Puligny-Montrachet: Journal of a Village in Burgundy

by Simon Loftus

‘Not just one of the best books on wine, it’s one of the best books on France.’ Michael Palin

The sleepy village of Puligny-Montrachet produces the greatest white wines in Burgundy, famous throughout the world, but the place itself is unknown to outsiders. The lives of its inhabitants are shaped by the rhythms of the agricultural year, punctuated by the intense activity of the harvest, when the noise of tractors echoes down the narrow streets as the grapes are carried to the cellars.

This vivid and evocative journal of everyday life in rural France takes us through the cycle of the seasons, from the bonfires of the winter prunings to the celebrations of the feast of St Vincent. We meet the butcher, the baker, the mayor and, of course, the vignerons, from small growers cultivating a few rows of wines to the owners of the best Domaines.

Combining a history of the village with a detailed study of the vines, this is a fascinating snapshot of a way of life that is disappearing.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Wine

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2019

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating, in-depth look at the French village of Puligny-Montrachet. If you have ever been mystified by Burgundy and its origins, history and background (Burgundy the wine) this book will definitely fill in all of the blanks. One of the most famous villages/communes in France, where some of the best wines of the world come from, there is a fascinating history attached about this great wine region and this book actually details it in a way I have not read about before.

[Jens Vanbrabant · Rating 3 out of 5]

So glad to be the first one to review this brilliant little book on GR!
Daunt Books did well to republish it- it is a gem and despite its age it reads as if it was written just now.
Starts off a bit slow but gets better and better, by the time you reach the end you will feel like a true connoisseur of the appellation!

[Rox · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Too much of a slog.

[Lisa Shuttleworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book before holidaying in France and tho I would never have chosen it , it was a pleasant read . Evoking the sense and sound of something I’ve never experienced - grape picking in Burgundy.

[Chris Wilcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating insight into a famous wine village in Burgundy. Full of information and bringing to life the names behind some famous wines/domaines.

[James Foord · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful snapshot of a unique place

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better wine books focusing on a particular region, in this case, a region that produces some of the most coveted Chardonnays. Explores the region from many aspects: the geography, geology, history, wines, winery owners, townspeople, etc. Although it makes the book seem a bit disjointed, the picture it paints seems very complete.

[Anders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok book about Puligny Montrachet. But too detailed on irrelevant topics. Good description about the different areas/qualities but the description of all the individual persons was a little too much