Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #142300 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 304 pages

Customer Reviews

As indispensible as ever but some editing errors creeping in this year
I have bought this book every year for 20+ years and it is a goldmine, this year it is as well researched and comprehensive as ever. This is a must buy for anyone serious about wine.

On the negative side I have noticed that some pages have not been proof read or updated which is surprising. I hope these few irritating errors will be corrected soon and there are no major errors elewhere! Personally
I found the introduction of a parallel system of personal preferences alongside the established markings unneccessary and confusing but others wil appreciate these.

Still the best wine book, but some silly typos
N. Stewart's comments are spot on. This is the best source of wine information in terms of fact per pound (pound weight or pound money), containing more useful facts than most large glossy coffee-table style wine books. Coverage is best on the old world wine regions, especially Bordeaux, giving helpful info on recommended producers, which vintages are good and which are ready to drink. I think it's worth buying a new copy every 2 or 3 years.
Unfortunately there are several very blatant typographical errors in the 2008 edition, such as 'You have to had vines' in the new essay on Italian wines at the end, and several references to a Medoc classification table allegedly on page 96 but in fact non-existent.

Happy newcomer
This is the first time I've bought the annual Hugh Johnson guide and it's a gem: clear, sensible, and down to earth. The genuine pocket size meant I was able to carry it round France for on-the-spot tips.

I do have a gripe and that is with the editing/proof reading. The typos are frequent and irritating. E.g., wines that are "recommended as first choice for drinking in 2005", the 0-20 rating system that goes up to 21.5, and cross-references to other page numbers that are often incorrect. The typos make the book look like a rushed patch-up of previous years.

HOWEVER, that's not Hugh Johnson's fault and there is a career-full of knowledge and good advice here so if you want a decent wine guide, buy it.
(P.S. It's worth stating that this is primarily a guide for buying wine, especially upper-end wine, rather than a book about wine as such).