Oxford Companion to Wine

Everything you could possibly want to know about wine, in one fully up-to-date A-Z volume! The Oxford Companion to Wine is a uniquely comprehensive and in-depth A-Z reference book on every aspect of wine: more than 4,000 entries covering topics from history through geography, geology, soil science, viticulture, winemaking, packaging, academia, technology, and regulations to people and places, tasting, writing, and the language of wine. The system of cross-references takes the reader from one entry to another, showing how all these topics are interconnected in the fascinating story of wine in its most traditional and modern forms. This new fifth edition, which benefits from the knowledge and experience of over one hundred new contributors, all experts in their field or geographical region, is expanded by 272 new entries, and every existing entry has been reviewed, updated, and polished. The text is more international than ever, written for wine lovers of every persuasion, including those who love wine but want to know more in order to increase their enjoyment of this endlessly fascinating liquid, and those who are intent on studying wine, professionally or privately. This is a huge treasure trove of knowledge, for the first time breaking the barrier of one million words, but the alphabetical format and the links between the entries make it easily navigable, and the language, while not shying away from complex science, is intended to open the door to every curious reader looking for answers on every question they have ever wanted to ask about wine.

Review: An indispensable asset for anyone with an interest in wine. Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or a casual enthusiast, this book promises to be a valuable addition to your collection. * , Wine Drinker *
Anyone seriously interested in wine needs to get a copy of the latest 5th edition...Every page is densely packed with information, there isn't a single wasted word. And it's no wonder, given it is edited by two of wine's powerhouses, Julia Harding MW and Jancis Robinson OBE MW...With Tara Q. Thomas as assistant editor the fifth edition, The Oxford Companion to Wine has an impressive all female trio at the helm. * , Sommerlier Edit *
This is simply a supremely practical and astonishingly comprehensive reference book. * Liz Sagues, Circle Update *
It's not always worth buying follow-on editions of classic books, but the fourth outing of the Oxford Companion to Wine contains lots of new material. If you're looking for a Christmas present for the wine lover in your life or just want to own a copy yourself, this is the most comprehensive wine tome on the market. * Woman & Home *
... even more astonishing than the depth and breadth of revision is the degree of change thats happened in the wide world of wine in the last 10 years to which this edition is testimonial. Its a handy barometer on how the wine world is doing. * Georges Meekers, Times of Malta *
The revisions for this new edition have been admirably and impeccably thorough... There also is plenty of humor, a quality often lacking in reference works. * Anne Krebiehl, World of Fine Wine *
Written with authority, and sometimes a humour so sly you have to do a double take, this [fourth edition] is still the best place to turn for answers to all your wine queries. * Henry Jeffreys, The Guardian Best Drink Books of 2015 *
If someone is to own just one wine book, Ms. Robinson's mighty effort is the fail-safe proposition. * Wall Street Journal *
become an armchair expert with the renowned Oxford Companion to Wine * BBC Good Food *
A solid update of a vital reference from a towering authority in the field. * Library Journal *
This giant tome is a must for wine aficionados, combining meticulously-researched fact with refreshing opinion and wit * Hannah Stephenson, Christmas Books, Belfast Telegraph *
This is the ultimate desert island wine book ... gloriously rich on fact ... surely the worlds best general wine reference book * Liz Sagues, Christmas Books 2015, Ham&High *
magnificently comprehensive book ... If you're a wine novice, this one volume could teach you more about wine than any other; and if you're a full-time wine professional, you will still find much in here that you didn't know ... no editors could have brought us a volume closer to perfection than Jancis Robinson and Julia Harding have done * Andrew Jefford, Decanter *
Thousands of wine students across the globe will rejoice in this unparalleled work of reference and see it as an essential starting point for further study. As a source of well-honed, succinct definitions, the Companion is invaluable ... The revisions for this new edition have been admirably and impeccably thorough ... Even if your bookshelf already groans under the weight of the previous edition, purchasing this revision will be money well spent. In the case of wine, as in so many other spheres, knowledge increases enjoyment exponentially. Quite apart from being such a splendid reference work, the book feeds curiosity * The World of Fine Wine *
MUST-BUY BOOK ... this is the most comprehensive wine tome on the market * Woman & Home *
go-to guide * Julie Sheppard, Square Meal Lifestyle *
If you don't own her [Jancis Robinson] magnificent work, then it may be the most essential wine book any enthusiast should possess -- a fastidiously researched and well-crafted book on just about everything on wine from a-z. * Robert Parker's bulletin board, Robert Parker *
I can't live without this book, and have purchased every version since it first came out. It's my go-to reference for research into current and historical grapes and wines. * Becky Sue Epstein, palatepress.com *
Over 4,000 entries on every wine-related topic imaginable... It's an essential piece for every wine-lover's shelves. * www.foodnetwork.com *
The most eagerly-awaited and widely-talked about wine book of the past year ... FT columnist Robinson remains one of the world's most respected impartial commentators on wine * Off Licence News *
The world's most useful wine book * Huonhooke.com, Huon Hooke *
The 4th edition is more than ever the indispensable reference about the most complex alcoholic beverage on the planet. The team assembled by Robinson and Harding represent some of the finest minds in their respective fields. * Australian Financial Review *
By some distance the greatest wine reference book ever created * Wine Times, Ali Nicol *
New research, new trends, new players, new rules, new priorities. No wonder we needed a new edition. The authors and editors have done a distinct service to the wine world with this edition. * Mike Veseth, thewineeconomist.com *
'Must Buy Book'. The fourth outing of The Oxford Companion to Wine contains lots of new material... If you're looking for a present for the wine lover in your life, this is the most comprehensive wine tome on the market.
A must-have in any serious wine library. Even wine writers refer, and defer, to it. * The Wine Review, Ch'ng Poh Tiong *
sheer abundance and global spread of information... some sort of awesomesauce * Observer, David Williams *
a handy barometer on how the wine world is doing * Wine-Searcher, Claire Adamson *
The glorious fourth edition is not just a must-own for any wine professional, it is also a must-buy for any drink-loving wine-hound. * Victoria Moore, Daily Telegraph *
A masterpiece of vinous scholarship. * David Williams, The Observer *
This is Essential reading. Robinson and Harding, along with their team of contributors, have managed to keep the Oxford Companion fresh. * Washington Post *
there is plenty to discover * Leon Burakowski, Telford Journal *
As well as a huge weight of information, this wonderful book also manages to entertain and delight. * Stephen Brook, Decanter *
Indispensable. * The Wine Merchant, Issue 40 *
This book is as perfect and up to date as you can possibly require ... This book is pleasing to read, endlessly fascinating, both un-put-downable and awesome for quick reference. I have totally fallen in love with it * Extremehousewife *