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Page 1: Fruit of the vine: World wine magazines

Fruit of the Vine: World Wine Magazines

Dennis Baird and Lynn Baird

Few industries are as romantic as the wine trade, or as widespread. Wine knowledge was once ex- clusively held by wealthy consumers; wine snobbery now is a game for all. To master the game, the player must be a master sleuth, as wine is made all over the globe. Vineyards are planted in temperate regions of both hemispheres. Some less temperate climates, such as those of North Africa and parts of the Soviet Union, support wine industries as well. Even war- torn Lebanon has vineyards and a surviving winery. Popular and trade magazines about wine are as widespread as their subject. This article will evaluate the wine journals of the world, with the exception of those written in non-western languages or those devoted to the discussion of grape growing or tech- nical aspects of wine making.

Most of these magazines are not listed in Ulrich's, nor are they widely held by North American libraries. Few of them are indexed. They are often distinguished by excellent writing and fine, color printing. The library collections at the University of California at Davis and California State University at Fresno are among the most complete in the United States, but even they lack many important trade and con- sumer journals. Our research has been greatly aided by the various trade commissions of grape-growing countries as well as by our contacts in the wine trade.

Some of the most widely read and influential sources of information about wine are not primarily wine magazines. The French travel magazine, Gault- Millau, runs a regular, influential wine column and publishes an annual special issue devoted to wine. Similarly, Vogue, Food & Wine, and Bon Appeti t feature respected wine columns, and that of Gerald Asher in Gourmet is one of America's best. The

Dennis Baird is Social Science Librarian at the University of Idaho Library. Lynn Baird is Head, Serials Department at the University of Idaho Library.

weekly wine columns of Nathan Chroman in the Los Angeles Times and Frank Prial in the New York Times have huge readerships, carry immense influence, and are widely reprinted in many regional newspapers. In the Pacific Northwest, Tom Stockley's weekly Seattle Times column is of major importance for an area that has become the nation's second largest producer of wine.

Remembering limited budgets, we will assess the relative importance of these magazines. Sub- scription prices have been converted to American dollars to facilitate their comparison. (The sub- scription prices given here include the cost of post- age. When this price is followed by the word "for- eign," the price given includes the cost of mailing the journal to the United States. The word "do- mestic" indicates that the price given includes the cost of mailing the journal within the country in which it is published.) Included here are magazines from various countries that will be of interest to wine consumers and those in the wine trade.

Argentina

Argentina y Sus Vinos = Argentina and Its Wines. 1979-. T. $10 (foreign). La Camara de Exportaciones, Vinos Finos y Champagne de la Asociacion Viti- vinicola Argentina, Paraguay 1307, Piso 9, Oficina 78, Buenos Aires (1057). Ed.: Manuel B. Kaminetzky.

This bilingual publication (Spanish with English translations), offers the consumer an overall view of Argentine wines. The issue reviewed includes articles on food and wine, Argentine law, wineries, vineyards, and an Argentine wine-producing region. With much space given to color illustrations and advertising, the magazine lacks significant substance. However, it was the only available example of a magazine for wine consumers published in Argentina, a country with a substantial wine industry. It is recommended for libraries desiring to include publications repre-

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Page 2: Fruit of the vine: World wine magazines

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6 SERIALS REVIEW F A L L 1985

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senting all geographic areas.

Australia

Australian Grapegrower & Winemaker. M. $17.50 (foreign). Ryan Publications, 95 Currie St., Adelaide, South Australia, 5000. Ed.: John Ryan. Issue ex- amined: n245, May 1984.

This is a trade publication. As such, its consumer appeal is limited. Illustrated with charts, this pub- lication is a good source of statistical information. Its articles cover marketing subjects, the technicalities of wine-making, and grape-growing techniques. This magazine is recommended for libraries spec- ializing in the wine trade.

Wine & Spirit Monthly. M. $14 (domestic). Wine & Spirit Monthly, Subscription Dept., PO Box 247, Pyrmont, New South Wales 2009. Ed.: Philip White. Issue examined: July 1984.

