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The Wandering Vine: Wine, the Romans and Me
"I could and would forgo any other liquid forever as long as I might drink one humble wine with my daily bread." MFK Fisher
We are a nation of wine lovers and wine drinkers. But how much do we know about the wine we drink, how it got here, and where it came from? What are the stories behind each glass of Bordeaux, Rioja, or Gewurztraminer that we find ourselves quaffing happily in the country's wine bars?
Nina Caplan, award-winning wine and travel writer, goes in search of the founding myths of our oenophilic civilization. Her journey takes her from a very personal case of her father's champagne arriving at her doorstep in 2003, through Northern France, Champagne, the Rhone, into Northern Spain, Andalucia and on into Sicily, and finally to Rome where it all began- when the Romans cultivated the first vines, eventually brought to England by their Celtic adversaries, the Gauls.
Following the Roman Empire she sets out from England to Burgundy, home of the Aedui tribe; on to the French medieval monasteries where the monks' need for wine for the Eucharist led to a profound knowledge of viticulture; through Avignon, home for many years to wine-loving popes in exile; Bordeaux, where English tastes were fed by French vines; Barcelona and Granada where one of the oldest parts of the Alhambra still contains the Puerta del Vino or "Wine Gate." Finally Nina arrives in Rome, seat of wine-loving Emperors and birthplace of an Empire that conquered half the known world.
A heady blend of history, culture, food, and drink, this is narrative travel writing at its absolute best.
"
We are a nation of wine lovers and wine drinkers. But how much do we know about the wine we drink, how it got here, and where it came from? What are the stories behind each glass of Bordeaux, Rioja, or Gewurztraminer that we find ourselves quaffing happily in the country's wine bars?
Nina Caplan, award-winning wine and travel writer, goes in search of the founding myths of our oenophilic civilization. Her journey takes her from a very personal case of her father's champagne arriving at her doorstep in 2003, through Northern France, Champagne, the Rhone, into Northern Spain, Andalucia and on into Sicily, and finally to Rome where it all began- when the Romans cultivated the first vines, eventually brought to England by their Celtic adversaries, the Gauls.
Following the Roman Empire she sets out from England to Burgundy, home of the Aedui tribe; on to the French medieval monasteries where the monks' need for wine for the Eucharist led to a profound knowledge of viticulture; through Avignon, home for many years to wine-loving popes in exile; Bordeaux, where English tastes were fed by French vines; Barcelona and Granada where one of the oldest parts of the Alhambra still contains the Puerta del Vino or "Wine Gate." Finally Nina arrives in Rome, seat of wine-loving Emperors and birthplace of an Empire that conquered half the known world.
A heady blend of history, culture, food, and drink, this is narrative travel writing at its absolute best.
"
352 pages, Hardcover
Published May 8, 2018
15 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 18, 2018
This is a book that starts as it means to go on. Nina throws us straight into a glass of Champagne; the bubbles, the flavours and the memories it evokes, in short, the full experience and I couldn’t wait to carry on reading.
From the south of England to Champagne, Burgundy, the Rhone, Catalonia, Andalusia, Sicily, Campania and Rome, this book criss-crosses the paths taken by Romans, Jews, wine makers and tourists. It is both an historical journey and a personal one too, looking at her family's migration alongside the roots of wine, as well as the importance of knowledge passed from generation to generation.
I find a quick beer after a bike ride is thirst quenching, refreshing and light. It slips down quickly and is over all too soon. This book is not a beer. This book is a fine red wine, probably from Burgundy with added César grapes (something I learned from within its pages). It is full bodied, has structure and many layers of flavours. It deserves to be opened at just the right moment when you know you have the time to fully absorb all it has to offer; its careful blend of history, geography, migration and customs.
Nina’s knowledge is vast, her delivery is engaging, and she would be a perfect wine tasting partner. I learned a lot, even if as a reviewer reading to deadlines, I sadly felt rushed; gulping down rather than savouring each chapter, behaviour any wine connoisseur would shudder at. I will reopen this book, a luxury you do not get with a bottle of wine, and next time I’ll take my time.
This book fuelled my passion for reading, writing and wine and will appeal to those with an interest in European history, wine lovers and memoir readers too.
From the south of England to Champagne, Burgundy, the Rhone, Catalonia, Andalusia, Sicily, Campania and Rome, this book criss-crosses the paths taken by Romans, Jews, wine makers and tourists. It is both an historical journey and a personal one too, looking at her family's migration alongside the roots of wine, as well as the importance of knowledge passed from generation to generation.
I find a quick beer after a bike ride is thirst quenching, refreshing and light. It slips down quickly and is over all too soon. This book is not a beer. This book is a fine red wine, probably from Burgundy with added César grapes (something I learned from within its pages). It is full bodied, has structure and many layers of flavours. It deserves to be opened at just the right moment when you know you have the time to fully absorb all it has to offer; its careful blend of history, geography, migration and customs.
Nina’s knowledge is vast, her delivery is engaging, and she would be a perfect wine tasting partner. I learned a lot, even if as a reviewer reading to deadlines, I sadly felt rushed; gulping down rather than savouring each chapter, behaviour any wine connoisseur would shudder at. I will reopen this book, a luxury you do not get with a bottle of wine, and next time I’ll take my time.
