Recommended: books

Recommended: books

In each edition WINELIFE tips you the best books
Image: Unsplash, supplied

 

ON CHAMPAGNE

At bubble edition 92 of WINELIFE, a book about champagne should not be missing. But On Champagne is more than an English-language wine book, it is 'a tapestry of tales to celebrate the greatest sparkling wine of all'. It is sharing knowledge about how to keep this festive wine and the eponymous region alive. It is the hows and whys about this wine that is so much more than a glass of bubbly. It is about champagne in today's world and its aspirations for the future.

In On Champagne, the thoughts, opinions and conclusions of the world's best champagne writers come together to reveal the trajectory of this wine; from the myth of its accidental discovery - not in France, we discover, but in the cider cellars of England - to the development of a high-tech champagne fit for space travel.

The book tells of the journey that begins and ends with capturing that sparkle in a bottle, enchanting us along the way with the nuances of its chalky terroir. The stories cover the determination of rebels from Ambonnay to Avize and the mystery of a champagne cellar under the sea. We meet the pioneers who created the great champagnes of the past and the personalities who 'greened' this landscape. Concerns about climate change and how to shape champagnes of the future are also discussed. All this alongside multiple layers of history and an account of the unpredictable climate of this northern corner of France. In short, read the - English-language - stories about the classics, the innovators and why this wine can never get boring. Because as soon as the cork flies, the first sip reveals a wine of fascinating complexity. Long live champagne!

On Champagne
SUSAN KEEVIL / CLUB DES VINS, LECLUBDESVINS.CO.UK
ISBN: 9503534362459 / € 39

PORT VINTAGES: THE CHRONICLE OF VINTAGE PORTS, FROM THE BEGINNING

Lovers know, the finest port is a vintage port. It comes from one specific year,
when the grapes ripened exceptionally beautifully. For most port brands, this occurs only once in
the 3 years before. But in which years have producers declared their port 'Vintage'? Funnily enough, it is
difficult to find out from them themselves, as everyone's experience is different. That is why passionate
port drinker J.D.A. Wiseman conducted his own research. This resulted in a detailed chronicle with a
own chapter for each producer. Here, each vintage is carefully discussed. The text contains facts
and stories the author was able to uncover with the help of friends. The book is a
invitation to enjoy the rich tradition and refined flavours of vintage port.
Port Vintages: The Chronicle of Vintage Ports, from the Beginning

J.D.A. WISEMAN / WISEMAN & FRIENDS, ON SALE AT ZWOLS PORTHUIS /
ISBN: 1916460100 / € 139

CHAMPAGNE & CHEESE

Champagne and cheese - it's not the most famous gastronomic combination, but it's a very
exciting. At least, according to wine professionals Peter Doomen and Tom Ieven. These authors seek
Based on four themes whether this is the case. Fruity champagnes, rosé champagnes, champagne
with higher dosage and champagnes of the Blanc de Blancs or Blanc de Noirs type
are tested with different types of cheeses. More specific styles of champagne are also covered,
champagnes with many reserve wines, millésimes, wood-aged champagnes and luxury cuvées. Each
theme consists of eight champagnes and eight cheeses. On discovering this combination
they tasted, slurped and spat. They then chose the best, but also the most controversial
combinations. Try them yourself and find your own cheese-champagne match made in heaven.

Champagne & cheese
TOM IEVEN AND PETER DOOMEN / PUBLISHER BORGERHOFF & LAMBERIGTS / ISBN: 9789464778502 / € 29.99

MADEIRA WINE TODAY

'Whatever you think you know about wine, take your time for this one, because madeira is unlike any other
wines.' Says Jeroen Bronkhorst, a Madeira wine educator. And it's true, madeira is a unique
wine from that Portuguese island of the same name. Fortunately, he wrote this English-language, beautifully
bound book with 200 pages to understand this wine. Although it is best to experience the history for yourself
on the beautiful island, you'll learn a lot from the extensive theory, combined with clear
maps and stunning photographs. Nothing boring summing up the facts, the comprehensive information on this
Island is brought so pleasantly that you want to go there right away. Read about how an ordinary wine something
became exceptional because of its terroir and, in particular, its vinification. WINELIFE, too, is a fan,
check page 74. Do pour a glass of madeira with it.

Madeira Wine Today
JEROEN BRONKHORST / MADEIRAWIJN.NL / ISBN: 9789083012438 / € 29.50

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