Monday, Dec. 15, 2008

Book reviews: 'Pacific Pinot' explores portion of West Coast

Pacific Pinot Noir, by John Winthrop Haeger, University of California Press, 2008, $22

John Winthrop Haegar picks up where he left off with North American Pinot Noir (2004) with a comprehensive study of Pinot Noir from Oregon's Chehalem Mountains to Santa Barbara, Calif.

Haegar, who should be considered one of America's leading experts on the most elusive and infuriating wine grape, spent considerable time to research (and taste) Pinot Noir up and down the West Coast. He tackles a variety of Sideways questions that didn't exist when he wrote his first book on the subject and provides an A to Z review of selected wineries. Oregon is well represented in this book, as it should be, though the focus is on the six appellations of the north Willamette Valley.

One might wonder, however, if Haeger might want to explore the outer edges of Pacific Pinot Noir in the next edition by taking in some of the efforts in Washington's Puget Sound and Chelan areas as well as the much more established Pinot producers in B.C.'s Okanagan Valley.

Andrew Jefford's Wine Course, by Andrew Jefford, Ryland Peters & Small, $30

British wine writer Andrew Jefford has written a wonderfully complex and layered book that reveals a greater understanding about the wine world around us.

This hardcover book would make a great gift for any wine lover - beginner to expert - because it offers so much information in an easy-to-use format.

I especially appreciated the region-by-region and country-by-country look at wine. Jefford shows a surprising level of knowledge and insight of each region and offers tips on how best to compare wines and learn more.