Blake, somehow, without losing the gravitas of fact and classroom, has injected colour and emotion. He has a wonderful way of describing things, from the 'stony sinew' of quarries connecting Cōte de Nuits to Cōtes de Beaune, to the 'choir balcony' of Chassagne-Montrachet's grand cru vineyards, standing just a little apart from the commune ... The burgundies he loves ''like poetry, can be returned to again and again when another shade or nuance of flavour is discovered'. - Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com Raymond Blake's wonderfully descriptive volume on the Cōte d'Or is one of my favourite reads of the year. Almost all you need to know about one of the world's great wine regions is between the covers. - Mathew Nugent, The Irish Sun Without doubt THE best introduction to Burgundys most famous vineyards. Highly enjoyable. - Matthew Nugent, The Irish Sun This is an indispensible book, the perfect fireside read, whether you need help choosing a few bottles, or planning a trip to Burgundy. Needless to say, it would make the perfect Christmas gift for the wine lover in your life. - John Wilson, The Irish times The book delights for the charm, elegance, and conviction of Blakes proseconcise, informative, and leavened by abundant Wildean wit Supremely, this is a work of distinguished literary merit. It is also very readable, a real page-turner. Bravo! - Michael Edwards, The World of Fine Wine, issue 59