Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book 2021

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The world’s best selling wine guide, the new edition (the 44th!) of the annual Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book hìis now available for sale, and at roughly 10 euros a copy allow me to say it is one great wine buy! Yes, of course I would think so, given that I write, with my long time friend and collaborator Michele Longo, the Italy section to the guide, but I’m certainly not the only one who thinks this little book is just swell. It has been described by various sources as “…has no rival as the comprehensive, up-to-the minute wine guide” , “…perfect on the go…”, “…fantastic graphics…” and “…exceptionally useful…” and a whole lot more.

First published in 1977 and boasting over 12 Million copies sold, it is the ideal reading tool by which to look up a fact quickly or just to plain start understanding about wine regions one doesn’t know that much about. Frankly, I use it routinely, still today, and I highly recommend it as it really does help wine lovers learn about the world’s wines.

This is the only book that Michele and I are involved with that does not carry my name or his on the cover, so you know we think highly of it. We are proud to be a part of Hugh Johnson’s and his General Editor Margaret Rand’s writing team and look forward to updating and improving the Italy section for many years to come, or for as long as they will have us.
In the meantime, cheers everyone!

Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book 2020

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Publisher: Mitchell Beazley (Octopus Publishing Group)

General Editor: Margaret Rand

Description:

Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book is the essential reference book for everyone who buys wine – in shops, restaurants, or on the internet. Now in its 43 year of publication, and more than 12 Million copies sold, it has no rival as the comprehensive, up-to-the-minute annual wine guide. Hugh Johnson and his editors/authors provide clear succinct facts and commentary on the wines, growers and wine regions of the whole world. He reveals which vintages to buy, which to drink and which to cellar, which growers to look for and why. Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book gives clear information on grape varieties, local specialities and how to match food with wines that will bring out the best in both. This new edition also contains a colour supplement on biodynamic, biologic and natural wines.

By Ian about his Introduction to Italy:

“I have looked upon the Italy section in Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book as a magnificent opprotunity to paint a complete and accurate picture of Italy’s fascinating if very complex world of wine. And so I have given, with excellent help and valid insight from Michele Longo, my longtime associate and co-editor of this section, plenty of attention to the many unique territories, denominations, wines and grape varieties that make Italy such a fantastic wine place. And being independent allows me to give those Italian wine realities that are outstanding but often forgotten elsewhere the attention they deserve. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much I do writing it“.

Italy’s Native Wine Grape Terroirs

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Native Wine Grapes of Italy

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Italy’s Native Wine Grape Terroirs

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(published by University of California Press)

About the Book

Italy’s Native Wine Grape Terroirs is the definitive reference book on the myriad crus and the grand cru wine production areas of Italy’s native wine grapes. Ian D’Agata’s approach to discussing wine, both scientific and discursive, provides an easy-to-read, enjoyable guide to Italy’s best terroirs. Descriptions are enriched with geologic data, biotype and clonal information, producer anecdotes and interviews, and facts and figures compiled over fifteen years of research devoted to wine terroirs. In-depth analysis is provided for the terroirs that produce both the well-known wines (Barolo, Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino) and those not as well-known (Grignolino d’Asti, Friuli Colli Orientali Picolit, Ischia). Everyday wine lovers, beginners, and professionals alike will find this new book to be the perfect complement to D’Agata’s previous award-winning Native Wine Grapes of Italy.

(As the subject of Italy’s wine terroirs and its many native grapes is immense, Ian will follow up with another book on Italy’s wine terroirs in 2020, essentially a part 2 to this first opus, one that will discuss more grapes and terroirs).

Reviews

“Part walking Wikipedia, part philosopher, Ian D’Agata supplies a wealth of information on Italian wine—both fact and lore—and his latest book is a must-have and a compelling read for all lovers of Italy, Italian culture, and Italian wine. Ian’s unique voice and unparalleled access to Italy’s most famous, most infamous, and those not-yet-discovered winemakers and vignerons tells a fascinating story of Italy’s history through the lens of agriculture and winemaking.”––Laura DePasquale, Master Sommelier

“D’Agata’s prose is as noteworthy as its scholarly content. Anyone interested in delving deeply into Italian wine needs a copy of this book”—Michael Apstein, James Beard Award–winning wine writer and Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

“I get asked all the time, which wine writers do I most admire? Ian D’Agata is always at the top of my list. He is that rarest of creatures, a once-in-a-generation great wine writer, and a benchmark for writing beautifully, engagingly, and with compelling insight. Really, nobody today does it better.”––Matt Kramer, author of True Taste: The Seven Essential Wine Words

 

(Adapted from the UC Press website)