Book Review — Fine Wines, The Best Vintages of the 20th Century
Monday, 09 March 2009
Reported By Catherine Partridge, Sommelier (
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Book Title: Fine Wines, The Best Vintages of the 20th Century Author: Michel Dovaz, introduction by Micheal Broadbent Published in 2000 by Assouline
I first read the book in 2006, the year before commencing the Sommelier Program at Algonquin College in Ottawa, and it’s fair to say that I was clueless. After graduating from the Program in September 2008, during which time I also read André Domine’s Wine, I took Fine Wines by Dovaz off the shelf.
Fine Wines is mostly available in paperback, both new and used, with a few copies of the hard cover book listed. I bought mine at Chapters for $5.00, and the bound pages shortly after separated from the spine of the cover; needless to say, "never judge a book by its cover." Dovaz wrote many books on wines, taught at the Academie du Vin in Paris in the 1970s, served as a judge at the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976, and was an avid collector of pre- and post-war automobiles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_Dovaz).
The Second Part of the book, Vintages of the Century, begins with Chateau Margaux’s 1900 vintage, and includes the estate’s ownership, evolution, organoleptic description, secrets of quality, comparable vintages, and most fascinating, the remarkable weather conditions. Each vintage begins with a highlight of significant historical events, both political and famous personalities, a prelude to the year’s international flavour that sets the tone for the evolution of countries and their wines. Each famous vintage section is brief, with photos of the actual bottles, if available, and their development range.
I have read this book twice, and will read it again, like enjoying a favorite classic movie, or one of those bottles held dear in the cellar, Fine Wines, The Best Vintages of the 20th Century continues to reveal its aromas. At the least, the book identifies some glorious vintages, for the budding sommelier, a sense that you have some, however infinitesimal, knowledge of what defines a great vintage.
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The National Capital Sommelier Guild strongly supports moderate and responsible consumption of wine and spirits. Guild dinner events allow a designated driver to attend at a reduced price. The designated driver will not be served alcohol. Guild tasting events provide and encourage the use of spit buckets.
"Great wine is about nuance, surprise, subtlety, expression, qualities that keep you coming back for another taste. Rejecting a wine because it is not big enough is like rejecting a book because it is not long enough, or a piece of music because it is not loud enough." —Kermit Lynch in Adventures on the Wine Route
