Geography of Wine or Game Cookbook

Geography of Wine: How Landscapes, Cultures, Terroir, and the Weather Make a Good Drop

Author: Brian J Sommers

Wine is more than taste, smell, and appearance-it is a reflection of a place and its people. Why is Bordeaux a great place for red wines? Why do some places produce Rieslings and others produce Chardonnay? In a fun and fascinating examination of terroir (the French word for the geography of a vineyard), Professor Brain Sommers takes connoisseurs-and potential connoisseurs-on a tour of wine regions and explains the principles geographers use to understand the critical factors that make up the "wine character" of a place. From the Loire Valley to Napa Valley, Madeira to South Africa, Australia to Chile, The Geography of Wine is an entertaining and informative introduction to viticulture for worldly wine lovers everywhere.

Publishers Weekly

Sommers, a professor of geography, explains the role that landscape, history, economics and culture play in wine regions from Burgundy to Australia to California. While the varied microclimates of the Rhineland, for example, and unique soil of Bordeaux make for exquisite Riesling from the former and the characteristic cabernet sauvignon of the latter, environmental conditions like these are but one part of viticulture's complex geography. Historical factors such as colonialism, trade and urbanization also determine what wines are cultivated and where. As well, the economic geography of contemporary vineyards is ever-evolving: retail venues and the marketability of a product vary enormously, the Internet has broadened the market for wine and conglomerates are an increasing presence. In his wide-ranging analysis of the obvious and imperceptible elements that characterize a wine region and its rewards, Sommers tips his glass to the steadfast amour between viticulture and geography. (Mar.)

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information

See also: Portable Edmund Burke or Palestine and the Arab Israeli Conflict

Game Cookbook

Author: Clarissa Dickson Wright

This is a landmark cookbook, combining both classic and contemporary recipes together with detailed information on the history, choosing and preparation of game, such as how to hang, pluck and roast. Game is experiencing a real revival. It is a healthy alternative to red meat, being naturally lean, low in cholesterol and high in protein. It is also usually organic or free range. Better still it is inexpensive and can be bought from most supermarkets as well as from the local butcher.Written by two passionate countryside campaigners, Clarissa Dickson-Wright and Johnny Scott known for the BBCs Clarissa and the Countryman series as well as, of course, Clarissas part in the BBCs Two Fat Ladies, this authoritative book will draw any food enthusiast into the kitchen. Anecdotes and information from Johnny Scott about the history and habitat of game make fascinating reading and demystify the world of preparing and cooking game. With over 140 easy-to-follow recipes from Red Wine Venison Burgers to Salmon Fishcakes made with Gnocchi you will be inspired by Clarissa Dickson Wrights flair and imagination time and time again.