Italian Wines Book?
FGirolami
I am looking for recommendations on books that deal mainly (or
exc;usively) on Italian wines. I have one by Burton Anderson
but it is a bit too rambling. Any suggestions?
Ken Blake
FGirolami <73323...@CompuServe.COM> wrote in message ...
>I am looking for recommendations on books that deal mainly (or
>exc;usively) on Italian wines. I have one by Burton Anderson
>but it is a bit too rambling. Any suggestions?
My two favorites are Anderson's "Vino" (which is probably the one you
say you don't like) and Victor Hazan's (the husband of Marcella, of
Italian cookbook fame) "Italian Wine."
Ken Blake
To respond by E-mail, delete the x in my return address
Jonathan Doran
I also enjoyed "Vino", but wouldn't want to try using it as a reference
source. Mr. Anderson has put out a book through Simon & Schuster
(Fireside), entitled "The Simon & Schuster Guide to the Wines of
Italy." Its part of a series. If you can find it (last pub. 1992),
you should find it both compact and useful, and as close to an
organized presentation of Italian wine as is possible with such a
fabulously fragmentary topic.
By the way, what was the publisher and year for "Italian Wine?" Sounds
like its worth a search.
Jon Doran
Ken Blake <kbl...@xprimenet.com> wrote in article
<6dkpd5$a...@nntp02.primenet.com>...
Ken Blake
Jonathan Doran <2Do...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
<6dmqe8$4...@bgtnsc02.worldnet.att.net>...
>I also enjoyed "Vino", but wouldn't want to try using it as a reference
>source. Mr. Anderson has put out a book through Simon & Schuster
>(Fireside), entitled "The Simon & Schuster Guide to the Wines of
>Italy." Its part of a series. If you can find it (last pub. 1992),
>you should find it both compact and useful, and as close to an
>organized presentation of Italian wine as is possible with such a
>fabulously fragmentary topic.
>
>By the way, what was the publisher and year for "Italian Wine?" Sounds
>like its worth a search.
My copy is Alfred A. Knopf, New York 1982. I don't know if there's been
a newer edition. Come to think of it, I don't even know if it's still in
print.
Ken Sternberg
In article <u1xECX7...@ntawwabp.compuserve.com>, FGirolami
<73323...@CompuServe.COM> wrote:
> I am looking for recommendations on books that deal mainly (or
> exc;usively) on Italian wines.
The best I've seen is "Italian Wine" by Victor Hazan. Published a while
back by Knopf and out of print, but you can still find copies at decent
used book shops. Well worth the effort.
--
WHEN REPLYING please use kster...@acm.org
Peter
On Wed, 04 Mar 1998 16:37:39 -0500, FGirolami
<73323...@CompuServe.COM> wrote:
>I am looking for recommendations on books that deal mainly (or
>exc;usively) on Italian wines. I have one by Burton Anderson
>but it is a bit too rambling. Any suggestions?
Try out the "Gambero Rosso 1998" (Vini d'Italia, Agricola Slow Food),
probably the best known wine guide for Italian stuff. Ratings (the
"three glasses"). Should be available in English language.
Regards, Peter
Cole Kendall
On Fri, 06 Mar 1998 22:03:40 GMT, cold...@nym.alias.net.DO.NOT.SPAM
(Peter) wrote:
>On Wed, 04 Mar 1998 16:37:39 -0500, FGirolami
><73323...@CompuServe.COM> wrote:
>
>>I am looking for recommendations on books that deal mainly (or
>>exc;usively) on Italian wines. I have one by Burton Anderson
>>but it is a bit too rambling. Any suggestions?
>
>Try out the "Gambero Rosso 1998" (Vini d'Italia, Agricola Slow Food),
Er, that should be Arcigola Slow Food, for reasons to complicated for
me to explain. I have seen the Gambero Rosso magazine in English,
along with the miniguide to wines that win 3 "glasses", but I have not
seen the big guide to Italian wines in English. I have seen the guide
to world wines (also interesting) in English.
Cole Kendall, who worries too much about spelling
ckendall at mindspring dot com
CDwin
Cole, according, I think, to the current issue of the English version of the
Gambero Rosso magazine, the first English language version of what you
correctly describe as "the big guide to Italian wines" will be released in
April to coincide with VinItaly. (I have my Italian version of the full 1998
guide but look forward to the English version which may not improve my Italian
but will make the comprehension a lot easier. Now we have to get them to
publish an English version of the annual guide to restaurants in Italy!)
