Adventures on the Wine Route: A Wine Buyer's Tour of France
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Adventures on the Wine Route: A Wine Buyer's Tour of France Hardcover – November 12, 2013
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Praise for Adventures on the Wine Route:
One of the pleasantest and truest books about wine I’ve ever read.” —M. F. K. Fisher
“Kermit’s book changed my thinking about wine. Colorful encounters with larger-than-life personalities, the primacy of the land and authenticity, plus a good dose of humorous anecdotes to keep you entertained. This book deserves to stay in print forever!” —Alice Waters
“Adventures on the Wine Route is the best book I’ve ever read about wine. Kermit Lynch is as brilliant a writer as he is a taster, and his quest for authentic wine is more relevant than ever.” —Jay McInerney
“When one enters a bookstore nowadays and goes to the section reserved for books about wine, one is overwhelmed by how immensely it has grown. In this jungle where obsolescence is rampant, only a very few will become classics. Adventures on the Wine Route is surely one of them—a quarter of a century old and not one wrinkle! The author’s prose, his lyrical descriptions, his enthusiasm—not to mention his unique experiences along ‘his’ wine route—will delight, instruct, and cast an indelible spell on readers for years to come.” —Aubert and Pamela de Villaine
“I am simply thrilled by it. I am bowled over by his blend of poetry and candour. What heaven-sent common sense.” —Hugh Johnson
“Quirky, opinionated, maddening, hilarious . . . riveting, illuminating, totally original . . . Strongly recommended.” —Clive Coates
About the Author
Kermit Lynch was born and raised in California. In 1972, he opened a retail wine shop and later began importing and distributing nationally. In 1988, he published Adventures on the Wine Route, which won the Veuve Clicquot Wine Book of the Year Award. His second book, Inspiring Thirst, was published in 2004. Lynch divides his time between Berkeley and Provence, where he lives with his wife, the photographer Gail Skoff.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By
James Mosewood
on December 30, 2013
Format: Hardcover
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Kermit writes a heartfelt, often funny and entertaining, personal account of his travels within France as a wine importer in the 1980's. When looking for wines to import, he looks for artisanal wines that are made by winemakers that respect tradition and emphasize quality over quantity, while keeping prices reasonable for everyday drinking. Much of the book is his experiences with these winemakers, many humorous anecdotes, but also discusses serious decisions vintners are faced with as land changes hands, new generations take over, technology becomes available, and market trends change. Aside from the ascetic values of the wines, Kermit puts great focus on the personality of the winemakers he meets, which he believes greatly influence the resulting product.
What this book is NOT is a wine guide or a tourist map. Kermit briefly touches upon the differences between wines grown in different regions that he visits, but it is hardly exhaustive or consistent. For example, he does a good job distinguishing between the different appellations of Northern Rhone, but does little to detail the Bordeaux sub-regions. But remember that this is a personal account, so don't expect encyclopedic coverage.
The 25th Anniversary edition adds an extra chapter discussing the trends of the industry since the original 1988 publication, updates on some of the winemakers, and Kermit's personal opinion on natural wines (spoiler: "natural" does not mean good.)
Recommended for anyone who loves wine and wants to know a little more about what it takes to get it to your local store.
What this book is NOT is a wine guide or a tourist map. Kermit briefly touches upon the differences between wines grown in different regions that he visits, but it is hardly exhaustive or consistent. For example, he does a good job distinguishing between the different appellations of Northern Rhone, but does little to detail the Bordeaux sub-regions. But remember that this is a personal account, so don't expect encyclopedic coverage.
The 25th Anniversary edition adds an extra chapter discussing the trends of the industry since the original 1988 publication, updates on some of the winemakers, and Kermit's personal opinion on natural wines (spoiler: "natural" does not mean good.)
Recommended for anyone who loves wine and wants to know a little more about what it takes to get it to your local store.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By
studebhawk
on May 26, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
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Written by a wine professional, Kermit Lynch wrote an ode to the fine art of wine making for us all to enjoy. In the process, he wrote of a time and place in France that has changed dramatically 25 years later. His French contacts are the small family owned vineyards that produce high quality, small yield old growth wine using the old French traditional methods. In the update written for the 25th anniversary edition, he brings us up to date with some of the characters we loved from the original edition. He regrets the passing of his old friends and, with it, the old school methods and traditions of traditional French winemaking. He regrets the profusion of the mass produced wine that we get today using short cut methods to produce large volumes of wine devoid of that signature French “taste”.
In “Adventures on the Wine Route”, Kermit Lynch wrote an ode to a way of life in French wine, of a time and place that was special and in so doing he wrote a love story for us all.
In “Adventures on the Wine Route”, Kermit Lynch wrote an ode to a way of life in French wine, of a time and place that was special and in so doing he wrote a love story for us all.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By
Marie
on January 31, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
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The more you learn about wine, the more you realize you don't know. I'd say I am an advanced wine lover but have recently realized how little I know. I learned so much from this book, things that you wouldn't necessarily know you didn't know, things you wouldn't be able to find in a wine bible.
I always knew I didn't like so2 in my wine and I always thought I liked unfiltered wine. I was able to get a deep understanding of why this is and gained a new appreciation for wine making techniques and natural wines.
I am also an aspiring importer and am taking my first trip to France (for business) this spring and feel much more prepared than before. Still lots to learn, but its of course a fun process!
Anyone could appreciate this book.
I always knew I didn't like so2 in my wine and I always thought I liked unfiltered wine. I was able to get a deep understanding of why this is and gained a new appreciation for wine making techniques and natural wines.
I am also an aspiring importer and am taking my first trip to France (for business) this spring and feel much more prepared than before. Still lots to learn, but its of course a fun process!
Anyone could appreciate this book.
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By
John Spencer
on May 11, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
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Lynch has a way with words that makes his story interesting and engaging. A good book for all interested in wines. However, the best part is the people, but that was 1988 and it has greatly changed in 26 years.
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By
Jonathan Maedche
on May 8, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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Enjoyable read from someone who has had a big impact on wine in the US. It's not about fancy tasting rooms and big advertising. He writes about his experiences with the people and places that make wine happen.
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By
Kathleen Dur
on April 24, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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The addition of a map introducing each wine area of France would have added immensely: Loire, Bordeaux etc with a few of the villages/ towns mentioned that the author visited.
The purchaser needs to know this is still the 1988 edition 'OC the book with an epilogue of sorts. It is not am updated wine route of Loire etc. Not sure it is that helpful.
The purchaser needs to know this is still the 1988 edition 'OC the book with an epilogue of sorts. It is not am updated wine route of Loire etc. Not sure it is that helpful.
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By
Claude A. Dekeyser
on March 27, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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Book is smartly written from Lynch's point of view regarding what he considers the degradation of vinification in order to survive in the business. You'll learn a good amount about traditional wine making, that a 15 degree wine is not necessarily the best wine (the "big and bold" wines), and that a wine can be best enjoyed when paired with a good meal. I often wonderd why so many wines of disparate regions seem to taste almost the same. Well now I know, and now I more carefully read the label which should tell me who bottled the wine and where. A worthwhile journey through the French wine country.
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