An Encyclopaedia Of The Wines And Domaines Of France

By Clive Coates MW

University of California PRESS
Hardcover, 608 pages
ISBN: 9780520220935
December 2000
US $68.95

This is the most comprehensive guide to the wines, appellations and domaines of France ever published.

In the past few years Clive Coates has visited, and tasted widely, in every single appellation in France, from Irouléguy to Champagne, from Muscadet to Bellet.

Every single appellation controlée and VDQS is individually described. 

There are hundreds, if not several thousand, of individual descriptions of the leading estates, the greatest of which are starred (one, two or three, in the Michelin red guide sense).

All noteworthy domaines are listed. Local vintages are assessed. What do the wines taste like? When should you drink them? Who are the best producers? All is revealed.

Clive Coates' expert knowledge, his understanding, his unerring judgement separating the fine from the humdrum, plus his lucid, relaxed prose - all is here. Not just the wine book of the year, but perhaps the most important book on wine since Hugh Johnson's Wine Atlas.