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Not
just grape juice
by Peter
Kennedy
(November 2005)
Graham Harding can claim close links with Wivenhoe; in fact his mother
Jean is a former proprietrix – and I believe co-founder -- of the Wivenhoe
Bookshop. It was
entirely appropriate, therefore, that his new book A
Wine Miscellany was given a comfortingly vinous launch at the Bookshop
itself on the evening of 4th November. Graham
was on hand to introduce his book and to sign copies.
A Wine Miscellany is a
charming collection of witty and erudite vignettes covering almost every
aspect of oenology that you can think of, written by one who thoroughly
knows his subject (the author is Chairman of the Oxford Wine Club).
From its pages you may learn, for example, that Marilyn Monroe is
reported to have bathed in champagne, using 350 bottles to the tub, and
that a 1787 Margaux from the cellar of Thomas Jefferson, celebrated as the
world's most expensive wine, was broken by a clumsy waiter.
Oops.
In his very first line Mr Harding points out that
"Wine is not just the fermented juice of grapes" and tells us
that his book is about the hidden world of wine.
This small book is, in fact, a thorough treat, and the
illustrations that grace almost every page are a delight.
Of 2005 vintage, it is a book you can read now or lay down for
later consumption. Highly
recommended.
A Wine
Miscellany, by Graham Harding. Available
at The Wivenhoe Bookshop, price £9.99
Note: This article was first published in Wivenhoe News,
Winter 2005 Edition, for which publication Peter Kennedy is a member of
the Editorial team. |
