Few wine books can be called classic but the first edition of The World Atlas of Wine made publishing history when it appeared in 1971. It is recognized by critics as the most essential & authoritative wine reference work available. This seventh edition will bring readers, both old & new, bang up to date with the world of wine. Much has changed since the last edition of the Atlas in 2007. Changes in climate, in winemaking technique, in fashion, & in where wine is grown over the past years are all reflected in this new edition. The move away from more predictable international grapes & towards less familiar, local varieties is a noticeable trend. Wine that expresses its precise location is once more to the fore, meaning that an Atlas that allows the reader to understand a region`s geography is more necessary than ever. The increasing importance of cooler-climate regions as the effects of climate change become more apparent & the growth of China, not just as a consumer of wine but also as a grape-grower & wine producer, are just two of the many other developments covered. The Atlas is renowned for its superb cartography & this seventh edition has 215 unique maps.