Incidently, the same issue of the magazine indicates that the "miniguide" this
year includes some but not all of the top rated, "three glasses", wines.
With respect to books on Italian wines, I keep forgetting to write down the
authors and names of the books I have at home. Frankly, all the English
language books are sadly out of date, particularly with all that has happened
in Italy in the last few years with VDT wines and revised component DOC and
DOCG wines.
I have always found the Burton Anderson's "Wine Atlas of Italy" in both the
original hardback and the subsequent condensed paperback versions to be the
most useful source of indepth information on Itlaian wines. The current "Books
in Print" includes as a new listing a "Wine Atlas of Italy" by Burton Anderson
AND a co-author, I don't have the name handy, who did not appear as a co-author
on the prior editions. A call to the United States' distributor for the English
publisher found them to be unaware of a new, as opposed to a newly reissued or
co-authored, edition of the book. Attempts to search the Net for the publisher
or booksellers with a new co-authored edition have been totally unsuccessful.
Anybody have any knowledge about a new edition of the Burton Anderson book?
Chuck
Stevino
FGirolami wrote:
>
> I am looking for recommendations on books that deal mainly (or
> exc;usively) on Italian wines. I have one by Burton Anderson
> but it is a bit too rambling. Any suggestions?
The best one I have seen is called "Italy's Noble Red Wines" by the
Wasserman's. It's quite thorough.
Stevino
Jonathan Doran
Stevino,
I have a copy of the Wassermans' book, and it is a nice 3rd or 4th
reference, but I'm not sure that it is the most reliable book out
there. It can be a bit confusing to someone who isn't thoroughly
grounded in the subject, like me for example. Also, as big as the
thing is, I still have better luck finding needed references in other
sources. In addition, I have read reviews of the book which indicate
that some of the material found in the book is, at best, idiosyncratic.
I'm certainly no Italy expert, but I thought I should pass on what I
have heard and experienced concerning it. One nice thing about the
size of this baby; it could make a great foundation for a tool shed or
small summer house.
I still vote for the Burton Anderson books. On the other hand, I sure
wish there were more choices out there.
Jon Doran
Stevino <ste...@flash.net> wrote in article
<350488...@flash.net>...
Michael Pronay
The only problem is that today Wasserman's book is some 15 years old, so do
not expect to find comments on recent developments in the Italian wine
scene.
Cheers,
Michael
Stevino <ste...@flash.net> schrieb im Beitrag <350488...@flash.net>...
:
CDwin
On March 13, 1998, "Michael Pronay" <pro...@telekabel.at> wrote:
>The only problem is that today Wasserman's book is some 15 years old, so do
>not expect to find comments on recent developments in the Italian wine
>scene.
>Cheers,
>Michael
Right you are Michael. Indeed, this is the problem with all of the books in
English covering Italian wines of which I am aware.
I have the following books: the Wasserman book you referred to in your post;
Burton Anderson's " The Simon & Schuster Guide to the Wines of Italy (1992
paperback) [in Britain known as "The Mitchell Beazley Pocket Guide to Italian
Wines"]; Philip Dallas' "Italian Wines" (faber and faber 1983 paperback);
Burton Anderson's "The Wine Atlas of Italy, And Traveller's Guide to the
Vineyards" (1990 hardback).
There is also the Victor Hazan book which I do not have and is as old as the
others.
As I noted earlier, the latest edition of "Books In Print" lists as a new entry
the hardback Burton Anderson book referred to above WITH a co-author "Stuart
Pigott" who is not listed in the first edition. The American importer and
distributor disclaims any knowledge of such an edition. Can anyone in Britain
add any light?
Chuck
Michael Pronay
: >The only problem is that today Wasserman's book is some 15 years old, so
Chuck,
I find it extremely interesting – and it happens the second time – that
books published in the UK do not find their way to US. (The first case was
Duijker/Broadbents "The Bordeaux Atlas & Encyclopaedia of Chateaux".)
Anyhow, I do know Stuart Pigott personally, he does a very fine job as a
wine-writer being based in London and Berlin (married to a German). So I
presume your information might be quite accurate in him having contributed
to the second edition, but unfortunately I cannot help from here.
