Wines of Italy - Michele Shah

A must-have for every Italian wine-lover, this book begins with a useful scene-setting chapter, including notes on over 100 grape varieties found in Italy, an update on wine laws, plus a useful glossary. Twenty chapters cover the length and breadth of the country, introducing the region and its winemaking history, before describing each DOC, every producer of note, and all their top wines. Vintage recommendations appear at all levels: for the region in general, the DOC/IGT, and for the producer. A brief description of the local food, plus a selection of hotels and country lodgings, restaurants and trattorias completes each chapter.