This consumer's magazine features articles on Australian wineries and on wine-growing regions throughout the world, and includes recipes for food with recommendations for accompanying wines. It is beautifully illustrated. There are tasting notes in each issue that features Australian wines. Feature articles focus on port, rum, armagnac, and other spirits. New wine releases (including imports) are listed by price. This is a first-rate, reasonably priced publication. It runs about 65 pages per issue. It is recommended for libraries with strong cookery or wine collections.

Winestate. l 1/yr. $24.50 (foreign airmail). Peter Simic Wine Promotions, 92 Pirie St., Adelaide 5000 South Australia. Ed.: Paul Giles. Issue examined: n68, July 1984.

Winestate is a consumer magazine full of newsy tidbits, tasting notes, and Australian wine lore. Fully illustrated with very good color and black-and-white photographs, this attractive magazine provides consumers with extensive tasting notes (new wines, regional wines, and varieties of wine), as well as information about local wineries, international wines, and wine cookery. While this magazine has popular appeal, serious wine buffs might be less enchanted than the novice because the magazine lacks technical detail. It is recommended to libraries that want to include a wine magazine from "the land down under."

Austria

Osterreichische Wein.Zeitung. 1945-. M. $31.20 (foreign). Osterreichischer Agrarverlag, Bankgasse 1-3, A-1014 Wien.

This nicely printed monthly newsletter doubles as the official magazine of the Osterreichischen

Weinbruderschaft. It features news on wine-produc- tion, and related topics, in Austria, such as harvesting, festivals, and the activities of local promotional groups. It is a good source of statistics but not the place to locate critical information on Austrian wines.

Vinaria. 1981-. T. $4.25 (domestic). Cave, Postfach 223, t 190 Wien. Ed.: Josef Obermaier.

This is a poorly printed wine consumers' mag- azine, densely packed with detailed tasting and buy- ing notes. It also includes maps and articles on grape-growing areas, and an occasional book review. It is an especially strong source of information on Austrian wines.

France

Cuisine et Vins de France. 1947-. l 1/yr. $24.30 (foreign). Compagnie Francaise d'Editions Gastron- omiques, 11 Ave. de l'Opera, 75001 Paris. Ed.: Michel Creignou. Circ.: 50,000. ISSN 001t-2704.

This is a lovely, fascinating magazine full of opinionated, well written articles on food and wine. Articles on food predominate, but the articles on wine that are included are excellent. There are lots of detailed tasting notes accompanied by the names and addresses of the vendors, and purchasing infor- mation, mostly for wines made in France. The magazine also does a good job of covering beer and other alcoholic drinks. Its restaurant and food reviews are very reliable. Fine color photographs make the magazine an attractive one.

Medoc/Bordeaux. Q. $5.35 (foreign). G.I.E. des Vins de Medoc, 1 Cours du XXX Juillet, 33000 Bordeaux. Issue examined: n29, April 1984.

This is a promotional and educational magazine about the wines of the Bordeaux region. The text is in French with English translations. Each issue contains maps, lots of pictures, and uncritical articles about the leading wine producers of the region. Some marketing news is included and most issues are rich in statistics about Bordeaux. As promotional magazines go, this is a fairly good one.

Moniteur Vinicole. 1856-. W. $29.50 (foreign). S.M.I.E., 23 rue des Lices, 84000 Avignon. Ed.: Robert Joly.

One of the oldest wine magazines in Europe, this is a curious little weekly newspaper with an odd mix of articles. There are lots of newsy articles on local festivals and tastings, and some educational articles on broad topics. Much of each issue, however, is made up of brief articles on obscure producers of wine, price data on low-cost table wine, and viti- cultural themes. This is a very low-priority purchase.

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Le Nouveau guide Gault Millau. 1969-. M. $38 (foreign). Jour-Azur S.A., 210 rue du Faubourg St. Antoine, 75012 Paris. Ed.: Yves Bridault. Circ.: 160,000. ISSN 0399-8223.

This is a travel magazine, a source of influential restaurant criticism, and one of Europe's most important wine publications, all rolled into a fas- cinating, continually controversial package. The writing is witty and demanding, and the photographs are always first-rate. This magazine's annual wine issue can make or break a French winemaker; nearly every issue contains lengthy, often quite critical articles dealing with wines and wine regions. The writing style is often convoluted but the articles are always authoritative. This is one of the world's most interesting food and wine magazines and would be a good choice for any library seeking to build its collections in this area. The magazine's North Amer- ican edition, also published in French, has an insert aimed at readers in Quebec.

