Stephen Brook: The Wines of Austria - reviewed

The decision to launch a new series of books about wine in 2016 is a brave one, but that's just what publisher Infinite Ideas has done. The first nine titles in “The Classic Wine Library” are now available, including two written by series editor Richard Mayson, and the title under discussion here: Stephen Brook's “The Wines of Austria”.

For longtime Austrophiles like myself, this book was eagerly anticipated. Living in Eisenstadt, the heart of Burgenland, I was aware of multiple visitations by Le Brook as he completed his research – for Brook is clearly passionate about Austria. In his introduction he notes that “This book is not the outcome of a few trips [...] in recent years, but reflects visits spanning almost 40 years”. What a shame that his passion is so poorly communicated in this dry, dusty tome, which seems unable to figure out if it wants to be a non-fiction book or an academic reference work.

The issues are apparent even from the format. There are a mere 8 colour plates out o…