Cote d'Or

The Cote d'Or may be small in size but its influence is huge and its reputation alone can intimidate even the most seasoned wine professional. Divided into two halves, the Cote de Nuits and the Cote de Beaune, it is little more than a 30-mile stretch of vineyard but some of the world's best-known - and most expensive - wines are produced here. Of all the world's wine regions it is here that terroir pushes itself to the fore, explaining the eye-watering prices paid for even the most modest parcels of vineyard.

Raymond Blake's companionable Cote d'Or demystifies this notoriously complicated region, explaining succinctly the history of winemaking in this part of Burgundy, the complexity of the subdivided vineyards and the special role played by geology and climate in the creation of these wines. Visiting a selection of notable producers, Blake provides his take on each, along with a suggestion of that winemaker's most distinctive or interesting wine for readers to try. After a rundown of the characteristics of each vintage from the last 30 years, and notes on some outstanding earlier vintages, Blake considers what the future might hold for the cote, including the challenges posed by premature oxidation, extreme weather and world events. He ends the book by providing some ideas to help those planning a trip to the region get the most out of their visit.

This fresh take on one of the world's most influential wine regions is an essential addition to the library of any burgundy enthusiast.

Review: Blake, somehow, without losing the gravitas of fact and classroom, has injected colour and emotion. He has a wonderful way of describing things, from the 'stony sinew' of quarries connecting Cote de Nuits to Cotes de Beaune, to the 'choir balcony' of Chassagne-Montrachet's grand cru vineyards, standing just a little apart from the commune ... The burgundies he loves ''like poetry, can be returned to again and again when another shade or nuance of flavour is discovered'. - Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com
Raymond Blake's wonderfully descriptive volume on the Cote d'Or is one of my favourite reads of the year. Almost all you need to know about one of the world's great wine regions is between the covers. - Mathew Nugent, The Irish Sun
Without doubt THE best introduction to Burgundy's most famous vineyards. Highly enjoyable. - Matthew Nugent, The Irish Sun
This is an indispensible book, the perfect fireside read, whether you need help choosing a few bottles, or planning a trip to Burgundy. Needless to say, it would make the perfect Christmas gift for the wine lover in your life. - John Wilson, The Irish times
The book delights for the charm, elegance, and conviction of Blake's prose-concise, informative, and leavened by abundant Wildean wit ... Supremely, this is a work of distinguished literary merit. It is also very readable, a real page-turner. Bravo! - Michael Edwards, The World of Fine Wine, issue 59