The Best Wine Book Christmas Present
The Wine in My Glass by Adrian Latimer
I don’t like self-promotion or immodesty, but after a very kind comment by Jasper Morris (MW) on Instagram, the book actually sold out but is now reprinted and back in stock.
This is a wine book that is unique for three reasons: first, all profits will go to charity, to Vendanges Solidaires, who help young wineries in France that have been financially ruined by the extremes of the weather (frost/hail/drought/fire/flood etc); second, it is written by someone totally outside the trade, so completely objective and independent; third, there are no tasting notes or scores.
I’ve lived in France for 35 years and my wife used to work for Steven Spurrier. Together we have had the good fortune to visit many wine regions of the world and domaines that are now closed to the public, and taste wines that sadly nowadays are well beyond most. But even more importantly, we have listened to many winemakers and learned much along the way.
It’s not a book about big labels and wines that nobody can afford. It’s full of the stories, the people and the places behind the wines. It’s also very wittily illustrated by Arabella from Willis Wine Bar in Paris. It covers three decades of travels around wine regions in France, Italy, Madeira, California and Argentina. There are encounters with prehistoric dinosaurs, truffle hounds, Napoleon and his nemesis Nelson, Homeric ogres, Churchill, prescient medieval dukes, vines at over 10,000 feet high (3,000 metres), volcanoes, seventeenth century London diarists, Michelangelo and da Vinci, painters in Barolo, a wizard in Montalcino and a couple of queens (& a king) of England.
On the more serious side there is an expose of the problem of premature oxidation in (white) Burgundy that has been critically acclaimed and many insights into how the world of wine has changed over recent years, due to the climate, social media, fashion and critic’s tastes. But there is also fun, emotion and all the beauty that vineyards, their histories, people and wines can bring.
There is no reason why you should believe me as of course I am biased, so let me please quote below some of the reviews from the real (unbiased) experts.
The book is currently available from: -
The Medlar Press (UK):
Willis Wine Bar (Paris)
Athenaeum (Beaune)
64 Wine (Glasthule, Co. Dublin).
And from January it will also be part of The Academie du Vin Library (and as such available in the USA): https://academieduvinlibrary.com/
If you want an interesting, fun and well written book on wine for Christmas that is 100% original and charitable, please look no further. Here are some comments from the critics:
Critical Reviews
Jasper Morris MW (Author of ‘Inside Burgundy’):-
‘I don’t often come across wine writing that catches my imagination but Adrian Latimer’s book – recently recipient of a rave review in World of Fine Wine Magazine – has impressed me. Naturally I dipped into the Burgundy chapters first, he hits the tone perfectly. Plent of other great stuff from further afield as well. Even better, proceeds support the Vendanges Solidaires charity. An early Christmas present to yourself or a deserving wine lover?
Raymond Blake in ‘The World of Fine Wine’ (Author of ‘Breakfast in Burgundy’):-
‘Refreshing candor bereft of rancor is the hallmark of The Wine in My Glass, written by an enthusiast with no connection to the wine trade other than as a committed customer over many decades…. Hardly a page passes without a crisp insight that reveals the sort of deep understanding that is only achieved after years of alert engagement… Burgundy warrants several chapters, but the one that should be compulsory reading—“A Pox Upon You”—tells an unflattering tale about the blight of premature oxidation and its baleful and ongoing consequences… Keen observations such as this leaven every chapter of The Wine in My Glass. We need more wine writing of this ilk: engaging and enthusiastic first, informed and knowledgeable second—the sort of book that should be read with a glass of wine to hand rather than a highlighter pen.’
Hermione Ireland, Managing Director Academie du Vin Library:-
‘Loving this wine memoir from Adrian Latimer. A must for those who love great stories and writing, albeit primarily about wine. And it’s all in a good cause. All profits go to the Vendanges Solidaires association which helps winemakers who are suffering due to extreme weather conditions…’
Margaret Rand (World of Fine Wine, Decanter, Editor Hugh Johnson Pocket Wine Book):-
‘I’ve enjoyed this book very much, and if you enjoy non-ego-driven, intelligent wine writing, you might enjoy it too.’
Gerard Maguire, Owner of 64 Wine:-
‘I packed the book with my stuff and am now enroute to Porto. I’m a very slow reader but as I turned out the lights in my hotel I had read the entire book. A first for me in a day.It’s a wonderful read. I have travelled in many of your footsteps.’
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