It seems that I am ‘outed’.
With the title already listed on amazon (amongst other places) it’s time to come clean. Now you can see why my Spring Burgundy Report was a bit late and also why I was forced to taste so many wines in the last few months – pesky research eh…(!)
Actually, and naturally enough, I loved the research, but committing everything to paper (okay, okay – typing!) now that’s something else; but alone, Jon Wyand’s photos are to die for.
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully express my gratitude to the publishers for showing faith in such a non-establishment (perhaps not quite anti-establishment) author; or more correctly at the time, ‘potential author’; but it was paramount for me to bring entirely my own face and understanding to this work – I pretty-much interviewed them (they were desperate – Jasper was busy!). With this handy format book (it can always be in your travel bag) I’m aiming to explode a few myths, generally improve everybody’s drinking experiences and showcase some new talent – but without being facile – clearly modest targets!
Despite the title of ‘finest’ you may interchangeably use the word ‘interesting’. The readers of this site will have met many of these producers already – but people who buy books have a habit of being a quite different audience.
Having been paid a generous sum to write the book, it makes no (financial) difference to me if the publishers sell twenty or twenty million copies, but it’s now on pre-order at amazon, and frankly for peanuts. You’ve nothing to lose and everything to gain 😉
There are 14 responses to “book: the finest wines of burgundy…”
Pre-ordered on Amazon today!
will order in a few minutes! Congratulations!!!!
1 Jan is the ETA?
Fooled me there – thought you were writing a book solely on Monopoles but seemingly not ! Well camouflaged indeed it seems.
Very well done though, guess I cannot imagine the commitment required. To be ordered as soon as home tonight & on own PC (whilst continuing to try and get on with my own pathetic vendange prose). When can I please have my copy to come autographed a la Burghound ? Maybe at that Paulee meeting with handover of the Pataille shared order 😉
Now have a rest & drink some nice wine !!
Congrats Bill,
Book duely pre-ordered
Many congratulations Bill. I’m very much looking forward to reading this. Perhaps cause to celebrate with a glass or two next time you are in Leeds !
Pre-ordered mine last week, but didn’t “out” you 🙂
Very cool news — congratulations! Have a couple of other titles in this series; they’re excellent, and I’ve been wondering who would author one on Burgundy at some point. Really happy to learn that its you, Bill. Looks to not be available even for pre-order here on Amazon in the US yet (will be soon, I’m sure), though they list the publication date to be 1/25/12. Again, congrats, and cheers!
Congratulations Bill ! Will order mine tonight.
So none of your photos are included ? That would be a shame !
Well, unavoidably Michael, there actually is one of me, but frankly my holiday-snaps pale… 😉
Congratulations Bill!
I have been an avid reader of your report for years. If the book lives up to this standard and Jasper’s Inside Burgundy for that matter – it will prove to be a very nice addition.
Pre-ordered on Amazon today.
Congrats Bill,
I pre-ordered mine today. I’m lokking forward to receive the book.
Congratulations Bill! Looking forward to receiving mine too.
Sorry Bill, I could not resist pitching in. As the lucky photographer on this series I have an advance copy ! All real Burgundy fans will buy this, sight unseen. Will they regret it ?
Never. I have Great Domaines latest edition, Grand Cru, Inside Burgundy, all appearing recently but I have to say Finest will be the first I pick up to read. The others are great reference, but Jasper has not, I think, had to make choices. You have and while there are plenty of what some will see as omissions, if your publisher limits you to 90 and, in order to do a good job, you must introduce fresh faces, well some have to go.
Those who don’t go there to make up their own minds need shaking out a rut and encouraging to believe that Côte d’Or is not just about big names and big prices. I am not yet even into the main entries but have learned a lot, with pleasure.
Please don’t think “He would say that would n’t he ?”
because I have no brief to support this book, just great enthusiasm for it. No one will be disappointed.
Bravo Bill.
Jon
Hi Bill,
First of all, great book. Got mine 2 weeks ago, and now i can say that i am more confident in buying my burgundy in new zealand. tho we have very very limited availability of burgs here, but at least i know what to seek out for and what not.
bravo!
vinholic.
HI BILL,
CONGRATULATIONS!!
I THANK YOU FOR THIS WORK ON BURGUNDY. SINCE I BOUGHT IT, IT HAS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HELPED ME IN FINDING THE RIGHT PRODUCERS, EVALUATING THEIR BEST WINES, TASTING THEM AND BUYING THEM.
FOR ME THIS IS THE MOST USEFUL BOOK ON BURGUNDY ON THE MARKET TODAY. SOME FRENCH
VIGNERONS/PRODUCERS IN THE BOOK HAVE ASKED ME AFTER SEEING THEIR OWN CHAPTERS WITH PHOTOS:
WHEN WILL THERE BE A FRENCH TRANSLATION OF THIS BOOK OUT. WILL THERE BE ONE?
I AM ALSO GRATEFUL TO YOU ON YOUR EVALUATION OF THE DOMAINE CAMUS PERE & FILS IN
GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN. I FULLY AGREE WITH YOUR FINDINGS. IT IS A PITY THAT THEIR WINES ARE
SO NEGLECTED BY THE WINE TRADE AND WINE JOURNALISTS. THE CONSUMER HAS A RIGHT TO
BE INFORMED ABOUT GOOD WINES AND WINES AT SUCH BARGAIN PRICES EG. FOR GRAND CRUS.
ALL THE BEST
ERNST BROSSMANN