Review of Exploring Wine Regions – Bordeaux France

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Kanika Tandon
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Review of Exploring Wine Regions – Bordeaux France

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[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 is an intensively detailed and fantastically written travelogue by Michael C. Higgins. If you are a wine connoisseur wanting to get a knowledgeable perspective on wine-making, from ground to glass, then you have picked the right book.

Through this book, Mr. Higgins provides an exclusive and well-researched insight into the art of wine-making, drawn from personal experiences. His deep love for wine is evident in the way he has included each and every detail about wines and explained the art and precision that goes into making wines, which is the most aristocratic drink in my opinion. It is a well-structured book that starts with the evolution of wine and the historical facts while shedding light on the geographical and climatic conditions of the wine regions. The author takes us on a guided tour of wineries, vineyards, wine schools, Bordeaux city center, spectacular wine estates, and some of the finest wine regions in the world, namely Graves, Medoc, Saint-Emilion, Fronsac, and Pomerol. The book includes information about various excursions that one can partake in, such as river cruises, wine tasting, visiting museums and various historical monuments and landmarks, and many others. He has also included information on how to reach Bordeaux via Paris and the various modes of transport one can take to reach and explore the city. The book also contains interviews with chefs, winemakers, soil experts, wine stewards, and other wine experts, encapsulating their valuable insights into the wine-making business. To summarize, through his book, the author has presented varying options for both wine and non-wine lovers in this historical city to enjoy and experience.

I relished reading the most about the history of wine and getting a glimpse of what this city has to offer through text and images. The author has included high quality images on every page, along with 29 color-coded maps and tables strategically placed throughout the book. Their purpose is to enhance the reading experience and also act as a guide that will help you navigate your way through the city and make you appreciate this beautiful city more than ever. For die-hard foodies like me, Bordeaux has some mouth-watering French and non-French cuisines on its menu, which can be visually savored through the stunning pictures. The author has also provided information such as names, locations, websites, phone numbers, languages spoken, etc., of various hotels and restaurants in the city for the convenience of the visiting tourists and readers.

There are some interesting and informative tidbits in the book that make it even more fascinating. Did you know Downtown Bordeaux, also known as "mini Paris," is one of the largest UNESCO world heritage sites in the world with 362 listed historical buildings and monuments? Or how amazing is the fact that one family has been in the wine-making business for five centuries, or that Bordeaux is home to some of the finest educational institutions in France!

I found the concept of wine cruises particularly fascinating, where you can do wine tasting and enjoy gourmet food. One can also attend workshops such as barrel workshops, harvest workshops, and a few others. I would love to explore various wine regions and understand how some of the famous wines are produced and fermented. Visiting the ancient underground cellars with secret passageways and museums and enjoying French cuisine aboard a cruise while savoring a glass of my favorite Merlot would be at the top of my priority list of things to do. The most amazing aspect is that there are wine-related events held throughout the year, each offering a unique experience.

I found the book extremely educational, and reading this book makes me more appreciative of wines that I enjoy occasionally. The author's passion and love for wine shines through in this cleverly crafted travelogue. I did not find the book lacking in any way. Nor could I point out any grammatical mistakes in the book either. Therefore, I would love to raise a toast and grant this book 4 out of 4 stars.

I would recommend this book to wine lovers and tourists who aspire to visit and relish the historical city of Bordeaux at its finest. It is a perfect guide that will help you plan your visit accordingly and also keep it handy for reference while exploring this city that is known as the mecca for wine connoisseurs.

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Exploring Wine Regions – Bordeaux France
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