Clarke's extraordinary wine-tasting talents and eloquence combine in this beautifully illustrated book to produce a resource for every wine lover, whether a newcomer or a longtime aficionado. With his trademark combination of hard facts and breezy practical advice, Clarke outlines what makes each wine work - what it tastes like, why it's different from its neighbors, and most important, whether or not it is worth seeking out. Each chapter covers a different wine-producing region of the world and includes a lively introduction to the region, with useful maps and a full description of grape varieties cultivated and wine styles produced; evocative descriptions of the taste of the region's wines, explanations of how to read the local wine labels, evaluations of recent vintages, and recommendations for enjoying these wines with food; and vintage ratings and tasting notes, along with useful summaries of the value-for-money and availability of specific wine styles.