Description

Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay. Chenin Blanc. Merlot. Pinot Noir. Riesling. Sauvignon Blanc. Semillon. Shiraz. Through these bestselling wines made from the renowned and ubiquitous nine ‘noble’ grapes, expert wine biologist Dr Andrew Wood tells the story and science of the wines we love to drink.

From the rescue in the 19th century of European vineyards from pestilence by the grafts of American vines and the discovery of Sauternes made from rotting grapes by 18th century French peasants, to the use of climate data to optimise harvests and experiments in terroir to affect taste – along with stories of individual vineyards, tasting notes for each grape and original analysis of wine prices – Noble Nine delves into fascinating botanical history and cutting edge science to explore why wine tastes the way it does, and how biology, weather and human shape it.

Hugely informative and entertaining, Noble Nine opens a unique window onto wine: its qualities, its heritage, and its future, from vine to glass and every stage in between.

Publisher Review

A refreshingly new perspective. Andrew Woods has taken a fascinating approach, with impeccably researched information from history, culture, agronomy, philosophy, commerce, and, above all, great taste. The result is the most enchanting vinous page-turner I have encountered — Matthew Jukes An engaging blend of history, sociology, science and the importance and impact of wine on shaping our society, Noble Nine beautifully weaves together the symbiotic relationship between wine and human civilisation. Insightful and entertaining – I loved it — Libby Brodie