Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Encyclopedia of Wine 2001

by Hugh Johnson

Simon & Schuster, 280 pp., $13.95

Hugh Johnson’s knowledge of wine is encyclopedic, so the title is apropos.

This little pocket-sized book is a treasure trove of wine info. Johnson discusses grape varieties, food/wine matching, quality of vintages, and literally thousands of individual wines. Designed for portability and inconspicuousness, this Encyclopedia is a godsend for beginners and experts alike. There is no way on earth any of us can know everything about wine, let alone easily commit what we do know to memory.

For example, let’s say you’re sitting in an Italian restaurant and you see a bottle of 1990 Travaglini Gattinara on the list. Is it a good choice? Look it up in the Encyclopedia and you’ll find that it is a product of the Nebbiolo grape, that 1990 is a great vintage, and that Travaglini is one of the best producers in Italy for this type of wine. Wonder what Nebbiolo is? Johnson describes it as “One of Italy’s best red grapes … intense, nobly fruity, perfumed wine but very tannic; improves for years.” How about a recommendation for food/wine matching? Back at the imaginary Italian restaurant, you see a beautiful pasta with meat sauce. What wine? Johnson gets right to the heart and recommends a 1996 Taurino Salice Salentino, which I can tell you from personal experience is a faultless recommendation. If you have any interest in wine, or want to give a gift to someone who does, this little book is a great gift. I know of no better testament to it than its longevity; this is its 25th edition. People who have experienced it go back and buy the new edition year after year after year. That includes me.

This article appears in December 15 • 2000.

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Wes Marshall is the author of What's a Wine Lover To Do? (Artisan) and The Wine Roads of Texas (Maverick), as well as the Executive Producer of the PBS television series of the same name. Wes has written for The Austin Chronicle since 1999, covering wine, cocktails, food, and travel.