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Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2009

by: Hugh Johnson

September 01, 2008
An excellent guide for buying 'reasonable' to 'ultra-premium' wine. Thousands of wines are covered in short informative paragraphs along with ratings and vintage guides.

It's less detailed than "Wine Behind the Label" but at pocket size is totally portable. This is a thoroughly practical book and is genuinely helpful in making wine buying decisions, (mine has been everywhere from the supermarket to the caves of Burgundy). Hugh Johnson manages to combine a careers-worth of expert knowledge with a down-to-earth, sensible and non-stuffy approach.

If you already have the 2008 guide and were going to skip this one (like I was), there are multiple changes and updates to the individual entries, as well as rewritten country ... Read More:

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The World Atlas of Wine

by: Hugh Johnson, Jancis Robinson

October 18, 2007
The ever increasing size of this book reflects the increasing interest in wine, so it now lands with an impressive thump on your desktop. Though its content doesn't always reflect who that new market is.

The authors start with a, rather meandering, description of the history and production of wine and some basic notes on tasting, appreciation and handling of wine. Some of this is very useful, most of it is very basic for someone who already knows the subject and all of it could do with some editing to make the best of their material. Some of it punctures some of the myths about wine such as how long wines should be laid down and do you really need to let wine breath. Elsewhere they perpetuate some of those myths, for example they ... Read More:

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Raymond Blanc: Le Manoir

by: Raymond Blanc

October 11, 1990
This book is to enjoy and to try out the recipes, however they are not for someone who cannot spend time and much patience to prepare, and to cook with care. Raymond Blanc is the Rolls Royce of chefs and this book proves it, by the shear amount of information it contains the advise and chefs notes are invaluable. The terrain dishes are truly amazing. I have managed to cook the venision terrain and it is truly the best I have ever made. My dinner guests were speachless as they have all commented on my level of cookery skills improvement. It is all down to this one man passion of cooking Raymond Blanc and one of the best cook books available.

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Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2008 (Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book)

by: Hugh Johnson

September 01, 2007
Johnson clearly knows his stuff and he covers the world of wine pretty well given that this is a pocket-sized edition.

The book was too compact for me though and I think it suffers from too many abbreviations and too many bullet-point entries. I accept that your expectations shouldn't be too high if you are buying a compendium, as compromises do need to be made. For me, however, it was slightly difficult to find my way around and get the best out of what the book has to offer.

It must also be said that the editing and proof-reading were well below expectations and, indeed, very disappointing.

That said, you will still come away a lot wiser with this book so one important purpose is served.

In short, ... Read More:

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D-Day Fortifications in Normandy (Fortress)

by: Steven J. Zaloga

November 14, 2005
Johnson clearly knows his stuff and he covers the world of wine pretty well given that this is a pocket-sized edition.

The book was too compact for me though and I think it suffers from too many abbreviations and too many bullet-point entries. I accept that your expectations shouldn't be too high if you are buying a compendium, as compromises do need to be made. For me, however, it was slightly difficult to find my way around and get the best out of what the book has to offer.

It must also be said that the editing and proof-reading were well below expectations and, indeed, very disappointing.

That said, you will still come away a lot wiser with this book so one important purpose is served.

In short, ... Read More:

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Wine: A Life Uncorked

by: Hugh Johnson

September 06, 2006
If you are expecting an autobiography of Hugh Johnson, you'll be disappointed - this is his jottings/ramblings on wine and anything biographical is almost coincidental. It is not his life story. It is, of course, beautifully written and from this aspect streets ahead of his competitors. This is not a book full of gobs of blockbuster fruit flavours, but of understated, evocative prose. But at times it does teeter on the brink of becoming pompous - all those black tie dinners with the wine aristocracy drinking impossibly ancient bottles, and endless comments on the very old bottles he has in his almost medieval cellar at his mansionly home. On the subject of Robert Parker he is also pretty outspoken, and perhaps needlessly so, and it begins to smack a little ... Read More:

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The Atlantic Wall (1): France (Fortress)

by: Steven J. Zaloga

June 10, 2007
If you are expecting an autobiography of Hugh Johnson, you'll be disappointed - this is his jottings/ramblings on wine and anything biographical is almost coincidental. It is not his life story. It is, of course, beautifully written and from this aspect streets ahead of his competitors. This is not a book full of gobs of blockbuster fruit flavours, but of understated, evocative prose. But at times it does teeter on the brink of becoming pompous - all those black tie dinners with the wine aristocracy drinking impossibly ancient bottles, and endless comments on the very old bottles he has in his almost medieval cellar at his mansionly home. On the subject of Robert Parker he is also pretty outspoken, and perhaps needlessly so, and it begins to smack a little ... Read More:

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Fortress 72: German V-Weapon Sites 1943-45 (Fortress) (Fortress)

by: Steven J Zaloga

January 10, 2008
If you are expecting an autobiography of Hugh Johnson, you'll be disappointed - this is his jottings/ramblings on wine and anything biographical is almost coincidental. It is not his life story. It is, of course, beautifully written and from this aspect streets ahead of his competitors. This is not a book full of gobs of blockbuster fruit flavours, but of understated, evocative prose. But at times it does teeter on the brink of becoming pompous - all those black tie dinners with the wine aristocracy drinking impossibly ancient bottles, and endless comments on the very old bottles he has in his almost medieval cellar at his mansionly home. On the subject of Robert Parker he is also pretty outspoken, and perhaps needlessly so, and it begins to smack a little ... Read More:

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The World Atlas of Wine

by: Hugh Johnson, Jancis Robinson

September 13, 2001
This is a great reference book for any wine lover no matter their level of expertise.
The depth of detail is perfectly balanced by the book's easily accessible style of writing which means that, as your knowledge of wine develops, the book still manages to inform.
This work deals not only with wine but also the effect of the "terroir" from which it comes thus giving a really comprehensive understanding of the art of wine.
The book is a perfect gift for anyone who enjoys a glass & wants to expand their knowledge; it's also an essential reference point for anyone wishing to have a career in wine.

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Hugh Johnson's Wine Companion: The Encyclopaedia of Wines, Vineyards and Winemakers (Hugh Johnson's Wine Companion: The Encyclopedia of Wines, Vineyards, & Winemakers)

by: Hugh Johnson

September 18, 1997
Having read hugh johnsons other books like the pocket wine guide I decided to purchase this book. It is fascinating I would advise anyone looking to buy the book should have a basic understanding of wine making in order to understand it. But even for a beginner this book is good as it breaks down everything you need to know about wines, where their from, how their made & miost importantly how to drink them!