Exploring Wine Regions is a new series of wine and
travel guides launched by author and photographer Michael C. Higgins. He
started the series with a book on Argentina, subtitled A Culinary,
Agricultural, and Interesting Journey Through Argentina. The second book came out last month on
Bordeaux, subtitled Discover Wine, Food, Castles, and the French Way of
Life.
Both books are meticulously researched, insider accounts of
wineries and vineyards in the regions they cover as well as travel guides to
the food, special lodging, sights, and history. Higgins did his own research
and photography, and his enthusiasm shows on every page.
BORDEAUX
I was drawn to the Bordeaux book first because I have
never visited the wineries there and I would like to. As Higgins describes,
Bordeaux is "the center of the universe for wine." So much of the
wine we recognize, no matter where it is now made, is made from Bordeaux
varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Higgins packs a lot of information into these dense books. The
Bordeaux book starts with a history of winemaking in the region and an
overview of the geography. There follows a concise travel guide to the city of
Bordeaux, including sites, restaurants, hotels, and all the information a
traveler needs for a visit. Then Higgins lays out each appellation and sub-appellation
of Bordeaux in a methodically organized manner, moving outward from the city of
Bordeaux.
Each chapter includes information and photos about the wineries,
as well as tips for where to eat and stay. Often dining and lodging are part of
the winery experience. One of the criteria Higgins used to decide whether to
include a winery in his book was if it offered some experience more than only
wine tasting. To be in the book, a winery had to be open to the public (makes
sense), have excellent wine, and offer something to elevate the visit above the
ordinary. He found wineries offering rooms in castles for overnight guests,
restaurants, winemaking workshops, cooking classes, and other unique
experiences.
Exploring Wine Regions: Bordeaux is chock-o-block
with gorgeous photographs, making it a perfect armchair travel book for any
Francophile. It is also indispensable for planning a wine tour of the region. I
can't imagine visiting Bordeaux without Higgins's book!
ARGENTINA
Having indulged in the Bordeaux book, I wanted to
poke around in the Argentina book to learn something about a wine region
I know absolutely nothing about. Wow! Now I want to visit Argentina.
Like with the Bordeaux book, Higgins starts with a
geographic overview of the wine regions of Argentina. He follows with a travel
guide to Mendoza, the large city that is the capital of the Mendoza wine region
and a good place from which to stage an exploration of Argentinian wineries. He
then moves through each of the four main wine regions.
Only a few of the wineries featured offer much in the way of
dining, lodging, or add-on experiences. Higgins provides information on where
to eat and stay, as well as sites and recreational activities. Argentina is spectacularly
beautiful, so the geography is as much of a draw as the amenities.
THE SERIES
The next book in the series will be a book about Napa
Valley. If it is as good as the first two, it is sure to be another winner.
My only quibble with both books is that there is no information
about prices – of wine, restaurants, or lodging. I know prices change, so
putting actual numbers in makes no sense. And Higgins includes websites for
every place mentioned, so it is not arduous learn more. But it would be nice to
have a little guidance about whether a restaurant or winery is a once-in-a-lifetime
spree or a reasonable stop for an afternoon. Higgins wrote in the Bordeaux
introduction that he was "on a quest to find the good at good prices, and
the extraordinary wines at better prices." So even knowing whether a winery
falls in the good wine/good price or extraordinary wine/better price category
would be nice.
Read more about Higgins and learn more about the Exploring Wine Regions series at ExploringWineRegions.com.
