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American Rhone: How Maverick Winemakers Changed the Way Americans Drink
"Thoughtfully conceived and very well written, this is essential somm reading."— The Somm Journal
"This is the most important wine book of the year, perhaps in many years."— The Seattle Times "Crisply written, impeccably researched, balanced if fundamentally enthusiastic, scholarly but accessible, and full of unexpected details and characters."— The World of Fine Wine No wine category has seen more dramatic growth in recent years than American Rhône–variety wines. Winemakers are devoting more energy, more acreage, and more bottlings to Rhône varieties than ever before. The flagship Rhône red, Syrah, is routinely touted as one of California’s most promising varieties, capable of tremendous adaptability as a vine, wonderfully variable in style, and highly expressive of place. There has never been a better time for American Rhône wine producers.
American Rhône is the untold history of the American Rhône wine movement. The popularity of these wines has been hard fought; this is a story of fringe players, unknown varieties, and longshot efforts finding their way to the mainstream. It’s the story of winemakers gathering sufficient strength in numbers to forge a triumph of the obscure and the brash. But, more than this, it is the story of the maturation of the American palate and a new republic of wine lovers whose restless tastes and curiosity led them to Rhône wines just as those wines were reaching a critical mass in the marketplace. Patrick J. Comiskey’s history of the American Rhône wine movement is both a compelling underdog success story and an essential reference for the wine professional.
"This is the most important wine book of the year, perhaps in many years."— The Seattle Times "Crisply written, impeccably researched, balanced if fundamentally enthusiastic, scholarly but accessible, and full of unexpected details and characters."— The World of Fine Wine No wine category has seen more dramatic growth in recent years than American Rhône–variety wines. Winemakers are devoting more energy, more acreage, and more bottlings to Rhône varieties than ever before. The flagship Rhône red, Syrah, is routinely touted as one of California’s most promising varieties, capable of tremendous adaptability as a vine, wonderfully variable in style, and highly expressive of place. There has never been a better time for American Rhône wine producers.
American Rhône is the untold history of the American Rhône wine movement. The popularity of these wines has been hard fought; this is a story of fringe players, unknown varieties, and longshot efforts finding their way to the mainstream. It’s the story of winemakers gathering sufficient strength in numbers to forge a triumph of the obscure and the brash. But, more than this, it is the story of the maturation of the American palate and a new republic of wine lovers whose restless tastes and curiosity led them to Rhône wines just as those wines were reaching a critical mass in the marketplace. Patrick J. Comiskey’s history of the American Rhône wine movement is both a compelling underdog success story and an essential reference for the wine professional.
- GenresWine
352 pages, Hardcover
Published October 11, 2016
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39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 26, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is at once academic, historical, and an enthusiastic endorsement of the Rhône varietals. The book covers the life and times of Rhône varietals in the new world especially, centering on California, but also discussing Washington State and Australia, with some necessary anchoring in France, the ancestral home of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier, et al.
I would call this book a near history; one that explores that time that is just out of the rear view and only now beginning to take on its permanent place of understanding. This is what makes the read so good. I was alive during the majority of the period covered (1970s-2016) and have heard the names and drunk some of the wines, but Comiskey fills in the missing puzzle pieces and connects the players for a very rich and holistic review of the era.
Comiskey is a sharp writer and brings rigor to the work, but he isn’t dry or pedantic. If you’re a wine lover and enjoy the history of wine, then this is a book for you. It will greatly expand your understanding of what is now a fickle market, who hasn’t settled on what exactly their relationship is to a regional family of grapes and wines that when done right, is life changing.
I would call this book a near history; one that explores that time that is just out of the rear view and only now beginning to take on its permanent place of understanding. This is what makes the read so good. I was alive during the majority of the period covered (1970s-2016) and have heard the names and drunk some of the wines, but Comiskey fills in the missing puzzle pieces and connects the players for a very rich and holistic review of the era.
Comiskey is a sharp writer and brings rigor to the work, but he isn’t dry or pedantic. If you’re a wine lover and enjoy the history of wine, then this is a book for you. It will greatly expand your understanding of what is now a fickle market, who hasn’t settled on what exactly their relationship is to a regional family of grapes and wines that when done right, is life changing.
August 31, 2017
Entertaining, well-executed. Like one of the earlier reviewers said - for the truly dedicated. Best approached a couple chapters at a time.
April 10, 2023
Well written and interesing. A worthy read and a good reference.
July 3, 2017
Highly educational and fun, this is a must read for those that love California wine and history! Well laid out and with loads of info and great stories of Rhone pioneers.
February 3, 2017
California gold!
My favorite wines. Familiar with a number of the winerys. History as told through the fascinating unique wine makers. A book for the truly committed. A good read.
My favorite wines. Familiar with a number of the winerys. History as told through the fascinating unique wine makers. A book for the truly committed. A good read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews