Margaux: The Wines of France

In this authoritative series each principal area or appellation of France is covered by a separate volume. The wines of Margaux are arguably the most famous in the world. Renowned for their elegance, complexity and balance, they are perhaps the finest, though most discreet, of Bordeaux wines. While other areas produce wines with pronounced characteristics which are readily identifiable, Margaux is the epitome of refinement and subtlety. Hugh Johnson, the distinguished author and wine critic, describes the early volumes in the series in the Foreword: "The story starts with the physical and historical groundwork, including new geological maps in fascinating detail. The heart of the introduction is the gastronomic questions - what is the identity of the appellation? How do you recognize its wines? How do its citizens view them, use them, and marry them with local ingredients in local dishes? The repertoire of châteaux follows, leaving nothing out: a piece of research of inestimable value that goes far beyond any other document I know in its scope, even leaving aside the author's deep involvement with the his subject. This is not a book of tasting notes - rather the book that enables you to taste with discrimination; to know what it is you are tasting and to draw accurate conclusions. The single consistent conclusion that the author draws is the 'rapport qualitè-prix, or value for money, indicated by a row of glasses. The more full glasses, the higher his rating."