An introduction to the world of wine by the acclaimed wine writer covers the basics of grapes, regions, and vintages, and ends his tour on the wine rack with valuable advice on how to choose the best bottle.

First published in hardcover as Oz Clarke’s Encyclopedia of Grapes, Oz Clarke’s Grapes and Wines is newly revised and updated to provide the most current information on an even wider array of grapes. Oz covers chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, and fifteen other "classic" grapes in depth, and includes features on tradition and innovation, methods used in the vineyard and the winery, and different wine styles around the world. He also provides vivid descriptions of more than three hundred grape varieties organized in his renowned A-to-Z format, as well as a glossary of technical terms and a wine decoder that lists which grapes go into which wines.This authoritative volume by one of the world’s great wine writers is all you need to distinguish among grape varieties— the wines they create and the flavors they contribute—and to make an informed choice on selecting the most satisfying wines.

Britain's best-loved wine writer brings you more information, more recommendations, more facts, passion and opinion than any other comparable guide to wine. Organised in an easy-to-use A–Z format, the entries cover wines, producers, grapes, countries and wine regions from all over the world. For optimum browsing, the guide includes a handy country by country index as well as a full producer index to help you find over 4000 of the world’s top wine producers and their wines. Detailed vintage charts, with information on which of the world's top wines are ready for drinking now, can be found on the inside front and back covers.

It used to be the easiest way in the wine world to get a laugh – start extolling the virtues of English wine. Oh, how they would chortle! And they had a point. Until the 1990s hardly any English wine was more than a curiosity to be drunk if you had no other choice. The old-fashioned view of English wine is that of a cottage industry made up of amateurs struggling with the mud and the drizzle. The modern view is of a country amazingly blessed with vast tracts of soil suitable for viticulture, much of it almost indistinguishable from the chalky slopes of Champagne and Chablis, and of a country taking full advantage of the vagaries of climate change to ripen Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to levels perfect for sparkling wine, and increasingly excellent still wines. And it wouldn’t be far off the mark to say that England is now the newest of the New World, New Wave wine countries. The 1990s brought several pioneering sparkling wine producers to the fore – led by Nyetimber and Breaky Bottom and suddenly England has found its wine vocation. Oz has long been a champion of English wines and this book helps you find the best wines, from fizz, whites, some impressive reds and even dessert and orange wines. One of the great pleasures of wine is to drink it where it is grown and made. Both wine handbook and armchair companion, English Wine is an essential book for all lovers of wine. The opportunity to meet growers, winemakers and winery owners is what draws people to visit wineries and ‘have an experience in the vineyard’. The book is split into sections: Exciting Times – How it used to be; The Nyetimber effect; Climate: is it almost perfect now?; Location is key; Planting like made; A question of style: sparkling or still; and Grape varieties: a race to the top. British Bubbles – What is needed to make good fizz; Champagne, the original fizz; Bubbles and how they’re created. A Tour Of the Regions – covers personal experiences and reflections from Oz's many years of visiting talented and passionate producers up and down the country. From Yorkshire to the far west of Cornwall and across to Wales, a small but dynamic part of the UK's wine movement, Oz recommends wines he has enjoyed and found interesting and encourages you to try for yourself.

Moving from the first cork tops to screw caps, this unique volume explores winemaking through 100 bottles that made the biggest impact on its evolution. Renowned writer Oz Clarke presents such landmarks as the introduction of the cylindrical wine bottle; the first estate to bottle and label its own wine; the most expensive bottle sold at auction; the change in classifications; famous vintages, and more. It's a beautiful tribute to the bottled poetry that is wine.

This is a fun but respectful (and very comprehensive) guide to everything you ever wanted to know about wine from the creator and host of the popular podcast Wine for Normal People, described by Imbibe magazine as "a wine podcast for the people." More than 60,000 listeners tune in every month to learn a not-snobby wine vocabulary, how and where to buy wine, how to read a wine label, how to smell, swirl, and taste wine, and so much more! Rich with charts, maps, and lists—and the author's deep knowledge and unpretentious delivery—this vividly illustrated, down-to-earth handbook is a must-have resource for millennials starting to buy, boomers who suddenly have the time and money to hone their appreciation, and anyone seeking a relatable introduction to the world of wine.

Oz Clarke’s now-classic pocket wine guide has been thoroughly and meticulously revised and updated for 2008, with much-anticipated lists of favorite wines, top values, producers and regions to watch, new vintage reports, and a country-by-country index.

“An exhilarating wine book... No serious wine lover’s library is complete without it” Wine Spectator Grapes & Wines is the key to enjoying modern wine. Approaching wine through grapes is in tune with the way consumers now think and learn about wine. Most wines, especially those from the Americas, Australasia and South Africa, are now sold under the name of the grape variety used rather than under the old European system of chateau and appellation name. You’re standing in a wine shop and see bottles labeled Aglianico or Tannat. Do you know what they are? Garnatxa sounds familiar and it is, as it is the Basque name of the popular Grenache grape, but how do you know this? You’ve heard of Carmenere from Chile, and probably bought the wine, but did you know it is an old historic Bordeaux variety? This is the perfect book to help you find out more about the world’s top classic grapes, from Cabernet Sauvignon to Zinfandel – the history, the places, the people, the wine styles and the flavours are covered in detail. It is also just the book for dipping into as you come across an unfamiliar grape variety. Grapes & Wines has been thoroughly revised and updated.

Wherever you are - restaurant or wine bar, wine shopping or on the internet, at home or on holiday - you can have Oz Clarke's unrivalled expertise at your fingertips with the revised and updated Pocket Wine Book 2006.Pocket Wine has over 1600 entries, mentions over 7000 wines and 4000 producers, has a star rating including Oz's Pick of the Year, is accessible by an A-Z structure and also gives advice on all you need to know about wine.Find out more about Oz by visiting www.ozclarke.com

Oz uses his trademark wit and irreverent style to teach you the basics of wine appreciation and show you how to get more out of a bottle of wine, and find out what is really inside. Have you ever gone into your local wine shop or looked at the wine list in your local bar and thought with a sense of panic ‘Help, what do I choose?’... What sort of wine do I fancy today? A refreshing white? A summery red to take on a picnic or a spicy wine to go with a winter’s stew?’ Well, Oz is here to help. Split into sections covering basics (wine at a glance, good grape guide, wine styles, from grape to glass and quick guide to countries); practical stuff (what the label tells you, the canny wine buyer, essential kit, serving and keeping wine); and becoming a wine geek (tasting wine, starting your own collection, finding out more and quick guide to names in wine). Oz will be your guide through the world of fascinating flavours and help you find the sort of wine you enjoy drinking. Dip into this book and you will find a quick, accessible guide to wine styles: what is warm and spicy or chewy and blackcurranty? He recommends wines to try; and explains what the label tells you about the taste and quality of the wine and whether it is any good or not. Soon you will be confident enough to choose between flavoursome reds such as Shiraz or Pinot Noir, and refreshing whites from Alberiño to Sauvignon Blanc. The book is divided into short, easy to read topics, with recommended wines to try covering all styles and flavours. Now is the moment to grab that glass, learn about what is inside that bottle and taste while you read...