Book Review: The Book of Rose
As its full title is quite a mouthful, The Book of Rosé: The Provençal Vineyard That Revolutionized Rosé By Whispering Angel and Château D’Esclans (a vineyard that failed to woo Chris nearly a decade ago) sounds pretty all-encompassing. However, this is not the case, as the book focuses solely on one vineyard and one family. Author Lindsey Tramuta and photographer Martin Burno spend a large percentage of the book profiling Château d’Esclans, a vineyard dating back to the Gauls and extending across 600 acres in the heart of Provence, France, and they do a splendid job of it. While vineyards have existed on the property for centuries, it was acquired by Sacha Lichine, himself no stranger to wine royalty, in 2006, with the aim of keeping the family tradition alive and creating the highest pedigree of quality rosé wines.
While Lichine’s personal history and his story of getting the winery off the ground are compelling, the real joy of the book can be found in documenting the winemaking process at Château D’Esclans, which goes into rich detail the entire how their rosés are created start to finish. Lichine’s ruminations about the current state of the wine industry are informative and insightful, and the brand portfolio is interesting, if only to learn how the variations in how each rosé in their core lineup is crafted. Burno’s warm-toned photography offers contrast and provides visual relief from the various array of pink hues, delivered courtesy of full-page bottle and glass shots interspersed throughout.
The Book of Rosé does an excellent job fusing historical context, anecdotes, and technical education into an account that is as educational as it is entertaining, offering a mild tinge of escapism into the hills of France, if only for a little while. Of course, in true French quasi-existential fashion, Lichine gets the final word on the final page: “Without passion, there is nothing.” Indeed.
A consistent, reliable truism about publishing house/bespoke bookseller Rizzoli: No matter the subject, there is a high degree of confidence that the reader will receive a book carefully considered from every angle, thoroughly researched, and of a high tactile pedigree. The Book of Rosé is no exception. If there is a rosé aficionado in your life, there’s a good chance you’ll inevitably see this book permanently on display on their coffee table or bar countertop.
240 pages.
A- / $50 [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
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