The Geography of Wine

December 24, 2007
Sommers, a professor of geography, explains the role that landscape, history, economics and culture play in wine regions from Burgundy to Australia to California. While the varied microclimates of the Rhineland, for example, and unique soil of Bordeaux make for exquisite Riesling from the former and the characteristic cabernet sauvignon of the latter, environmental conditions like these are but one part of viticulture's complex geography. Historical factors such as colonialism, trade and urbanization also determine what wines are cultivated and where. As well, the economic geography of contemporary vineyards is ever-evolving: retail venues and the marketability of a product vary enormously, the Internet has broadened the market for wine and conglomerates are an increasing presence. In his wide-ranging analysis of the obvious and imperceptible elements that characterize a wine region and its rewards, Sommers tips his glass to the steadfast amour between viticulture and geography.

December 15, 2007
For centuries, wine has customarily been classified and labeled by its place of origin. To know what land a wine comes from is already to know a lot about how its likely to taste. Sommers explains in detail these essential connections between wine and geography. For Sommers, geography is much more than merely latitude, longitude, and landscape. Soil type, sun exposure, rainfall, drainage, the seasons, agricultural traditions, and grape varieties all have effects and make each vineyard unique, even before the vintners art comes into play. Economics and politics, too, contribute to the mix, governing how wine is distributed to consumers. Sommers discusses each of these factors, showing their effect on wine production in areas as diverse as Bordeaux, the Rhine Valley, South Africa, and Oregon. He even explains how geography affects wines competitors such as beer and distilled liquors. This is a very useful introduction for beginning students of wine.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)