cover image The Wines of the South of France

The Wines of the South of France

Rosemary George. Faber & Faber, $20 (608pp) ISBN 978-0-571-19267-0

The South of France or for cognoscenti, the Midi isn't famous for its wines, to put it kindly. But in The Wines of the South of France: From Banyuls to Bellet, Rosemary George argues that in recent years, new growers and techniques have moved into the area, and the wine is now competitive with the world's best. George (French Country Wines) explores Languedoc-Rousillon, Provence and Corsica, examining the viticulture, past and present, of each region's towns. George is especially interested in new grape varieties, such as Syrah and Grenache. Although the book is a bit bulky to carry around, any wine enthusiast or history buff would find it illuminating on a Midi excursion. 10 b&w maps. (Aug.)