Review of Exploring Wine Regions – Bordeaux France
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Charice Rolle
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Review of Exploring Wine Regions – Bordeaux France
[Following is a volunteer review of "Exploring Wine Regions – Bordeaux France" by Michael C. Higgins, PhD.]
In Exploring Wine Regions - Bordeaux France author Michael C. Higgins offers a guided tour through wine regions of Bordeaux, France. He travels up and down mainly The Médoc and Graves regions. Sharing firsthand experiences and featuring historical heritage, photos of centuries-old châteaux and beautiful landscapes, he invites the reader to explore the complex world of wines and winemaking. In doing so, Higgins sheds light on why Bordeaux is renowned as both a wine tourism destination and a global benchmark for winemakers.
The book opens with the author affirming that Bordeaux wines are terroir-driven, in other words, defined by nature. Fittingly, it discusses a great deal about soil properties, climate cycles, elevation, and their relationship to whether grapes thrive, and wine quality. While referring to local grape varieties, the book also elaborates about winemaking traditions and modern technologies and the innovative approaches that derive from their combination.
`
Beyond the old and the new, Exploring Wine Regions - Bordeaux France also juxtaposes luxury and casual. It invites visitors to Bordeaux to remain in ostentatious properties and enjoy Michelin-rated dishes or stay in quaint accommodations and dine in laid-back settings. It describes a plethora of activities. These range from alternative experiences like hot air balloon rides and thalassotherapy to the more traditional wine tasting, pairing and blending experiences and guided wine and walking tours.
In addition, Exploring Wine Regions - Bordeaux France introduces French words and phrases and winemaking jargon. The Glossary at the end of the book explains most of these terms.
I would recommend the book to visitors to France and from France, who want to venture further afield than Paris and to experience other wonders of the world like the heritage of the Bordeaux vineyards. I would also recommend it to those curious and/or enthusiastic about wines. It does not matter whether one is a novice or an expert.
The book struck me by the tone of joy and wonder that Higgins channels in his writing. He brings to life the business of winemaking. Through his language, exemplified by the warm representations of the persons he met throughout his travels, interjections of delight and admiration, and his light and sometimes humorous tone, the author also imbues the book with the pleasure he derives from wines and winemaking.
I also enjoyed the book because of its structure and organisation. The author deliberately arranges its content in an uncomplicated way that allows the reader to turn directly to preferred regions or favourite wineries, for instance. Even though the detailed visitor information dilutes the book’s essence, this information provides key details concerning the destinations, experiences, lodgings, eateries, and other matters relevant to wine tourism in Bordeaux. In addition, the maps serve as references to regions, routes, bodies of water, landmarks, and locations. The tables facilitate processing of information regarding the Bordeaux wine classifications.
Finally, I found Exploring Wine Regions - Bordeaux France aesthetically pleasing. The book is comprised of intriguing, arresting, delightful, and enticing photos from cover to cover. This provides the reader with the option to use it as a decorative art piece. One can breathe new life into a room and set a mood simply by incorporating into a décor the textures and colour combinations of a page from this vibrant book.
I give the book 4 out of 4 stars . It is rich in information, provides it in a satisfying way and is visually appealing. Having read it, I have now added Bordeaux to my wish list. What is more, I am certain that the next time I visit a restaurant I will review the wine list with a new vigour. Exploring Wine Regions - Bordeaux France has left me with a taste for wine!
******
Exploring Wine Regions – Bordeaux France
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
In Exploring Wine Regions - Bordeaux France author Michael C. Higgins offers a guided tour through wine regions of Bordeaux, France. He travels up and down mainly The Médoc and Graves regions. Sharing firsthand experiences and featuring historical heritage, photos of centuries-old châteaux and beautiful landscapes, he invites the reader to explore the complex world of wines and winemaking. In doing so, Higgins sheds light on why Bordeaux is renowned as both a wine tourism destination and a global benchmark for winemakers.
The book opens with the author affirming that Bordeaux wines are terroir-driven, in other words, defined by nature. Fittingly, it discusses a great deal about soil properties, climate cycles, elevation, and their relationship to whether grapes thrive, and wine quality. While referring to local grape varieties, the book also elaborates about winemaking traditions and modern technologies and the innovative approaches that derive from their combination.
`
Beyond the old and the new, Exploring Wine Regions - Bordeaux France also juxtaposes luxury and casual. It invites visitors to Bordeaux to remain in ostentatious properties and enjoy Michelin-rated dishes or stay in quaint accommodations and dine in laid-back settings. It describes a plethora of activities. These range from alternative experiences like hot air balloon rides and thalassotherapy to the more traditional wine tasting, pairing and blending experiences and guided wine and walking tours.
In addition, Exploring Wine Regions - Bordeaux France introduces French words and phrases and winemaking jargon. The Glossary at the end of the book explains most of these terms.
I would recommend the book to visitors to France and from France, who want to venture further afield than Paris and to experience other wonders of the world like the heritage of the Bordeaux vineyards. I would also recommend it to those curious and/or enthusiastic about wines. It does not matter whether one is a novice or an expert.
The book struck me by the tone of joy and wonder that Higgins channels in his writing. He brings to life the business of winemaking. Through his language, exemplified by the warm representations of the persons he met throughout his travels, interjections of delight and admiration, and his light and sometimes humorous tone, the author also imbues the book with the pleasure he derives from wines and winemaking.
I also enjoyed the book because of its structure and organisation. The author deliberately arranges its content in an uncomplicated way that allows the reader to turn directly to preferred regions or favourite wineries, for instance. Even though the detailed visitor information dilutes the book’s essence, this information provides key details concerning the destinations, experiences, lodgings, eateries, and other matters relevant to wine tourism in Bordeaux. In addition, the maps serve as references to regions, routes, bodies of water, landmarks, and locations. The tables facilitate processing of information regarding the Bordeaux wine classifications.
Finally, I found Exploring Wine Regions - Bordeaux France aesthetically pleasing. The book is comprised of intriguing, arresting, delightful, and enticing photos from cover to cover. This provides the reader with the option to use it as a decorative art piece. One can breathe new life into a room and set a mood simply by incorporating into a décor the textures and colour combinations of a page from this vibrant book.
I give the book 4 out of 4 stars . It is rich in information, provides it in a satisfying way and is visually appealing. Having read it, I have now added Bordeaux to my wish list. What is more, I am certain that the next time I visit a restaurant I will review the wine list with a new vigour. Exploring Wine Regions - Bordeaux France has left me with a taste for wine!
******
Exploring Wine Regions – Bordeaux France
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: Cynthia and Dan by Dorothy May Mercer
