Grape names and characteristics have never been so important for
wine producers and consumers. An increasing proportion of wines
are labelled with the names of the grape variety or varieties
that go into them. They can provide vital clues for the wine
drinker to the likely flavour and characteristics of the liquid
inside the bottle. A handful of varieties - Chardonnay, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and so on - are grown in
almost every wine region so that understanding them provides a
fast track to understanding a significant proportion of all wine
produced in the world today. But producers and consumers are
tiring of this domination so that the range of grapes trumpeted
on labels is broadening. This book, with more than 800 grape
names listed and hundreds of different varieties described,
provides a guide to an increasingly important aspect of wine
appreciation.