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Some people dabble in their
interests; others, like the author, completely immerse themselves in
them. Higgins is passionate about wine, an amateur in the original
French sense of the word in that he is a lover of his subject matter.
His ardor has led him into the world of winemakers and wine
connoisseurs, taken him into the vineyards to work alongside the
harvesters, and into the process of making his own wine. He has sampled
the finest vintages with celebrity chefs, attended wine auctions and
special wine events, and tasted countless varieties. In short, he has
become so knowledgeable about wine that he has come to the realization
that he actually knows very little. To make up for this lack he has
crafted a plan: he will journey around the globe to discover firsthand
the secrets of the world’s wine regions. Thankfully, he is happy to
share his findings with us.
In this, the first book in a new series, Higgins travels to Argentina
to learn the answer to such questions as why there has never been a
Malbec that he didn’t like. The reason, we discover, is due mainly to
the ideal growing conditions for the grapes. For example, in the
country’s Mendoza wine region a consistent wide range in temperatures
give the fruit a naturally balanced acidity. The vines are watered
exclusively by the pure snow-melt from the Andes Mountains. The soil
consists of just the right blend of materials, while the perfect
combination of a high desert altitude and a very dry climate make for
vines that are free of many of the diseases and insects that plague
other wine regions. The result of all these factors are extremely
healthy grapes which, in the hands of a skilled vintner, can be
transformed into liquid magic. Of course, Malbec and Mendoza are just
the start of Higgins odyssey. His travels take him to Salta, the
highest wine growing region in the world and home to vineyards which
reach an elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level. Here one finds “The
Liar,” the white grape varietal Torrontés, which earns its nickname
from the discrepancy between its fruity, ripe peach smell and its
deceptively dry, grapefruit-like finish. Then later Higgins is off to
Patagonia, where the cooler climate is perfect for classic wines such
as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Along the way he
regales his readers with fascinating tidbits about local winemaking
history and tantalizes them with his culinary exploits in some of the
country’s best restaurants. In addition, he helpfully provides
descriptions of area attractions and gives advice on places to stay for
visitors who follow in his footsteps.
Much of what makes this book stand out is the professional experience
the author brings to his project. Higgins worked for 20 years as the
publisher of Flying Adventures,
a lifestyle travel magazine geared for those who own their own planes
and enjoy good food and wine. This background is evident in his overall
design of the book which rivals the best travel guides on the market.
He combines his own high quality photographs with short, engaging
articles which offer just the right amount of information to satisfy
the reader’s interest in a particular topic without belaboring the
point. Attractive, informative, and entertaining, Higgins’ book is an
excellent beginning to what promises to be a superb series.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review