What Is Biodynamic Wine: The Quality, the Taste, the Terroir

What Is Biodynamic Wine: The Quality, the Taste, the Terroir Review

Nicolas Joly is responsible for producing some of the finest and most highly esteemed wines of France at his Coulee de Serrant vineyard. Practising the biodynamic method of agriculture - sometimes referred to as 'premium organic' - he is at the forefront of a movement to return to the concept of terroir, as full expression and embodiment of a particular grape-growing locality, or appelation. Today even expensive wines, made under strictly regulated controls and standards, are tainted by the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and manipulated in the cellar through the use of osmosis and the additions of aromatic yeasts and enzymes. To counter such trends, a new 'Charter of Quality', run by organic and biodynamic viticulturists, guarantees that the appelation comes to full, authentic expression. To aid this process, biodynamic winegrowers like Joly use special planting methods and preparations that enhance and invigorate the soil, bringing it into harmony with the forces of sun, moon and cosmos to embed the vine in a rich, living context.

Frommer's Chile and Easter Island (Frommer's Complete Guides)

Frommer's Chile and Easter Island (Frommer's Complete Guides) Review

• Frommer's Chile & Easter Island is the premier guide to the country, with complete coverage of Santiago, Valparaiso, the Carretera Austral, Patagonia, Easter Island, and more.
• Our authors, longtime residents in the region, hit all the highlights, from rugged wilderness preserves to the bustling, colonial capital. They've checked out all the country's best hotels, restaurants, and attractions and offer authoritative, candid reviews that will help you find the choices that suit your tastes and budget.
• You'll travel like a pro with our handy Spanish-language glossary and detailed regional and town maps. Our Suggested Itineraries chapter will help you plan your trip and organize your time, and our new flora and fauna chapter features illustrations of the gorgeous outdoor sights that await you. 

Oz Clarke's Encyclopedia of Grapes

Oz Clarke's Encyclopedia of Grapes Review

The first authoritative, illustrated reference book on the world's great wine grapes in nearly twenty years.

Almost all wine lovers understand that the grape variety or blend in a wine is the most influential factor in a wine's taste. In Oz Clarke's Encyclopedia of Grapes Clarke explains and illuminates these qualities with concise and vivid descriptions of the 350 major grape varieties of the world, in an easy-to-use, A-to-Z format.

Special features on the classic varieties are exquisitely illustrated with original paintings, and double-page spreads on other major grapes describe the varieties, their history, geography, character, and cultural context. The transformation of grapes into wine is fully detailed and illustrated with charts that provide essential information on which grapes are allowed in each wine. The book concludes with a glossary of technical terms, a comprehensive index of grape names and their synonyms, and a general index.

With its luscious artwork, evocative text, and practical information, Oz Clarke's Encyclopedia of Grapes makes a uniquely attractive and useful gift-a delight to browse and a mine of interesting information.

Hugh Johnson's Pocket Encyclopedia of Wine 2001 (Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book)

Hugh Johnson's Pocket Encyclopedia of Wine 2001 (Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book) Review

An indispensable tool of the wine enthusiast, "Hugh Johnson's Pocket Encyclo- pedia of Wine 2001" is thoroughly revised to provide the most up-to-date information. This 24th edition of the world's bestselling wine book gives expert help in choosing a wine for every occasion and every budget.

With current information on more than 6,000 wines, growers, and regions worldwide, the "Pocket Encyclopedia" is packed with advice to assist your selection of wine, whether in stores or restaurants, for cellaring, or for special events. Extensive coverage -- from re-emerging Eastern European regions to the newest additions in the United States -- will introduce even the experienced oenophile to little-known finds, while detailed entries clarify information for the novice.

Johnson names the top-valued wines from every country and highlights those to drink in 2001, with predictions for wines to watch for in the future. Also included are regional maps, label guides, and vintage charts, along with fascinating entries on the history, production, and appreciation of wine. "Hugh Johnson's Pocket Encyclopedia of Wine 2001" is the peerless standard of wine guides, a crucial addition to the library of every wine lover, enthusiast, and connoisseur.

Spice: Flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean

Spice: Flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean Review

On a trip to Turkey as a young woman, chef Ana Sortun fell in love with the food and learned the traditions of Turkish cooking from local women. Inspired beyond measure, Sortun opened her own restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the award-winning Oleana, where she creates her own interpretations of dishes incorporating the incredible array of delicious spices and herbs used in eastern regions of the Mediterranean.

In this gorgeously photographed book, Sortun shows readers how to use this philosophy of spice to create wonderful dishes in their own homes. She reveals how the artful use of spices and herbs rather than fat and cream is key to the full, rich flavors of Mediterranean cuisine -- and the way it leaves you feeling satisfied afterward. The book is organized by spice, detailing the ways certain spices complement one another and how they flavor other foods and creating in home cooks a kind of sense-memory that allows for a more intuitive use of spice in their own dishes. The more than one hundred tantalizing spice categories and recipes include:

• Beef Shish Kabobs with Sumac Onions and Parsley Butter
• Chickpea and Potato Terrine Stuffed with Pine Nuts, Spinach, Onion, and Tahini
• Crispy Lemon Chicken with Za’atar
• Golden Gazpacho with Condiments
• Fried Haloumi Cheese with Pear and Spiced Dates

Absolutely alive with spices and herbs, Ana Sortun’s recipes will intrigue and inspire readers everywhere.

Bottlenotes Guide to Wine: Around the World in 80 Sips

Bottlenotes Guide to Wine: Around the World in 80 Sips Review

Today wine is more popular than ever?and consumers need up-to-date, sensible, and sophisticated advice from those in the know. Based on one of the Web site?s most popular tasting events, this book will take readers on a journey through time and today?s vineyards. Combining essential information about wine, featuring a primer about the different categories and a one-of-a-kind regional guide, what more could a wine-lover want? Inspiring wine drinkers to expand their knowledge base and explore their taste preferences, Bottlenotes will take a look at the most interesting wine spots, including: Napa, California; Italy; Australia; Lebanon; Israel; China; South Africa; Chile; and others! It used to be that there were two choices when you ordered wine?European or Californian? But now the wine world is multicultural and international. In order to stay in the game, it?s important to learn from those in the know?and the folks at Bottlenotes are here to help!

Fodor's Paris 2011 (Full-color Travel Guide)

Fodor's Paris 2011 (Full-color Travel Guide) Review

Full-color guide • Make your trip to Paris unforgettable with 39 maps, illustrated features, and 170 color photos
 
Customize your trip with simple planning tools • Top experiences and
attractions • Convenient overview of each neighborhood and its highlights
• Easy-to-read color neighborhood maps
 
Explore St-Germain, the Marais, Montmartre, and beyond • Discerning Fodor’s Choice picks for hotels, restaurants, sights, and more • “Word of
Mouth” tips from fellow Fodor’s travelers • Illustrated features on Musée du Louvre, Paris chic, and Versailles • Best shops, cafés, and bars
 
Opinions from destination experts • Fodor’s Paris-based writers reveal their favorite haunts • Revised annually to provide the latest information