Cheers,
Michael
IMtheCline
I've not seen the Victor Hazan book--it seems to be out of print. Can anyone
tell me if it's worth the hunt? I think Marcella Hazan is a wonderful food
writer, and so am curious. I'm less concerned with modern practices, which
naturally wouldn't be included in Victor's book, than I am with understanding
the regional distinctions, the history, and the soul of Italian wine. Thanks,
--David
CDwin
David, I have read through parts of Victor Hazan's book, though I do not own a
copy having opted for other books on Italian wines. It will certainly serve the
purpose you have, as will Burton Anderson's "Wine Atlas of Italy" and others.
A side note - I've been surprised and disappointed that Marcella Hazan's superb
Italian cookbooks, I think we own copies of all of them, contain no
recommendations for wines with the individual dishes. After all Victor is right
there to provide the suggestions. I find it useful, but not confining, to know
what the creator of a recipe thinks is the appropriate wine for a particular
dish. Of course, there are no Food Police to enforce that suggestion. ;-)
Chuck
Ken Blake
IMtheCline wrote in message
<199803200709...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...
>I've not seen the Victor Hazan book--it seems to be out of print. Can
anyone
>tell me if it's worth the hunt? I think Marcella Hazan is a wonderful
food
>writer, and so am curious. I'm less concerned with modern practices,
which
>naturally wouldn't be included in Victor's book, than I am with
understanding
>the regional distinctions, the history, and the soul of Italian wine.
Thanks,
>--David
As always, these things are a matter of opinion, but I think the Hazan
book is excellent.
Alberto Braganti
On Wed, 04 Mar 1998 16:37:39 -0500, FGirolami
>I am looking for recommendations on books that deal mainly (or
>exc;usively) on Italian wines. I have one by Burton Anderson
>but it is a bit too rambling. Any suggestions?
You can try the books by Gambero Rosso Editore
via Arenula 53
CAP 00186
ROMA
E-mail : gam...@tin.it
http://www.gamberorosso.it
As far I know, they had published some books and magazines in English.
Ciao
Alberto
Jonathan Doran
Sometimes I get lucky; I just found a copy of the Hazan book at a local
2nd hand bookstore, in hardback--for a dollar (now,...we Celebrate,
HaHa!!! Everyone, fill your glasses!). What can I say, I love a good
bargain. This one's copyright is also 1982, so I'm guessing that this
was the only edition put out. At any rate, I don't believe that this
can be the only copy out there, so why not have a search done for a
used copy? I haven't had the opportunity to look through it just yet,
but given the dearth of references on Italian wine, I'm perfectly
willing to buy it blind and explore it later.
JonD
IMtheCline <imthe...@aol.com> wrote in article
Joe Beppe Rosenberg
Hazan book is an excellent book because it classifies wine on its
"heavyness" and so really helps in food/wine pairings. I use it in my
Italian wine classes--The writing is user friendly.
The best books on Italian wine are Burton Anderson's. The Simon and
Shuster/Beazley Guide early 90's edition is easiest to find. The Wine Atlas
is more comprehensive--less current. "Vino" is beautifully written but many
of the producers and restaurants mentioned have gone, but this the best book
in English for the feel of Italy.
Phillip Dallas' (faber and faber in the US)book is way out of date.
The most enigmatic book is the late Sheldon Wasserman's tome on Italian
reds. The second edition. Great info on crus, technique and terrior.
Highly opinionated on merits of producers. Sheldon's personal
likes/dislikes(about the winemakers) have to be worth +/- one star in his
five star system.
Having spent some time with him, he and his wife had keen palates
and if he lived he could have been the kind of authority Broadbent is on
Bordeaux and Ports.
There are all sorts of books on specific areas. Try to buy one published in
the 90's as many traditional producers are abandoning the "old" style to
make wine in a more "international" mode.
There are may books in Italian--if you a Baroloista look for the late Renato
Ratti's. Wassermens book borrows heavily (with Ratti's permission)from his
classifications of Barolo/Barbaresco crus.
Joe "Beppe" Rosenberg
Winemayven Productions
PS our site is pw2.netcom.com/~wmp1/winemayven.html
Jonathan Doran <2Do...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
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