Revue du vin de France. 1927-. Bi-M. $30 (foreign airmail). Leader SA, 65 rue Montmartre, 75002 Paris. Ed.: Chantal Lecouty. Circ.: 10,000. ISSN 0035- 273X.

This is undoubtedly the best, most influential wine magazine in France and one of the world's most important. It features articles written in a serious, clear style, accompanied by maps and full-color illustrations. The writing of virtually every wine expert in Europe has appeared in the pages of this magazine. The primary emphasis of the magazine is on French wines; virtually none of these goes untasted or unexamined. Tasting notes abound. Few French wine personalities are spared scrutiny. The announcement and book review sections are also important. This should be high on anyone's list of choices of wine magazines.

Revue vinicole internationale. M. $48.82 (foreign airmail). Leader International Press, 65 rue Mont- martre, 75002 Paris. Ed.: Jean-Claude LeBrun. Circ.: 10,200. ISSN 0035-4365. Issue examined: v106, n3265, April 1985.

This fine magazine is the most important wine trade publication in France. It includes detailed articles on wine marketing, wine producers, and wine-growing regions in Europe. Some articles are summarized in English. This magazine is an important source of French wine statistics. There are also many very useful articles on wine firms, personalities, promotional activities, and wine judgings. The mag- azine is well-printed and illustrated, and, although a trade journal, would still be of great interest to the general public. The overall tone of the articles is not adulatory.

Wines and Spirits from France: Export. 1927-. M.

$40.40 (foreign airmail). Journee Vinicole, 12 rue Alfred Roll, 75017 Paris. Ed.: Jean-Christophe Causse. Circ.: 20,000. ISSN 0022-5649.

This is a condensed, English-language, monthly version of the French daily, Journee Vinicole. It would be useful both to people in the wine-making trade and to consumers, since it includes detailed statistical articles as well as many articles Of general interest. Many articles include useful maps, usually in full color. The magazine also covers most trade functions and new developments on the French wine scene. The tone of the magazine is uncritical and quite promotional.

Germany

Alles Uber Wein. Q. $5.15 (domestic). Alles uber Wein, Draiser Strasse 137, D-6500 Mainz. ISSN 0175-8314. Issue examined: n l , 1984.

A very beautiful wine magazine that also includes articles relating to gastronomy and tourism, this is a highly recommended German consumer wine periodical. It is printed in full color and packed with interesting advertisements. Its photography and information about tourism in wine-producing regions are first-rate. Most issues have very detailed tasting notes, and all types of wine, even non-German wines, are covered. There are often critical articles on wine history, estates, and vintages, all written by well-known authors.

German Wine Review. S.A. $10 (foreign). Deutscher Weinwirtschaftsverlag, Maximilianstrasse 7-17, D- 6730 Neustadt. Ed.: Rudolf Knoll. LC 80-641429. ISSN 0341-6364. Issue examined: n l , 1984.

This lovely magazine presents condensed ver- sions of various articles from the two-part journal, Die Weinwirtschaft. Issues average about 40 pages, many in color. While most of its articles are written for wine consumers, it would be useful for the trade as well, since it provides detailed news on wine vin- tages and harvest levels. It also features wine travel articles and would be of great help to anyone visiting German grape-growing regions. This is the leading magazine dealing with German wines that is written in English.

Weinfreund. M. $8.85 (domestic). Postfach 701163, 8000 Munchen 70. Ed.: Rudolf Knoll. ISSN 0175- 8063. Issue examined: n2, April 1985.

This is a popular, important magazine for con- sumers of German wine. It is well-illustrated with maps and numerous color photographs. The lan- guage of its articles ranges from popular to quite technical in tone. German wines are emphasized. The magazine is a rich source of tourist information on European wine regions. It also has frequent articles on the relationship between food and wine.

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Book reviews are included from time to time. This would rank high on the list of possible choices of German-language magazines about wine.

