Vino Italiano: Discovering the Regional Wines of Italy
Clarkson Potter, March, 2002.
Trade paperback, 444 pages.
ISBN: 0609608487
Italy produces more wine than any other
nation in the world, from more than three
hundred delimited wine zones. Add in
confusing labeling customs (confusing to
Americans, at least) and you have what is -- for most
people -- a very
daunting subject.
Author Joseph Bastianich is the co-owner (with Mario Batali)
of Babbo, Esca, Lupa, and Italian Wine Merchants. David
Lynch is the wine director at Babbo and has
been a senior editor at Wine & Spirits. Together, Bastianich
and Lynch have created a comprehensive reference
book which is a must-have for any wine lover.
The book is divided into three parts: the Basics (history, law and labeling), the Regions (in which all 21 regions are explored with maps), and Reference Materials (a glossary of wine terms, annotated listings of the grape varieties, listings of all appellations, and a producer directory). The descriptions of each region and its wines are very entertaining, and the authors excel at making a complex subject accessible. This is an outstanding resource which has been sorely needed.
Vino Italiano: Discovering the Regional Wines of Italy is available for purchase on Amazon.com
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This review was published in the July-August, 2002 of The Internet Writing Journal.
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