A Companion to California Wine: An Encyclopedia of Wine and Winemaking from the Mission Period to the Present (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780520213517)

California is the nation's great vineyard, supplying grapes for most of the wine produced in the United States. The state is home to more than 700 wineries, and California's premier wines are recognized throughout the world. But until now there has been no comprehensive guide to California wine and winemaking. Charles L. Sullivan's A Companion to California Wine admirably fills that gap--here is the reference work for consumers, wine writers, producers, and scholars.

Sullivan's encyclopedic handbook traces the Golden State's wine industry from its mission period and Gold Rush origins down to last year's planting and vintage statistics. All aspects of wine are included, and wine production from vine propagation to bottling is described in straightforward language. There are entries for some 750 wineries, both historical and contemporary; for more than 100 wine grape varieties, from Aleatico to Zinfandel; and for wine types from claret to vermouth--all given in a historical context.

In the book's foreword the doyen of wine writers, Hugh Johnson, tells of his own forty-year appreciation of California wine and its history. "Charles Sullivan's Companion," he adds, "will provide the grist for debate, speculation, and reminiscence from now on. With admirable dispassion he sets before us just what has happened in the plot so far."

Author: Charles L. Sullivan
ISBN-10: 0520213513
ISBN-13: 9780520213517
Publisher: University of California Press
Language: English
Published: 10/01/1998
Pages: 456
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 2.48lbs
Size: 10.38h x 7.46w x 1.47d
Award: IACP Crystal Whisk Award - Winner

Review Citation(s):
Booklist 10/01/1998 pg. 356
American Reference Bks Annual 01/01/2000 pg. 617