The Oxford Companion to Wine

Everything you could possibly want to know about wine, in one fully up-to-date A-Z volume!

The Oxford Companion to Wine is a uniquely comprehensive and in-depth A-Z reference book on every aspect of wine: more than 4,000 entries covering topics from history through geography, geology, soil science, viticulture, winemaking, packaging, academia, technology, and regulations to people and places, tasting, writing, and the language of wine. The system of cross-references takes the reader from one entry to another, showing how all these topics are interconnected in the fascinating story of wine in its most traditional and modern forms.

This new fifth edition, which benefits from the knowledge and experience of over one hundred new contributors, all experts in their field or geographical region, is expanded by 272 new entries, and every existing entry has been reviewed, updated, and polished. The text is more international than ever, written for wine lovers of every persuasion, including those who love wine but want to know more in order to increase their enjoyment of this endlessly fascinating liquid, and those who are intent on studying wine, professionally or privately. This is a huge treasure trove of knowledge, for the first time breaking the barrier of one million words, but the alphabetical format and the links between the entries make it easily navigable, and the language, while not shying away from complex science, is intended to open the door to every curious reader looking for answers on every question they have ever wanted to ask about wine.

MEDIA REVIEWS

This encyclopaedic book is remarkably up-to-date. An indispensable resource for both the novice wine enthusiast and the seasoned sommelier...what sets the Companion apart from other wine guides is its commitment to accuracy and depth...more than just a book, it's an odyssey into the captivating world of wine. An indispensable asset for anyone with an interest in wine. Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or a casual enthusiast, this book promises to be a valuable addition to your collection. Anyone seriously interested in wine needs to get a copy of the latest 5th edition...

Every page is densely packed with information, there isn't a single wasted word. And it's no wonder, given it is edited by two of wine's powerhouses, Julia Harding MW and Jancis Robinson OBE MW...With Tara Q. Thomas as assistant editor the fifth edition, The Oxford Companion to Wine has an impressive all female trio at the helm. Simply put, there is no other wine reference such as this... you should definitely pick up a copy, or if you know anyone who does, it will make an incredibly nice Christmas gift!

This is simply a supremely practical and astonishingly comprehensive reference book. It's not always worth buying follow-on editions of classic books, but the fourth outing of the Oxford Companion to Wine contains lots of new material. If you're looking for a Christmas present for the wine lover in your life or just want to own a copy yourself, this is the most comprehensive wine tome on the market.

A vital book to have in every wine lover's house...a distillation of the work of global authorities on viniculture, winemaking and wine...this new edition will be used endlessly. ... even more astonishing than the depth and breadth of revision is the degree of change thats happened in the wide world of wine in the last 10 years to which this edition is testimonial. Its a handy barometer on how the wine world is doing.

The revisions for this new edition have been admirably and impeccably thorough... There also is plenty of humor, a quality often lacking in reference works. Written with authority, and sometimes a humour so sly you have to do a double take, this [fourth edition] is still the best place to turn for answers to all your wine queries. If someone is to own just one wine book, Ms. Robinson's mighty effort is the fail-safe proposition. become an armchair expert with the renowned Oxford Companion to Wine A solid update of a vital reference from a towering authority in the field. This giant tome is a must for wine aficionados, combining meticulously-researched fact with refreshing opinion and wit This is the ultimate desert island wine book... gloriously rich on fact... surely the worlds best general wine reference book magnificently comprehensive book...

If you're a wine novice, this one volume could teach you more about wine than any other; and if you're a full-time wine professional, you will still find much in here that you didn't know ... no editors could have brought us a volume closer to perfection than Jancis Robinson and Julia Harding have done Thousands of wine students across the globe will rejoice in this unparalleled work of reference and see it as an essential starting point for further study. As a source of well-honed, succinct definitions, the Companion is invaluable ... The revisions for this new edition have been admirably and impeccably thorough ... Even if your bookshelf already groans under the weight of the previous edition, purchasing this revision will be money well spent. In the case of wine, as in so many other spheres, knowledge increases enjoyment exponentially.

Quite apart from being such a splendid reference work, the book feeds curiosity MUST-BUY BOOK ... this is the most comprehensive wine tome on the market go-to guide If you don't own her [Jancis Robinson] magnificent work, then it may be the most essential wine book any enthusiast should possess -- a fastidiously researched and well-crafted book on just about everything on wine from a-z. I can't live without this book, and have purchased every version since it first came out. It's my go-to reference for research into current and historical grapes and wines. Over 4,000 entries on every wine-related topic imaginable... It's an essential piece for every wine-lover's shelves. The most eagerly-awaited and widely-talked about wine book of the past year...

FT columnist Robinson remains one of the world's most respected impartial commentators on wine The world's most useful wine book The 4th edition is more than ever the indispensable reference about the most complex alcoholic beverage on the planet. The team assembled by Robinson and Harding represent some of the finest minds in their respective fields. By some distance the greatest wine reference book ever created New research, new trends, new players, new rules, new priorities. No wonder we needed a new edition.

The authors and editors have done a distinct service to the wine world with this edition. 'Must Buy Book'. The fourth outing of The Oxford Companion to Wine contains lots of new material... If you're looking for a present for the wine lover in your life, this is the most comprehensive wine tome on the market. A must-have in any serious wine library. Even wine writers refer, and defer, to it. sheer abundance and global spread of information... some sort of awesomesauce a handy barometer on how the wine world is doing The glorious fourth edition is not just a must-own for any wine professional, it is also a must-buy for any drink-loving wine-hound. A masterpiece of vinous scholarship. This is Essential reading. Robinson and Harding, along with their team of contributors, have managed to keep the Oxford Companion fresh. there is plenty to discover As well as a huge weight of information, this wonderful book also manages to entertain and delight. Indispensable. This book is as perfect and up to date as you can possibly require ... This book is pleasing to read, endlessly fascinating, both un-put-downable and awesome for quick reference. I have totally fallen in love with it This weighty tome, now in its fourth edition, is the definitive guide to all aspects of wine and its culture from grape to glass ... there is plenty to discover whether you want to dip in for a sip of knowledge or prefer a deep glug of wine facts and stats ... More than 150,000 copies sold suggests it is accepted as a key manual for wine lovers. This meticulously detailed dictionary—encyclopedia hybrid will answer any question readers have about wine and probably any oenology question from anyone on Earth, or beyond, now and forever. The best wine books for the gift-giving season: if one wine book is all you can accommodate, this is it. You won't be disappointed. It's my number one go-to reference book. [T]he essential book for serious wine students.