First look: The Latest World Atlas of Wine

We certainly enjoyed attending Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson’s World Atlas of Wine book launch earlier this week, and tasting some of the more obscure and wonderful wines featured in this edition. Alongside our go-to English Sparkling Wine Gusbourne Brut 2015 were some newcomers for us, notably Château Mercian Mariko Merlot from Japan and the Indian Fratelli Sette 2015. 

We can see why it took Jancis, Hugh and a diligent team of wine experts two years to pull this latest edition together. The result is the most thorough, comprehensive (and lengthiest!) edition yet. Not only does it feature 20 new maps but they are now 3D, meaning it's easier to grasp the elevation, wind and general geography of the wine growing area. 

Jancis and Hugh talk about how dramatically the wine world has evolved over the past several years as a result of biodiversity and climate change, wine awareness (partly due to social media) and the need to be more sustainable.

As well as going into more detail on the above within the dedicated regional chapters, Jancis and Hugh talk us through the basics such as terroir, tasting wine and choosing the right glass.

Long gone are the days of buying different glasses for different grape varieties or styles. According to Jancis, “One generous-sized, bulbous, clear, and reasonably thin-walled glass can show off all table wines well” You can buy a pair of these here!

The Atlas is available to pre-order now and is in shops from the 3rd October.

But really you shouldn’t just settle for the book- we're thrilled to have a signed copy to give away, as well as a pair of our Jancis Robinson wine glasses. Click here to enter our competition. Good Luck !

Tasting Notes:

 W Gusbourne Brut Reserve 2015 Kent, England 

A blend of 53% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 7% Pinot Meunier grown on Gusbourne's own vineyards in Kent on clay-sand soils six miles from the coast with some maritime influence. Aged for at least three years on the lees.

Château Mercian Mariko Merlot 2015 Nagano, Japan

On stony clay at 650m in Maruko district, Nagano, north west of Tokyo. 18 months in oak (50% new). 12.5%

Fratelli Sette 2015 Maharashtra, India

The only Verdelho in Thailand, planted nine years ago on red clay with shale and limestone at 350m 1,400 mm annual rainfall. Unoaked.