The Classic Wine Library Reader

The Classic Wine Library is home to some of the world's most trusted expert writing on wine. This anthology gathers together selected essays from nearly 30 titles, published over the last 10 years. The chapters cover topics essential to understanding the wines of a range of regions, including their history, wine growing, winemaking and signature wines. The wide range of subjects include:




The beginnings of viticulture - explaining how people learned to tame the wild tree-climbing Vitis vinifera and turn it into orderly vineyards;
Addressing South Africa's apartheid legacy - detailing efforts made by the wine industry to create equal opportunities for black and coloured workers;
Australia's old vines - revealing the history and extent of the country's impressive collection of ungrafted vines;
Qvevri: the vessel of dreams - discussing how these traditional clay vessels are formed, and used to make wines;
The wines of Japan - looking at one of the world's most newly emerged wine-producing countries and seeing how its wines have been transformed over the last decade;
Tavel - exploring the history and winemaking methods behind the Rhone's famous rose wine and learning how changing fashions in wines have affected its fortunes.


The articles feature wine regions across the globe, from Old World favourites in the heart of Europe to New World heavyweights such as South Africa and New Zealand to emerging regions like Great Britain and the southwest USA. The Classic Wine Library Reader will expand your wine knowledge and enhance your bookshelf.