Review: The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia

Posted by foodwineclick on November 5, 2020 · 2 Comments

Disclosure: I received a sample copy of this book with a request for a review. All opinions expressed are mine.

A Reference for Every Wine Lover
Sotheby’s has just published an updated version of The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia, last published in 2011. In true encyclopedia form, there is something for everyone in this massive book. The casual enthusiast will find very readable content on wine making basics, grapes, regions and even notable wineries in each region. There are lots of other wine guides being published today with infographic-style visual material. If you’re looking for a little less gloss and more information, this is a great resource.

I’m currently enrolled in the diploma level wine certification in the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). I need content that is sufficiently detailed, factually correct and up to date. You’d think the wine world doesn’t change, but my 2007 version of Sotheby’s is no longer sufficiently current, so I’m grateful for this update!

The new Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia
Below you’ll find a brief tour through some of the content in the book, I think you’ll agree there is something for every wine enthusiast at every level!

(Click on any photo for a full size slide show)

Take a look at all the topics covered

The world of wine

There are sections on viticulture and winemaking

Basics on major grapes for the budding enthusiast

Obscure varieties like Feteasca Alba for the wine student

Maps and regional overviews, of course

Including snapshots of key producers

Don’t worry, it’s not all about France

Sections on regions all around the world

For the serious wine student, there are up to date details

Including soils, climate, everything

A worthy reference to add to your wine book collection

The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia now moves to my key reference bookshelf, and my 2007 version moves to the desk as a computer support during Zoom meetings!

Here are links to purchase the book

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About Author Tom Stevenson
Tom Stevenson has been writing about wine for more than 40 years. He has won 34 literary awards, including Wine Writer of the Year three times and The Wine Literary Award, and America’s only lifetime achievement award for wine writers. In 1998, he was the first person to publish a 17th century document proving that the English invented sparkling Champagne six years before Dom Pérignon set foot in Hautvillers. This ensured his Christie’s World Encyclopedia of Champagne & Sparkling Wine also made history as the only wine book to warrant a leader in any UK national newspaper (The Guardian, 14 October 1998). In 2011 he was inducted into the New York Wine Media Guild’s Hall of Fame. He has written 28 books, the most important of which have been published internationally by more than 50 publishers and translated into over 25 languages. Additionally, he conceived and was the contributing editor of Wine Report. His Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia (now The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia) has sold over 700,000 copies worldwide. Stevenson has judged major wine competitions in France, Germany, Greece, Australia, and the United States, and has been the chair and founder of The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championship (CSWWC) since 2014. Visit Tom’s CSWWC website at www.champagnesparklingwwc.co.uk

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Comments

2 Responses to “Review: The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia”

trish says:

November 8, 2020 at 12:25 pm

It’s nice to get such a good, comprehensive update in a book like this!

Thank you for sharing this!

Reply