Notes on a Cellar-Book

by George Saintsbury

Since its first publication in 1920, George Saintsbury's classic Notes on a Cellar-Book has remained one of the greatest tributes to drink and drinking in the literature of wine. A collection of tasting notes, menus, and robust opinions, the work is filled with anecdotes and recollections of wines and spirits consumed--from the heights of Romanée-Conti to the simple pleasures of beer, flip, and mum. Thomas Pinney brings this unique work alive for contemporary audiences by providing the keys to a full understanding of Notes on a Cellar-Book in a new edition that includes explanatory endnotes, an essay on the book's legacy, and additional articles on wine by Saintsbury.

Genres: Wine, Nonfiction

166 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1920

About the author

George Edward Bateman Saintsbury was an English scholar, writer, literary historian and critic.

Reviews

[Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was brought to Saintsbury's classic wine book from Steven Shapin's article "The Tastes of Wine". Having this article in hand makes Saintsbury's book a more engaging reading experience than reported by some of the reviewers here. Saintsbury does not give detailed tasting notes of the heralded vintages he experienced; rather he discusses the various kinds of wines and spirits in his cellars in relation to his memories and experiences including plenty of literary allusions. What is valuable about the book is its evidence of how drinkers thought about wine and spirits and how they consumed them with food a century ago, and how these customs changed from the Victorian era into the 1920s. This edition's editor did a heroic job of adding annotations and notes to explain Saintsbury's various allusions, and without them the text would be virtually unreadable. But with the notes, I found it gave it an enjoyable experience of the tapestry of Saintsbury's knowledge and era. Hence, it's not for everyone, but will certainly delight the wine nut with a historical bent.

[Paul W · Rating 1 out of 5]

While at one point Professor Sainsbury's reminiscences of his wine purchases from 1884 to 1915 may have been in demand, they have struggled to stand the test of time, or perhaps, have 'corked' with age.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Saintsbury obviously had the means to enjoy wines and spirits for a long portion of his life. Cheers to his experience and ability to get this book published.