Die Weinwirtschaft. Markt. 1864-. 48/yr. $100 (foreign). Deutscher Weinwirtschaftsverlag, Maxi- milianstrasse 7-17, D-6730 Neustadt. Ed.: Rudolf Knoll. Circ.: 8,500. Indexed: World Agricultural Economies and Rural Sociology Abstracts; Food Science and Technology Abstracts. LC 83-644950. ISSN 0723-1350.

This is the oldest, most important German wine trade magazine. It is similar in most respects to Wines and Vines, the leading American trade journal. It includes information on wine-related events, news of the German trade, news of the foreign wine trade, marketing stories, and interviews with leading figures in the business. It has regular informa- tion on harvests and the pricing of older German wines. Issues run from 30 to 60 pages, many in color. A companion publication, Die Weinwirtschaft. Technik, published monthly, covers only viticultural issues. The price for the companion publication is $44 per year.

Italy

11 Corriere Vinicolo. W. $41.23 (domestic). Sub- scription price includes quarterly supplement, En- otria. L'Unione Italiana Vini, Via S. Vittore al Tea- tro, 3, 20123 Milano. Ed.: Alfredo Nunziante. LC 47-41747. Issue examined: anno 57, n17, 23 April 1984.

A weekly newspaper, this publication features news articles about the wine trade in Italy and Europe. The review issue includes information pertaining to wine law, as well as export statistics, European Economic Community trade statistics, and market quotations. This publication is unique in its coverage of the economics of wine production and sale. The quarterly supplement, Enotria, features information on special topics, such as Italian vintages or sparkling wines. The text in the supplement is occasionally in English. Enotria is illustrated with color photographs.

11 Gallo Nero. Bi-M. $5.15. Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico, 146 Via de' Serragli, 50124 Firenze. Ed.: L. Franciosi. Circ.: 5,000. Issue examined: March/ April 1984.

A promotional publication for the Chianti Clas- sico region, this magazine reprints tasting notes and other complimentary articles. Color photo illustra- tions accompany the text. It is published in English and Italian.

Italian Wines and Spirits. Q. $15 (U.S. and Canada). Editoriale Lariana, Via Giacinto Gallina 8, 20129

Milan. U.S.A. Italian Wines and Spirits, PO Box 1130, Long Island City, NY 11101. Ed.: Pino Khail. Circ.: 55,000. LC sn84-12680. Issue examined: v8, n2, April/June 1984.

This publication is billed as the "International edition" of Civilta del bere, the "Italian monthly magazine in defense of quality." It is published by the same company and is written in English. A good publication for consumers, this magazine discusses Italian wine-producing regions, types of Italian wines, the use of Italian wines in cooking, and how wines fit into the international market. It is very informative and well-written. Consumers will ap- preciate the maps and other illustrative materials. While promotional in tone, this is still a reasonable ac- quisition for wine magazine collections. It is the best Italian wine magazine for North American readers.

Le Pagine del Vino. Q. $30 (surface mail, U.S.); $45 (airmail). 2 R Edizioni, Via Plana 50, 27058 Voghera (Pavia). Ed.: Adriano Ravegnani. Circ.: 3,000. Issue examined: anno VI, n18, January/ March 1984.

The chief purpose of this trilingual publication (within an issue the text appears in Italian, English, and German) is to provide listings of production by region and winery within Italy. The information given on wines is provided by the wine firms or estates and includes addresses, telephone numbers, and general winery information, as well as production and price information. This magazine is recom- mended only for those libraries desiring Italian wine directories.

I1 Vino. Bi-M. $20.62 (domestic). Associazione Italiana dei Sommeliers, Via Trentacoste 7, 20134 Milan. Ed.: Walter Filiputli. Circ.: 35,000. Issue examined: March/April 1984.

This publication stresses Italian wines and food. It also includes information on wine-producing regions and wine grapes, interviews with prominent Italian winemakers, book reviews, and news of its parent association. It lacks tasting notes and runs about 130 pages per issue. The modest price in- creases this magazine's attractiveness as a purchase for larger libraries.

New Zealand

New Zealand Wineglass. Bi-M? $38 (U.S., Canada, Asia airmail). Wineglass Publishing Ltd., PO Box 9527, Newmarket, Auckland. Ed.: Peter Saunders. ISSN 0111-3801. Issue examined: n38, April/May 1984.

A true consumers' magazine, this is educational, informative, and interesting. Articles on New Zealand wineries, reports of comparative tastings, discussions

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of classic wines and wine-producing regions, book reviews, recipes, and local wine touring information are included in this periodical. New Zealand Wineglass has an excellent tasting notes section. The review is conducted in an unbiased manner: the wines are purchased from local wine shops (insuring general availability and the absence of favoritism), and all reviews of wines are published, with the reviewer's name prominently displayed. Oddly, this magazine incorporated The Collector, so the last part of New Zealand Wineglass is devoted to news about silver collecting and other topics unrelated to wine.

Wine Report. Ron Small Associates, PO Box 39157, Auckland. Ed.: Ron Small. Issue examined: March 1984.

This six-page newsletter folds out to be three pages across. It provides news about New Zealand wines, the results of tasting competitions, response to New Zealand wines throughout the world, and some news of Australian wines. It includes a buying guide to wines available in New Zealand. The buying guide lists winery names and tasting notes but does not give prices or comparative rankings.

South Africa

Wynboer. No. 1- 1931-. M. $7.70 (foreign). KWV (Ko-operatieve wynbouwers vereniging van Zuid-

Africa), PO Box 528, Suider-Paarl. Ed.: Henry Hopkins. LC 47-42871.

Published in English and Afrikaans, this magazine looks at wines from all over the world. Some of the South African wine news is in Afrikaans, as are most advertisments. The magazine has good color photo- graphs. It is recommended for those collections that are intended to cover all geographic areas.

Spain

Bouquet. M. $38 (foreign). Bouquet International, Apartado de Correos 31033, Barcelona. Ed.: Antonio Alvarez Solis. ISSN 0211-1071. Issue examined: n38, January 1985.

This magazine is written for gourmets. It discusses foods and wines from many lands, and the dietary habits of the people in those countries. The photo- graphs and maps are attractive. Articles on wine are interspersed with features on restaurants and articles on food. A list of wines from a particular wine region is presented in each of the issues sampled. Wineries of the featured region are requested to recommend to Bouquet the wine they consider to be the best for its price. Each winery's recommenda- tion is published along with the winery's suggestion of an appropriate accompanying dish. This magazine also includes interviews with wine personalities, and news about wineries and wine-producing regions. The magazine is interesting, with a broad appeal.

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Club de Gourmets. M. $2.04/issue. Club de Gour- mets, Velayos, 4, bajo, 28035 Madrid. Ed.: Francisco Lopez 1D Canis. Issue examined: n104, December 1984.

The most comprehensive and interesting of the Spanish wine magazines, Club de Gourmet also includes information about food, restaurants, and travel in Spain. Numerous detailed articles about Spanish wine-producing regions are included, as are articles on wine personalities. This magazine lacks comparative tasting notes, but devotes many pages per issue to wines and spirits. Its coverage is not limited to Spanish wines and spirits. Its articles are well illustrated, in full color. For libraries looking for a Spanish equivalent of Gourmet, this is a re- commended purchase.

La Semana Vitivinicola. 1945-. W. $46.71 (domestic). La Semana Vitivinicola, Apartado Correos 642, 465005 Valencia. Ed.: Salvador Estela Alfonso. ISSN 0037-184X.

This magazine presents a broad spectrum of information on the Spanish wine trade, including articles on viticulture, news about Spanish laws pertaining to wine, detailed market statistics, and export market information. Primarily a trade pub- lication, this magazine will not win awards for lay- out.

Switzerland

Sehweizerische Weinzeitung = Journal Vinicole Suisse. Bi-W. $36.50 (foreign). Federation Suisse des Negociants en Vines et Federation Suisse du Commerce des Spiritueux, Edenstrasse 20, Case Postale 229, 8021 Zurich. Ed.: Othmar Staheli. Issue examined: v93, n12, June 1985.

This Swiss trade journal gives marketing reports, political status reports, current information about wine-related events, and descriptions of winemaking techniques. It is recommended for collections in- tended to include trade publications from all geo- graphic regions.

Vinum. 1979-. 10/yr. $32.63 (foreign). Vinum- Verlags AG, Klosbachstrasse 148, Postfach, 8030 Zurich. Ed.: Andreas Keller. Circ.: 16,000.

Vinum is an important magazine of immense beauty. Packed with detailed wine-tasting notes on European wines, it also includes useful travel and viticultural articles of great reliability. The magazine often reviews important new wine books written in French, German, and English. All articles are written in German. Maps and full-color illustrations are com- mon. Vinum is very highly recommended as a re-

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presentative of wine magazines from Switzerland.

United Kingdom

Decanter. M. $38 (foreign). Decanter Magazine, St. John's Chambers, 2-10 St. John's Rd., London SW 11 1PN. Ed.: Colin Parnell. ISSN 0141-6014. Issue examined: v9, n5 , January 1984.

Considered by many to be the best wine magazine in the world, this is certainly the most important British periodical on wine. The writing is witty, controversial, and always authoritative, with the world's most influential writers appearing regularly. Decanter's feature articles on wine regions and estates are highly reliable. Its issues include detailed price information and tasting notes, with a strong emphasis on wines from Europe. The magazine averages 90 pages per issue, many in full color. This is a highly recommended purchase.

What Wine. 1984-. M. $54.61 (foreign). Haymarket Publishing Ltd., 55 Heath Rd., Twickenham, Middle- sex TW1 4AW. Ed.: Robert Joseph.

This new publication has quickly become a superlative European publication on wine. The writing style is popular but very reliable. Most ar- ticles are well illustrated in full color, with numerous maps. Most issues include dozens of detailed tasting notes, as well as occasional articles on food, res- taurants in the United Kingdom, and wine tourism. Most of the authors are well known and highly respected. Issues run to nearly 100 pages. This magazine has a strong consumer orientation, though its emphasis on British suppliers may limit its use in North America.

United States

American Wine Society Journal. 1967?-. Q. $20 (membership). American Wine Society, 3006 Latta Rd., Rochester, NY 14612. Ed.: Elizabeth Lincoln. LC 76-647900. ISSN 0364-698X.

This is a magazine for consumers that features articles on grape varieties that are native to North America and common to the eastern United States. Articles cover such topics as grape varieties, fermenta- tion, and winemaking. It also includes book reviews, historical glimpses of wineries, recipes, and listings of wine promotional events. It is a recommended purchase for collections focusing on wines produced in the United States.

California Grapevine. 1974-. Bi-M. $18. California Grapevine, PO Box 22152, San Diego, CA 92122. Ed.: Nicholas Ponomareff. ISSN 0273-8961.

This newsletter, which averages 16 pages per issue, occasionally publishes book reviews and fea- ture articles on winemakers and types of wine. It

is respected as a source of very reliable tasting notes on hundreds of newly released wines. There have been few changes in the membership of its tasting panel, which makes it a good source of information on the tastes of wines reviewed in earlier years. It primarily covers California wines.

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine. M. $35. Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine, PO Box 11120, San Francisco, CA 94101. Ed.: Charles Olken. ISSN 0161-6668. Issue examined: v8, n4, May/June 1984.

This is a respected, widely-read newsletter, strictly devoted to rating new releases of Californian wine (and occasional wines of the Pacific North- west). Its rating system (using zero to three stars) is widely seen in wine stores. No other newsletter covers California releases as comprehensively. This magazine is highly regarded by wise wine buyers.

Food and Wine. M. $16. International Review of Food & Wine Associates, PO Box 3004, Harlan, IA 51537. Ed.: William Rice. Circ.: 400,000. In- dexed: Reeipei Periodical Index. LC 83-647780. ISSN 0741-9015. Issue examined: v6, n6.

Humbly subtitled "A guide to good taste," this magazine addresses culinary interests. It includes restaurant reviews, travel tips, wine features, cooking lessons, and recipes. A nice feature is the menu/ recipe index. While it is not an essential inclusion for collections of wine magazines, Food and Wine is a popular magazine, reasonably priced. It is recom- mended for public libraries.

Friends o f Wine. 1964-. Bi-M. $18. Les Amis du Vin, 2302 Perkins Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Ed.: Ron Fonte. Circ.: 80,000. Indexed: Consumers Index to Product Evaluations and Information Sources. LC 76-646975. ISSN 0364-9474.

