Posted By Joel on April 3, 2009

Italian Wine Education - A Wine Atlas of the Langhe:  The Great Barolo and Barbaresco Vineyards

“A Wine Atlas of the Langhe” is the conclusion of 10 years research of the great Barolo / Barbaresco crus and wines .  The men and women whose effort has contributed to the international success of these celebrated wines are nicely profiled.  The book takes us upclose and personal to explore the Langhe soil, topography, climate, etc., that uniquely influence the wines, never forgetting the local cultural background that helped create these famous wines.

First of all, this book is beautiful.  Spectacular aerial photographs hover us over landscapes, let us soar above quaint hilltops and vineyards galore.  The photography really helps give the reader a spatial perspective of the area(s) being discussed.

What I really like about this book, however, are its  ”eyewitness reports” - word sketches by some of the area’s oldest householders that give the reader a sense of Langhe culture, history, and tradition, a background against which the Barolo and Barbaresco story can be understood.

Then, there are the chapters featuring the pioneers and legends of Barolo and Barbaresco which provide super detail about the lives of winemakers, growers, scholars, cellar staff, and others.

Subzones and the great crus of Barolo / Barbaresco are covered in very specific detail with beautifully articulate mappings of municipalities and vineyards.

If you’re traveling to Piedmont and are interested in wine or Piedmont culture, this book will help you plan some great day trips.  Also contains info on good places to eat and stay.

If you love a Barolo or Barbaresco geek, search no more for a special gift - this is the book for them.

Published by Slow Food Editore, Authored by Vittorio Manganelli and other writers, Edited by Carlo Petrini.  Hard cover.  352 pages. ISBN-10: 8884990416 ISBN-13: 978-8884990419

Categories: Books, Piedmont, Uncategorized
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