Bordeaux: People, Power and Politics

In chapters such as "Rise of an Empire" and "Power Groups: Who Owns What," Brook offers commentary on the winemaking, winemakers, and wine styles in modern Bordeaux; Bordeaux's economic structure; how producers market their wines; the place of old families and corporations; and much more. Throughout, evocative color photographs depict the locale, while detailed investigations of pertinent families--with family trees included--pinpoint old clans and new, corporate and other owners. Fair-minded and intriguing, the book will add immeasurably to the understanding of the world it so readably evokes. --Arthur Boehm

Product Description
In a unique exploration of Bordeaux's wine trade, Bordeaux: People, Power and Politics gets behind the scenes to discover how the region's wines are produced, marketed and sold. The power of the press, merchants, negociants and consumers over Bordeaux's wine prices, culture and economic health is assessed and explained Bordeaux's key winemakers are featured and their contribution to the evolution of the region's - and the world's - wines is considered. Stephen Brook also reveals which properties are owned by whom, and assesses the impact of key business partnerships and rivalries upon the balance of power, wine styles and wine prices. Colour and black and white photographs help relate the extraordinary story of Bordeaux, and family trees clarify the history and portfolios of the region's most powerful wine families.

This book is not only a look at this wine region and it's wines, but a must read for all who are interested in the power structure of Europe, especially France.