Wines of South America

Harvest veteran and wine writer Waldin (Organic Wine Guide) offers this comprehensive look at an emerging wine-producing region. With extensive chapters on Argentina and Chile (which boasts five""official"" vine-growing regions), plus entries on Uruguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Paraguay and Venezuela, this volume provides an in-depth introduction to the prominent vintages from locales throughout the South American continent. It also includes a well-researched discussion of various regions' climate, growing conditions, regulations and notable producers; sidebars offer easily digestible tidbits about each country and region. About Argentina, for example, readers learn that""political isolation and a thriving domestic wine market kept her wines hidden until recently."" In Uruguay,""wineries are generally small-scale, family owned operations; and most are owned and run by third and fourth generation European immigrants."" Lush and interesting photographs by Lowe, as well as detailed maps, enhance and inform this book, a worthwhile read for wine lovers ready to explore beyond France, California and Italy.