About the Book For anyone who wants to understand the full story that lies within a glass ofwine, this book opens up the inner secrets of the geology, the vineyards, thewines, and the growers of the northern Rhone Valley in France. Book Synopsis For anyone who wants to understand the full story that lies within a glass of wine, this book opens up the inner secrets of the geology, the vineyards, the wines, and the growers of the northern Rhne Valley in France. Home to the spicy Syrah, or Shiraz, and the floral Viognier grapes, the northern Rhne Valley is one of Frances oldest wine-growing regions; its appellations include Hermitage, Cte-Rtie, Condrieu, Crozes-Hermitage, St-Joseph, and Chteau-Grillet. With evocative descriptions and marvelous insights, this accessible, elegant book, the culmination of more than thirty years following the Rhne, is a comprehensive and authoritative survey of the various estates, winemakers, and their wines. Taking a deeper look at the northern Rhne than Livingstone-Learmonths highly regarded previous volumes on the Rhne Valley, this revised and up-to-date edition covers more producers and includes more in-depth information on the various terroirs, the histories of the wines, and the methods for making the wines. Livingstone-Learmonth concentrates on letting the producers explain their outlook and methods and includes much local color. The Wines of the Northern Rhne includes * Assessments of thousands of wines, with guide dates onwhen to drink and how long to age them * Winemakers views on what foods best accompany their wines * New vineyard maps for each appellation * Detailed descriptions by growers discussing the effect of different soils on their wines * Precise information on how each domaine makes its wines * New research on the historical links between Hermitage and Bordeaux From the Back Cover If you want to know who is who in each appellation, and who produces the best wines, just look in here. Livingstone-Learmonths understanding and feel for the region, its wines, and its winemakers shines out through every page.--Clive Coates, MW, author of The Wines of Bordeaux As one who visits the major producers in the region annually, I can testify to the superior scholarship underlying this work. It is utterly reliable and contains vast amounts of important information, much of which has not previously appeared in print.--Claude F. Kolm, Editor of Fine Wine Review This up-to-date, in-depth look at one of the most historic winegrowing regions in the world provides a human face to famous places and names and yields a wealth of information.--Joel Butler, MW, Educator and writer; WSET, Diageo Chateau & Estates Wine Co Review Quotes [A] magisterial and compelling tour de force of a passionate wine guide....a dip into the book at virtually any point is almost as satisfying as a visit.--Decanter About the Author John Livingstone-Learmonth is a noted wine writer whose work is regularly featured in Decanter, the leading British wine magazine. He is a long-term contributor to the Hugh Johnson annual Pocket Wine Book and author of The Wines of the Rhne (third edition, 1992). Kermit Lynch is a wine importer and retailer and the author of Adventures on the Wine Route: A Wine Buyers Tour of France and Inspiring Thirst.