Review of Exploring Wine Regions – Bordeaux France

[saumyar2]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Exploring Wine Regions – Bordeaux France" by Michael C. Higgins, PhD.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Exploring Wine Regions-Bordeaux France by Michael C. Higgins is a photo book that is a portal transporting its readers straight to the towering 18th-century châteaus of Bordeaux. Higgins’ expertise in photography is amply displayed by the stunning images that have been artfully arranged in the book to complement the text. The book, as the forward mentions, is equally resourceful for both new wine enthusiasts like myself, as well as seasoned wine connoisseurs.

The book begins right at the origin of the famous wines of Bordeaux, its topography. The author has masterfully, in simple terms, explained how various conditions including the rocky grounds, the warm climes and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, come together to influence the world-famous wines produced there. He emphasises, how the ‘terroir’ is key to every wine. The author has presented hard, practical knowledge points in an easy-to-read manner.

Exploring Wine Regions-Bordeaux France is alluring in several fields. The author’s way of mixing beautiful photography with narration is delightful to look at. Higgins takes us on an enlightening tour of the topmost wine-producing districts, namely, Saint-Émilion, neighbouring regions of Pomerol and Fronsac, both famous for their special wines. The author hasn’t forgotten to mention the smaller, less important regions of Médoc and Graves.

What I liked most about this book was its resourcefulness. It contains everything that novice travellers might need to know, from food recommendations to different types of reservations. This photo-cum-guide book has it all! It offers a unique glimpse into the vibrant, French way of living. I further learnt a few technical terms related to winemaking and tasting. Higgins’ extensive and exhaustive description of the various facets of winemaking stands as a testament to his expertise on the subject matter.

This book will be of interest to, of course, old and new wine enthusiasts. Moreover, I think readers who also double up as enthusiastic travellers might want to give this book a look. This book is highly resourceful for travellers because the author has aptly mentioned the locations one should visit while in Bordeaux. The extended history of winemaking in the book is a welcome addition as well. People interested in French history, or French culture, in general, might also find the book to be fascinating.

In conclusion, Exploring Wine Regions-Bordeaux France, like a good bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux, deserves a perfect score of 4 out of 4 stars. I gave it a full rating because apart from being adeptly written, it has been professionally edited and formatted as well. I couldn’t find any grammatical mistakes or editing faults. This book, I felt, has managed to convince a teetotaller like me, that wines are not so bad after all!

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Exploring Wine Regions – Bordeaux France
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[Manas Ranjan Mishra]

Thanks for the review. I have never tried a photo book like this. I like travelling and your review have raised my hopes. I would look forward to read this book.
Thanks again.

[saumyar2]

Thanks for the review Manas. Do give this book a read!