The bestselling and definitive guide to Australian wine
James Halliday
Hardie Grant Books - $39.99
This door stopper of a book, almost 800 pages, with its immodest but apparently absolutely accurate sub title, was presented to me by a Melbourne-based mate who was vsiting at the weekend. He attended the book's launch a while back and thus on opening the book I was delighted to find it inscribed "To Bookman Beattie, Enjoy! And signed by the man himself, James Halliday. I have heard halliday speak on as couple of occasions, and admired his writing, (in books and magazines), for many years, but haven't met him so I especally value this gift. Thanks Peter.
I imagine the book is keenly anticipated each year by winemakers, collectors and wine lovers and it is certainly recognised nationally as the industry benchmark. The 2011 edition has been completely revised to bring it right up-to-date.
In his inimitable style, Halliday shares his extensive knowledge of wine through detailed tasting notes, each with vintage-specific ratings and advice on optimal drinking as well as each wine’s closure, alcohol content and price. He provides information about the wineries, winemakers and other important details such as vineyard sizes, opening times, contact details and website addresses.
Seems to me that every drinker of Aussie wines, wherever they are, would find this an indispensable reference from Australia's leading wine authority and certainly it is a must-have guide for anyone planning to visit a winegrowing region, or wanting to replenish their cellar or wine rack.
Features
• Full tasting notes for 3888 wines (how do these guys do that?!)
• Ratings, drink-to dates and prices for a further 2613 wines
• 111 new wineries
• 1487 winery profiles
• Best of the best wines by variety
• Vintage rating charts for each region
• Regional index showing availability of food, accommodation, music events and cellar door sales
• A full-colour map of the wine regions of Australia
Respected wine critic and vigneron James Halliday has a career that spans over forty years, but he is most widely known for his witty and informative writing about wine. As one of the founders of Brokenwood in the Lower Hunter Valley, New South Wales, and thereafter of Coldstream Hills in the Yarra Valley, Victoria, James is an unmatched authority on every aspect of the wine industry, from the planting and pruning of vines through to the creation and marketing of the finished product. His winemaking has led him to sojourns in Bordeaux and Burgundy, and he has had a long career as a wine judge in Australia and overseas.
James Halliday has contributed to more than 60 books on wine since he began writing in 1979. His books have been translated into Japanese, French, German, Danish, Icelandic and Polish, and have been published in the UK and the US, as well as in Australia. He is also the author of James Halliday’s Wine Atlas of Australia and The Australian Wine Encyclopedia.
Author photo above - Bobswinereviews.
Footnote:
We have tentative plans to visit the Barossa Valley next year so I guess my recently arrived book will be going back across the Tasman again if the plan comes to fruition.
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