Reviews
"This blend of personal recollection and definitive scholarship is an essential reference." - Best Wine Books of 2014, D'Agata has done superb scholarship on grapes both minor and major. . . . Serious lovers of Italianate wines need this book., D'Agata's book knows no equal. . . . In my mind, what lifts this particular volume above and beyond is the way in which D'Agata's editor has chosen to preserve the author's inherent wry humour, charm, and wit across all 600+ pages., Superbly written, and very detailed . . . .Comprehensive and richly informative. His writing is excellent: his prose is flowing and easy-to-read., There's little anyone could possibly want to find out about Italian viticulture and viniculture that isn't here. It is a magnum opus of daunting authority., D'Agata didn't just write this book, he lived it, and it's clear that he takes personal responsibility for the fate of Italy's native grape varieties. The frustration, tenderness, and romance that infuse both anecdotes and technical passages alike make this book an unexpected page-turner., This book had to be written, and Ian D'Agata is the only person I know who could have done it. . . . I strongly suspect every wine professional and wine consumer with a serious interest in Italian wine will come to count on the book as an indispensable work of reference for many years to come., Wine writers will tell you that they reach for two kinds of books: those for serious research and those for curling up in a favorite chair. When a book inhabits both categories, it is a rare and delightful tome indeed., Native Wine Grapes of Italy is a painstakenly researched and represents a significant contribution to the world of Italian grapes and wines., Intended for fans of Italian wine who want to learn more about all the native grape varieties, region by region. . . . An excellent reference tool for those interested in viticulture who would like to go beyond the science of tasting., 'Definitive' is the term that comes to mind for this book. It is rare to find a book that seems to cover its subject so thoroughly that it banishes the thought of needing any further resource on the matter, but Native Wine Grapes of Italy by Ian D'Agata is such a book., This is . . . a book for any ardent lover of Italian wine to keep handy. . . . His friendly, open voice and appealing combination of humility and pride are just right for his complex subject., Detailed, interesting and original and I recommend to anyone interested in Italian wines or the topic of native wine grapes generally. It is a seriously fascinating read.
