Oz Clarke Wine A-Z Flexibound – November 17, 2015

I purchase Oz Clarke's book every year, along with  Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2016  book. Each has its strengths. For Clarke he includes detailed well-written descriptions, a lot of vintage information, and provides slightly more coverage than Johnson - especially of individual producers. The vintage information goes much farther back in time and is far more comprehensive than in Johnson's book.Shortcomings are that he doesn't show which vintages are "at peak" and does not have a good section on matching food and wine. Johnson does both these, which is why I get both books.In the past I've given Oz 5 stars. Why now 4? The format of the book is larger - taller and wider. Yet I don't think there is new information and the print size is about the same. It is just more INconvenient on account of the larger size. I also have no clue why they changed the title and removed the year. But it IS the 2016 update!Still worth buying and highly recommended even though the size is less convenient.

Oz is universally respected as a good judge.Everyone has their own preference-mine is for OZ's annual summary,

Very useful book for the novice or even the more knowledgeable wine fan.

What do you get a man that has everything? Yep, you guessed it; this.

Eine optimale Ergänzung zum Kleinen Johnson (nicht unbedingt eine Alternative), ist nicht so detailliert, aber hat teilweise anderen Fokus. Mit Mutterwitz geschrieben! Muss man auch nicht so oft erneuern, da sich außer den Jahrgängen der Text nicht viel ändert. Ich mag ihn sehr!

Can't see this new format having the success of the old successful one. Not nearly as portable and a huge price hike! Hugh Johnson now has a clear field.

preferred the earlier years format