's Art combines the best in wine writing with dramatic modern design, using graphics and superb photography.

About the Author

Hugh Johnson's reputation as the world's leading wine writer was confirmed by Vintage: The Story of Wine (1989) and its accompanying television series, which was described by the London Observer as "TV's first food or drink masterpiece." His World Atlas of Wine is now in its third edition and is accepted worldwide as the classic wine reference book. His Pocket Wine Book is an annual best-seller in eight countries.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; FIRST EDITIION FIRST PRINTING edition (October 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671728881
• ISBN-13: 978-0671728885
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #343,789 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book appeals to wine makers as well as enthusiasts., October 27, 1998

By A Customer

While this book will appeal to a broad audience of wine lovers, it will also have a special appeal to a narrower audience of wine makers. I count myself in both categories, so I'll offer two examples of this fine book's appeal: As a wine enthusiast, I discovered that New Zealand and South Africa are making wonderful Sauvignon Blanc. As a winemaker, I learned more about how Bordeaux winemakers derive the classic balance between approachable flavor and aging potential; and how the Australians use barrel fermentation of red wines to tame the assertive characteristics of their Shiraz. This is a MUST read for oenophiles!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, February 20, 1999

By A Customer

James Halliday and Hugh Johnson do a fabulous job of explaining different wine styles and the reasons for the differences.

Terrific photos and diagrams. A good read and an outstanding reference for winemakers and wine lovers. One oddity... they managed to write the book without using the word "zinfandel".

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Winemakers Options, September 22, 2002

By	R. Apte (Palo Alto, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Winemaking books come in three flavors. For beginners, some books present scores of 'home' recipies including fruits, veggies, meads, beers, &c. At the other extreme are advanced textbooks for enology courses. And in the middle are a few intermediate books that focus on simple wines, but without hinting all the vintner's options.

Johnson and Halliday assume a basic knowledge of making and tasting wine and proceed to discuss all the options open to the winemaker. Simple charts depicting sequences of events are unique to this book and quite interesting.

I still can't put it down. For a winemaker its a wealth of ideas and possibilities.