About the Book
Based on a series of articles published in The World of Fine Wine, Bursting Bubbles is a ground-breaking new book that offers the reader an alternate history of Champagne and its greatest growers. Often controversial, it is a no-holds barred look at the world's most famous wine region and the sparkling wine that it produces. It has the potential to change the way wine lovers think about Champagne. In his foreword, multi award winning author Andrew Jefford has called Bursting Bubbles, 'The most engaging book about leading Champagne growers I've read, full of insight and detail' and '...the most refreshing, pretension-pricking, myth-busting and amusingly unfrothy book on the subject I've read.'
About the Author :
Robert Walters is a respected wine merchant, vineyard owner and writer with over 25 years of experience in the trade. His deep knowledge of the Champagne region comes from working with some of the pre-eminent growers of Champagne from Europe, Australia and New Zealand for close to 15 years, giving him a unique perspective.
Review :
'Bursting Bubbles by Robert Walters is the most provocative wine book I've read in a while." - Henry Jeffreys, taken from his article in The Guardian, 'The best books on drink of 2017'; 'Bursting Bubbles is an absolute pleasure to read from start to finish. Packed with insightful perspectives, Robert Walters captures the people and history of Champagne unlike any other book. It's very rare that a book on wine manages to fit both wine experts and novices equally. Whether you consider yourself an expert on Champagne, or you've never popped a cork in your life, Bursting Bubbles has plenty to offer both ends of the spectrum and everyone in between.' - Derek Morrison, The Good Wine Shop (Independent Champagne Retailer of the Year 2017) & Co-Founder of "Grower Champagne Month"; 'It all gets off to a cracking start, since the author is a gifted writer who gives a delightfully engaging account of his epiphany, his unconditional surrender to the charms of the great grower Champagnes in God's little acre. Robert Walters writes not because he wants to sell more; he simply thinks that the wines are brilliant and that the story of their creators should be told'. - Michael Edwards, The World of Fine Wine; '...This is part history lesson, part travel adventure story and wholly entertaining to read. It reminds me of Kermit Lynch's Adventures On The Wine Route' with an Australian accent.' - The Wine Depository; "We have all been sold a pup, albeit a glossy-looking, expensive one. Most champagnes, even those made by the prestigious brands, are confections that have little to do with terroir (the natural environment of the grape) or the qualities that distinguish good wine. Big manufacturers discovered that wines of inferior quality could, when sweetened and sparkled, be sold to the wealthy as a prestige product. Out of this naked commercial opportunism came what Robert Walters calls, in this refreshingly iconoclastic book, "the world's first mass-market party drug". Fortunately for those of us who love fizz in our wine, a small and growing number of winemakers in Champagne are now drawing on the skills and knowledge that had been lost to the region to make "exceptional wines that just happen to have bubbles". " - The Age, Australia; "... this is a meticulously researched and scholarly work but it is written with verve and wit. In addition to a fascinating historical examination, Walters explodes numerous myths, which will amuse any lover of wine trivia." - Australian Financial Review; "...the most refreshing, pretension-pricking, myth-busting and amusingly unfrothy book on the subject I've read." - ANDREW JEFFORD, Multi-award-winning author of The New France and columnist and contributing editor for both Decanter and The World of Fine Wine.; "In the tradition of Kermit Lynch's Adventures n the Wine Route, Bursting Bubbles is a wonderful and informed exploration of the best grower Champagnes and the characters who make them. It shatters old myths and reveals new truths, making Champagne - the place and the wine - as intriguing, beautiful and magical as ever." - ANDREA FROST, award-winning author of Through as Sparkling Glass and columnist for TimAtkin.com and The World of Fine Wine.; "Rob Walters' approach to Champagne (and to wine in general - and to life!) in this beautifully written book is so cheerful and entertaining that one risks not realising how thoughtful and informative it is as well - a risk that I would advise any wine lover to take without hesitation." - JESUS BARQUIN, Award-winning co-author of the The Finest Wines of Rioja and Northwest Spain and Sherry, Manzanilla and Montilla and the co-founder of Equip Navazos. A fascinating combination of history, legend, travel guide and no-holds barred insight into the ultimate celebratory drink. * Devon Life * Robert Walters is an exceptionally good storyteller. His writing is eloquent and often impassioned. Wherever you stand, you should read the book. The debate is worth having. -- Jancis Tamly Currin Robertson.com A brilliant and appealing book, and the story it tells is fascinating and compelling - leaving me thirsty to try some of the wines that are its subject. -- Tim James * Wine Mag * There's much to agree with in this book. It is well written and researched, a pleasure to read and Walters argues his case persuasively. Most importantly, at the same time as it engages in some hand-wringing about the way things are, it communicates a joy and enthusiasm for good Champagne. I wholeheartedly recommend it. -- Huon Hook * The Real Review * Written with verve and wit. In addition to a fascinating historical examination, Walters explodes numerous myths, which will amuse any lover of wine trivia. -- Tim White * Australian Financial Review * Reckons with the multitude of Champagne myths in an edifying manner. This is the most readable wine book on this list. -- 9 Must-Reads for Drinks Industry Scott Rosenbaum Pros * Sevenfifty.com * Shows a masterly command of what is important in writing fastidiously crafted profiles of the top artisans of the Montagne and Cote he knows best. -- The World of Fine Michael Edwards Wine * The World of Fine Wine * This beautifully written book is so cheerful and entertaining that one risks not realising how thoughtful and informative it is as well - a risk that I would advise any wine lover to take without hesitation. -- Manzanilla & Awarding-winning co-author of Sherry Jesus Barquin Montilla Champagne. It's the pop, the cork, the theatre and sheer luxury of an exquisite drink. So, where best to start researching this enigmatic tipple? ... There is so much to this industry and Bursting Bubbles goes a long way to explaining what to consider before splashing out on a bottle of Dom Perignon. The book is a fascinating combination of history, legend, travel guide and non-holds barred insight into the ultimate celebratory drink. -- Annette Shaw * Goodreads * An absolute pleasure to read from start to finish. Packed with insightful perspectives, Robert Walters captures the people and history of champagne unlike any other book. It's very rare that a book on wine manages to fit both wine experts and novices equally. Whether you consider yourself an expert on champagne, or you've never popped a cork in your life, Bursting Bubbles has plenty to offer both ends of the spectrum and everyone in between.
This is a must-read book for any wine lover who has an ounce of interest in champagne. If this book doesn't inspire you to seek out the wines of these great growers profiled at the end, then read it again! A novel that explores the history of the champagne industry and its illustrious makers. Bursting Bubbles is about tradition, it's about revolution - the ever-changing competition in carbonation and taste - and is oh so worth the read. Busting Bubbles should be in every wine drinker's library, and
mandatory reading for every sommelier and hospitality student. Highly recommended. * Winesworld Magazine *