One of the most widely-read wine journals, this beautifully illustrated publication promotes wine consumerism through education. Articles on viticulture abound and are written in a clear, straight- forward style. Comparative, "blind" tastings (based on unmarked samplings) are reported, with panelists' notes and recommendations to assist consumer selections. This is a very good choice for libraries.

Northwest Wine Almanac. 7/year. $7.50. First Noel Publishing Co., PO Box 85595, Seattle, WA 98145- 1595. Ed.: Noel V. Bourasaw. Issue examined: vl , n3, May 1984.

This tabloid sports the subtitle "Traveler's Guide to Wine and Food in the Pacific Northwest" and is unique in that it is the only publication dedicated to covering this region's wine industry. Industry news, a listing of events related to wine and food, wine touring facts, and directory information are

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typically found in the magazine, which averages 12 pages per issue. While the magazine gives heavy emphasis to Washington, Idaho and Oregon are not ignored. This magazine is of regional interest.

Oregon Wine Review. 1983-. Q. $10. Oregon Wine Review, PO Box 10001, Portland, OR 97210-0001. Ed.: Cameron D. Nagel. LC sn83-319. ISSN 0736- 8496. Issue examined: vl , n l , March/April 1983.

This publication will be most appreciated by consumers who share the editor's enthusiasm for Oregon wines. Each issue features one type of grape, giving the consumer information about the grape and extensive tasting notes on Oregon winery pro- ducts made from this grape. A different Oregon winery is featured each quarter, and an interview with the winemakers is presented. Columns that select foods to accompany the featured wine are interesting and well-presented. Although narrow in scope, this publication is recommended for its re- gional interest and as an exemplary wine publication.

Robert Finigan's Guide to Wine. 1978-. Irreg. $36. Specialty Publications, 724 Pine St., San Francisco, CA 94108. Ed.: Robert Finigan.

This newsletter of wine tastings is solely the work of Robert Finigan, a frequent judge at important wine events who is highly respected in international wine circles. Finigan's knowledge of Europe and its wines is legendary. He has had great influence on the development of wine in the U.S., especially in the Pacific Northwest. His newsletter has been published irregularly of late and is neither as up-to-date nor as influential as it once was. Finigan's loyal readers hope for a revival.

Robert Lawrence Balzar's Private Guide to Food and Wine. 1973-. M. $25. Wine Press, 12791 Newport Ave., Tustin, CA 92680. Ed.: Robert Balzar.

This newsletter of wine tastings also provides consumers with useful information on winemaking, wineries, and wine personalities, along with guidance on good West Coast restaurants and a smattering of recipes. It primarily covers California wine, but also includes occasional stories and tasting notes on foreign wines. While this reviewer does not consider it a purchase of high priority, Balzar's has a faithful following.

Underground Wineletter. 1979-. M. $40. Under- ground Wine Enterprises, PO Box 3700, Seal Beach. CA 90740. Ed.: John Tilson. ISSN 0279-6880.

An attractive, reliable newsletter of tasting notes, this periodical selectively covers newly released wines from California, France, and Germany in a critical and irreverent style. Wines are rated using both a numbering system and by category (above average, good, and so on); some wines are listed

in a useful "best buy" section. The emphasis is on wine distributed chiefly on the West Coast.

Vintage. 1982-. Irreg. $35. Vintage Magazine, PO Box 2224, New York, NY 10163. Ed.: Philip Seldon. Indexed: Consumers Index to Product Evaluations and Information Sources. LC 74-641789. ISSN 0049-6456.

A once-important magazine that has shrunk in both size and influence in recent years, Vintage now consists mostly of detailed tasting notes and various lists. Several important writers are maintained on the editorial staff but their work does not appear often. The magazine has initiated a controversial policy linking evaluations of wines to advertising appearing within the publication.

Wine Advocate. 1981-. Bi-M. $25. Wine Advocate, 1002 Hillside View, Parkton, MD 21120. Ed.: Robert Parker.

