"Echikson's understanding and explanation of how the business works...is fascinating and easy to swallow."—Michael Philips, Wall Street Journal

For wine lovers the world over, Bordeaux is the center of the universe. But in the past two decades, revolutionaries have stormed its traditional bastions, making their mark—and their fortunes—modernizing the production and marketing of wine.

Noble Rot introduces us to the figures who epitomize the changes sweeping Bordeaux—the noble family behind Château d'Yquem; a stonemason turned winemaker whose wine, made in a garage, sells for $100 a bottle; the Maryland-based critic Robert Parker, whose opinion routinely makes or breaks a wine; the New World operations that have used branding to undercut Bordeaux's supremacy—and delves into the mysteries of the legendary classification of 1855. 23 illustrations.

Customer Review: Biased yet engaging read

Revolving and rotating around the issues and people surrounding the great wine producing area of Bordeaux, Echikson's Noble Rot creates a non-linear history seemingly centered on the great Chateau d'Yquem and the vintages clustered around the year 2000. There is a smattering of pre 19th century history throughout the book - but likely because of the book's jumbled narrative, fails to give the reader an adequate idea of why certain peoples and ideas were truly shocking to the region.

Similar to the wine movie Mondovino (Directed by Johnathan Nossiter), Echikson introduces us to characters in the wine making world, in this case Bordeaux, who drive the narrative forward. However, perhaps because of the people he chooses, or simply because of his own bias, Echikson is quick to villify producers who are critical of the 'wine revolution' and lionize those who are decidely pro-american and what winos would call 'modern' winemakers. The bias turns up over and over again, and I was nauseated by his unabashed vindications.

Patriotic, or perhaps taste preferences aside, the book was highly engaging despite the flaws, telling the story of Bordeaux's recent history through a mixture of gossip, biography, and pure academic research. Easy to read by wine-lovers and historians alike, the book's 280 some pages was a perfect, satiating length.

Customer Review: NOT QUITE SO NOBLE

The title 'Noble Rot' is misleading as the term relates to part of the process of making Sauternes, whereas the book covers Bordeaux wine as a whole and even goes outside its borders; what you see is not what you get.

However, William Echikson presents a refreshing viewpoint of a fascinating topic. Whether by stint of his experience he comes up to the standards set by better known authors on the subject, is a matter of conjecture; I take the view that he falls short.

Notwithstanding, the subject of Bordeaux as a city and as a region along with its wines presents magnetic attractions and each author puts a varying and interesting case as he sees it. good value at $17.22 plus shipping.

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