This book fuelled my passion for reading, writing and wine and will appeal to those with an interest in European history, wine lovers and memoir readers too.
September 23, 2023
A road trip + memoir + philosophical and historical essays + some rivers of excellent wines.
A very compelling read.
A very compelling read.
July 10, 2018
Quite unsure what to make of it really. Seems rather self-indulgent, tho art often is. Certainly weaves together the author's stated intent of "wine, romans, me" sprinkled with frequent reminders of her faith.
Still, took me to where I haven't been - for that I'm grateful.
Still, took me to where I haven't been - for that I'm grateful.
December 29, 2019
This one was disappointing - well written in regards to prose, but clunky overall due to uneven narrative flow, and while the book purports to be part history, part memoir, most of the context provided for the history of wine (and migration thereof) amount to little more than secondary anecdotes provided from the likes of Pliny, Aristotle, and Virgil.
The book could also have benefited from a more personal approach - while the author discusses the death of her father at length, and his influence on her tastes as an adult, she never goes into enough detail to allow the reader to know her better. While her descriptions of the wines she encounters through her travels are undoubtedly exquisite, this was a fantastic premise let down by poor structure.
The book could also have benefited from a more personal approach - while the author discusses the death of her father at length, and his influence on her tastes as an adult, she never goes into enough detail to allow the reader to know her better. While her descriptions of the wines she encounters through her travels are undoubtedly exquisite, this was a fantastic premise let down by poor structure.
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June 28, 2019The introduction to this book is engrossing and paints a magical picture of wine and the stories enshrined within each bottle. After that, the book reads like some daytime TV dross like Homes Under the Hammer, Sewing Adventures, The Secret Life of Meadows and Hillocks, Gullwatch, Nosy Neighbours Staring Out Their Windows, Marvellous Pets, Britain's Coastline, Welsh Geology Hour, Copse Explorers, A Ramble Through the Spinneys, Zimmer Frame Review, A Day in the Life: GP Receptionist, Lumber Search, blah blah blah yawn yawn yawn, DNF at about 50 pages
June 16, 2023
At times I found her writing style hard to get accustomed to, with having to re-read certain pages over again. However, it was an enjoyable experience once you get used to her turns of phrase and how the wine tasting story is interwoven with the history of each location she goes to.
The writing was good and I learned a lot about the history of winemaking in Europe, I particularly enjoyed the Jewish history which is often left out of the main story.
The writing was good and I learned a lot about the history of winemaking in Europe, I particularly enjoyed the Jewish history which is often left out of the main story.
February 28, 2019
An interesting wander through wine and European vineyards, with a sprinkling of.history and the author's quest to find traces of.her faith's history. A bit meandering, somewhat unstructured in its observations, and occasionally the train of thought left me a bit sceptical. Overall fairly enjoyable, although you need to really love reading 'I tasted his/her wine - it was colour, flavour'.
November 4, 2024
Either a wine-focussed travel book or a travel-focussed wine book. It doesn't matter at all I suppose. It was very enjoyable, and made me want to travel, drink wine, and ideally combine the two. Also one of those books that just made me more interested in the worl around me - even the non-travel, non-wine bits, so thank you Nina Caplan for that.
August 17, 2018
I thought this one might be of interest as a history of wine, it is and isn't. The book rambles along and ended up skimming quite a bit. I am sure someone who enjoys wine will likely enjoy this book more than I did.
September 15, 2023
So much unfulfilled potential in the memoir aspect of this book, too much history for my liking, and bit too little travel description to go with the very well-described and introduced wine makers.
December 14, 2024
An entertaining and educational meandering through the history of wine in Europe... the author is very knowledgeable, and I enjoyed this book.
April 19, 2018
" Wine is alive, ageing and changing, but it's also a triumph over death. These grapes should rot. Instead they ferment. What better magic potion could there be to convey us to the past?"
The author explores the history of wine by going to places of historical importance which might have influenced the production of wine. The author co-relates the Romans with the increase in wine production and culture.
I really liked this book as it's one of it's kind,i.e, the style of writing is unique(Bembo), the tracing of history is something I haven't read anywhere else. I am a food and book lover and for me this book was a union of both the things I love.
If you don't like reading historical fictions or you are not a lover of wine then maybe you won't like this book, but I on the other hand really liked this book even though I am not a wine lover.
More than anything this book has increased my knowledge of Romans and wine, not only this my vocabulary has also increased as this book has some tough words.I would definitely recommend this book to wine and history lovers. Whenever I'll drink wine, I will keep thinking about it's origin.
My Blog- https://notskylimit.blogspot.in/
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/booknbhook/
The author explores the history of wine by going to places of historical importance which might have influenced the production of wine. The author co-relates the Romans with the increase in wine production and culture.
I really liked this book as it's one of it's kind,i.e, the style of writing is unique(Bembo), the tracing of history is something I haven't read anywhere else. I am a food and book lover and for me this book was a union of both the things I love.
If you don't like reading historical fictions or you are not a lover of wine then maybe you won't like this book, but I on the other hand really liked this book even though I am not a wine lover.
More than anything this book has increased my knowledge of Romans and wine, not only this my vocabulary has also increased as this book has some tough words.I would definitely recommend this book to wine and history lovers. Whenever I'll drink wine, I will keep thinking about it's origin.
My Blog- https://notskylimit.blogspot.in/
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/booknbhook/
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews