The Wines Of Burgundy

“o steer enthusiasts through (Burgundy’s) complexities Clive Coates has completed The Wines of Burgundy, a book that meticulously updates and expands his 1997 reference work ‘Côte d’Or’.

Coates is an expert guide. A wine merchant for 20 years, he became a Master of Wine in 1971 and produced The Vine magazine from 1984 to 2005. Who better to describe the region best known for Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée and Puligny-Montrachet?

..... Navigating through more than 800 pages of material, Coates balances technical explanations of vine growing and vinification with strong opinions formed over decades of tasting.

.... This is no coffee-table book. ...... Scholarly and academic, Coates makes few concessions to casual buyers, yet he promises rich dividends to the assiduous reader.

In that respect, his book resembles the elegant, complex wines that are his subject.”

“A master-class in Burgundy, given by one of the world’s foremost authorities. Coates, who clearly adores the region, knows Burgundy intimately. His evaluations of its wine producers are delightfully opinionated.”

“Monumental..... A solid, in-depth reference on Burgundy – the best, in fact since Mr; Coates’s own Côte d’Or...... An invaluable starting point.”

“Men have been driven mad by (Burgundy’s) endless classifications, named vineyards and subtle quality indications, and most wine references fall notably short in offering clarity. But Coates, a British wine authority who lives in the region, ambitiously sorts it all out ........... Coates’ magnum opus remains invaluable.”

“Nobody in the English-speaking world surpasses the ever gracious and prolific British wine writer Clive Coates, MW, in enhancing appreciation and understanding of Burgundy winemakers and wines.

Blending erudition, practical unformation, strong opinions and wry humor with entralling style, Coates’ distinctive, remarkable ‘voice’ confidently transcends the babble of numerical ratings and glossy publications. He guides with deeper, more nuanced insights............

At the evening’s lecture, the affable, 66-year-old Coates stands tall with snowy beard and mustache, balding pate and sturdy 6-foot frame. Sporting a trademark bow-tie and dapper tweed coat, he comfortably grips the lecturn.

Then, like a jazz musician preparing to play riffs rich in complicated melodies, Coates leans forward with eyes partly closed in concentration. Commenting on vintage 2005 wines, his virtuoso torrent of incisive observations delivered in sonorous, gravelly tones envelops the august room’s attentive audience.
Witty quips, vivid stories and profound insights from 40 years of passionate, humble tasting punctuate a performance replete with graceful gestures.

It is an unforgettable theatrical moment worthy of Burgundy’s greatness.”

“Whenever Clive Coates publishes a new wine book, attention must be paid. (He is) one of the most literate, thoughtful and (in the best sense of the word) opinionated writers on wine.....Coates never shy(s) away from controversy, but always tell(s) it like it is. And.... in the best scholarly manner, cramming (his) books with background and detail.

The most useful parts of the book for me are: the introduction, which discusses Burgundy’s arcane nature, while explaining and critiquing its winemaking practices; the detailed essays on individual Burgundy regions and vineyards; and the ..... producer profiles. It is in these areas.... that Coates really stands apart, displaying an unequalled mastery of his subject. Indeed, when it comes to Burgundy, there’s no better authority than Clive Coates. He’s the man.”

“The Wines of Burgundy is the most comprehensive survey and ranking of Burgundy growers that I know........Few people have spent so much time doing so much primary research as Coates..... He has visited 250 growers, spending three or four months of the year doing so, for the last 20 years......... (he) has no rivals.

Highly recommended.....Coates often adds ‘Grand Vin!’ at the end of a note on a particularly splendid wine. In the same spirit, I would feebly pun, ‘Grand Bouquin”

“No serious Burgophile should be without it.”

“Few writers are as well qualified than Clive Coates to cover Burgundy in the detail the subject demands........The layout of The Wines of Burgundy is clear and the typography elegant.This is a well-produced.....considerable book.The sheer extent of its coverage.....could appear daunting.....Yet it’s made surprisingly accessible by the clarity of Coates’s style.......If you have even a passing interest in Burgundy, this book will take you to higher levels and make you want to investigate with your own tastebuds......His tasting notes are clear and avoid hyperbole.......For the current price of a bottle of premier cru Burgundy, the serious wine lover would be well advised to invest in this tome. And the less serious wine lover will considerably expand his understanding of one of the most fascinating areas in wine. My personal test of any wine book is: Does it make me want to try more of the wines from this particular area or producer? In the case of Coates’s magisterial work on Burgundy, the answer is an emphatic, Yes.”

“My top 2008 recommendation as a reference book.”