Knowing and Making Wine

Rating:
Summary: A Bible for the truly serious wine student
Review: Peynaud's stature in the wine world is legendary. He trained a copule of generations of Bordeaux winemakers, and through his words you can gain insight into classic winemaking and classic beliefs of that major region. The book is highly technical--I ended up reading it twice, to understand it fully. But Peynaud is also a poet, and a philospher, and his language is beautiful. This is a book that you'll refer to for your lifetime--provided that you're really serious about understanding the principles and philosophies behind winemaking.

Rating:
Summary: A work of true genius!
Review: This book differed from any other winemaking reference I have encountered. While the text is aging and some of the information is therefore of questionable accuracy (eg: "open top fermenters are losing favor for red wine vinification"), I found these lapses to be mostly in the category of trends in practice and therefore obvious. These minor shortcomings are overwhelmed by the unique viewpoints of a man known rightfully as one of the wine worlds giants. There are brilliant insights into vinification and wine structure in this book that I have encountered nowhere else. Not in other texts, symposia, trade journals or conversations with great winemakers. If you are a professional or serious amateur winemaker, buy this book and read it. Then read it again. Thank you Monsieur Peynaud for this gift.

Rating:
Summary: A work of true genius!
Review: This book differed from any other winemaking reference I have encountered. While the text is aging and some of the information is therefore of questionable accuracy (eg: "open top fermenters are losing favor for red wine vinification"), I found these lapses to be mostly in the category of trends in practice and therefore obvious. These minor shortcomings are overwhelmed by the unique viewpoints of a man known rightfully as one of the wine worlds giants. There are brilliant insights into vinification and wine structure in this book that I have encountered nowhere else. Not in other texts, symposia, trade journals or conversations with great winemakers. If you are a professional or serious amateur winemaker, buy this book and read it. Then read it again. Thank you Monsieur Peynaud for this gift.

Rating:
Summary: Thorough, "scientific" study of wine making
Review: This classic by French oenologist Peynaud is dense and intellectual, chock full of charts and detailed descriptions of the chemical reactions that go into the making and aging of wine. Intended primarily for the serious, advanced wine fancier (or wine maker), it's rightly regarded as a classic

Rating:
Summary: Knowing is one thing,Making another.
Review: This work is easy to read for those involved in the industry.As a grapegrower whose grapes go to good wineries but,makes a ton or so of Cab sav each year for the family,this book is a great help.If my chemistry was better I could give it the extra star.Generally it provides answers to all of the questions that I ask.It is well served with a good index and this helps for quick guidance when needed.I think it helps me make better wine.