Bordeaux/Burgundy A Vintage Rivalry [Paperback]

Seeking to penetrate the mysteries of two great wine regions two opposite civilizations, two distinct ways of feeling Jean-Robert Pitte embarks upon an evocative and fascinating exploration of the land, people, and wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy. His account is a rich tapestry of terroir, history, culture, and economics from Roman to modern times. The unique qualities of the wines of each region, Pitte believes, cannot be entirely explained by the differences in their physical environments: they have social origins as well. Beginning with an entertaining look at the remarkable variety of insults exchanged by partisans of the two regions, Pitte delves into the key role played by medieval monks, dukes, and peasantvigneronsin building their respective reputations and in creating the rivalry between bourgeois Bordeaux and earthy Burgundy that we know today. His sparkling, fair-minded narrative, engaging the senses and the mind alike, conveys a deep appreciation of two incomparable winegrowing cultures, united despite their differences by a common ambition to produce the best wines in the world.

Jean-Robert Pitteis professor of geography and president of the University of Paris IV-Sorbonne. He is the author or editor of twelve previous books, includingFrench GastronomyandHistory of the French Landscape.

A fascinating social history of the wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy from their origins to the present day: their contrasts and rivalries, their advocates and their detractors. This will entertain all lovers of the wines of the two greatest regions in the world. Clive Coates, MW, author ofThe Wines of Bordeaux

Anyone who thinks they are only grape-varieties apart must read this. It brilliantly evokes two cultures as different as...Bordeaux and Burgundy. Hugh Johnson, author ofThe World Atlas of Wine

A mouthwatering journey in search of tastes and flavors. . . . A striking syntheslc@