In just five yeais, this has become the most influential and controversial newsletter of wine tasting notes in the United States. All tasting notes are written by Parker, who also has occasional wine columns in various newspapers and magazines. This newsletter reviews wines from all over the world. Special attention is focused on French wines. The newsletter's "best buys" and "odds and ends" sec- tions are highly informative. Receiving a high ranking from this newsletter means instant sales success for a wine, even from a little-known producer. No serious wine consumer can do without this news- letter.

Wine and Spirits Buying Guide. 1982-. Bi-M. $9.95. Winestate Publications, 1000 University Ave., Ber- keley, CA 94710. Ed.: Peter Simic. LC sn84-46. ISSN 0748-6065.

While this magazine frequently contains some general articles on wine and wine-producing regions, the bulk of each issue contains the detailed results of "blind" tastings of dozens of domestic and im- ported wines. The tasters are unnamed but are "from the wine industry." A useful feature is that, in most issues, a well-written article about a wine-producing region is followed with an extensive listing of tasting notes on wines from that area, done by a named tasting p a n e l . Attractively priced, the magazine would be useful to readers only if they found that they could regularly agree with the tasters. Since the tasters change frequently, consistency in the wine evaluations may be uncommon.

Wine Country. 1981-. M. $19. Wine Country, 4235 Park Rd., Suite 4, Benicia, CA 94510. Ed.: P. Shirley Ray. Circ.: 40,000. ISSN 0278-047X.

This magazine's subtitle indicates that it is de- voted to wine, food, travel, and fine living. It covers

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Page 10: Fruit of the vine: World wine magazines

all those areas well, in a format that is among the loveliest of all American wine periodicals. The issues average about 65 pages in length and are packed with color photographs, occasional maps, and lots of wine touring information. Coverage of articles on food is stressed in this magazine, which does a fine job linking food with wine. There are numerous articles dealing with individual grape varieties, wineries, and wine regions, including some in foreign countries. Wine touring is given more space than is typical in wine magazines. While this magazine is worth its price, it is not this reviewer's first choice among the wine publications.

Wine East. 1973-. Bi-M. $10. L & H Photojournalism, 620 N. Pine St., Lancaster, PA 17603. Ed.: Hudson Cattell.

This magazine covers only grapes and wines of the eastern United States. It includes climatic and price reports, histories of vineyards and the people involved in them, competition information, and tasting notes. This publication is nicely illustrated and provides information about a growing regional wine industry.

Wine Spectator. 1975-. Bi-W. $30. M. Shanken Publications, 400 E. 51st St., New York, NY 10022. Ed.: Marvin Shanken. Circ.: 20,000. ISSN 0279- 6880.

Required reading in the wine trade and for consumers, this densely-packed newspaper is the first place to learn of industry gossip. It is most valuable for its coverage of industry news and de- velopments. It also features wine tasting notes and the writing of several reliable columnists. The issues average 40 pages on newsprint and include lots of

photographs, some in color. The newspaper's Euro- pean bureau provides consistently reliable, up-to- date reporting from France and Germany. This newspaper is widely held by libraries, and for good reason. It is well worth its price.

Wine West. Bi-M. $12. Wine West, PO Box 498, Geyserville, CA 95441. Ed.: Mildred Howie. Circ.: 4,300. ISSN 0745-5142. Issue examined: v40, 1985.

This slim magazine, which incorporated Redwood Rancher]Wine Grower a few years ago, is an odd but interesting mix of articles on wine history, grape growing, and winemakers and their wineries. It also has regular, interesting articles on the wine trade and includes tasting notes from time to time. The winery articles are probably its best feature, but due to the magazine's very broad scope it is unclear to whom this magazine would most appeal.

Wines and Vines. 1935-. M. $25. Hiaring Company, 1800 Lincoln Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901. Ed.: Peter Hiaring. Circ.: 5,500. Indexed: Bibl. Agri.; Chem. Abstr. LC sn80-13554. ISSN 0043-583X.

This is an important, widely-read trade magazine, written chiefly for winemakers but also of interest t6~wine consumers. It is the chief source of statistical information about the wine industry in the United States, and includes special annual features on imports, champagne, brandy, and grape growing. No tasting notes appear and little travel information is included, but this magazine is a rich source of information on "who is doing what" in the industry. Most of its articles are not very technical, and all are reliable. This magazine is highly recommended.

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14 SERIALS REVIEW FALL 1985