On Tuscany - by Susan Keevil (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

- A multi-layered look at this essential wine, beautifully designed to bring the region to life on the page.

- Contributions from top Tuscany writers: Andrew Jefford, Hugh Johnson, Nicolas Belfrage MW, Jancis Robinson MW, David Gleave MW, Walter Speller, Gabriele Gorelli MW, Burton Anderson, Ruth Rogers, Neil Beckett, Victoria Moore, Gerald Asher, D H Lawrence, Fiona Morrison MW

- The fascinating history and Tuscany's place in the world today, and its aspirations for the future

- Full of stories about the innovators and characters

- Next in the series after On Burgundy, one of 2023's wine books of the year

From the melée and muddle of Italy's vinous past, Tuscany emerged triumphant. The world's restaurants began to clamor for its Chianti and the Super Tuscan rebel-wines that captured the hearts, palates and pockets of any wine lover who sipped them. It found fame and fortune but had it gone too far...? On Tuscany's authors unravel the truths of this enchanted vineyard - its tortured landscape of clashing mountains and upended seas, its mysterious Etruscan forebears, the Medici aristocrats and warring tribes who fought to control it. And the stoic peasants, whose thwarted creativity and intuitive ways with wine won through in the end. It tells the story of its king of grapes, Sangiovese, and the courtiers that grapple for its throne, and of the maverick winemakers who harness this region's passion for wine today, steadying the roller coaster before it once again goes too far and too fast... With contributions from Andrew Jefford, Hugh Johnson, Nicolas Belfrage MW, Jancis Robinson MW, David Gleave MW, Walter Speller, Gabriele Gorelli MW, Burton Anderson, Ruth Rogers, Neil Beckett, Victoria Moore, Gerald Asher, D H Lawrence, Fiona Morrison MW.

Review Quotes

"...will satisfy every lover of this famous wine region. Essays by diverse writers include everything from a wonderful profile of opinionated Brunello producer Gianfranco Soldera and his feuds to a succession tale that charts the trials of guiding a wine dynasty through murder plots and merlot." -Bloomberg

The accumulated effect is thoughtful and intriguing, inspiring readers to open up a Chianti Classico or Brunello and take a trip to Tuscany via wine glasses. -Eric Asimov, The New York Times

"This beautiful, kaleidoscopic collection of essays on the much-loved (and at times misunderstood) Italian region, is the fifth of the Académie du Vin's region-themed anthologies. A though-provoking journey by the hands of Hugh Jonhson, DH Lawrence, David Gleave MW and many more." -Ines Salpico, Decanter

About the Author

Susan Keevil started her life in wine as a 'cellar rat' cooling Chardonnays in Australia's Hunter Valley, none of which prepared her for the world of book publishing back in the UK where she honed her wine knowledge working with Hugh Johnson on six editions of his international best-seller, the Pocket Wine Book. Susan then landed her dream job as editor of Decanter magazine (the path to many worldwide wine adventures) and later became author of the Which? Guide to Wine as well as a regular magazine columnist and contributor. The launch of the Académie du Vin Library in 2019 saw a return to specialist wine books for which Susan is a writer and editor-in-chief.