John Platter`s Book of South African Wines (revised 1982 edition)

 John and Erica Platter, Franschhoek (South Africa), 1981, Green Skivertex-boards with gilt lettering to the upper panel only, plain endpapers, 154 pp of text. Condition: complete, unmarked and fine throughout, 9 cms x 19.5 cms, condition: as new.

1. Over the years, these guides have changed out of all recognition. Early issues (as this) had no colour and no maps or other illustrations. The bulk of the book (pp 7-69 and 95-154) is an alphabetical listing (from Audacia to Zonnheimer) of wine-producers and their wines.
2. Pp 1-6, the prelims, are the title page, how to use the guide, including the use of the star system (no stars and * to *****), contents, preface and acknowledgments.
3. Pp 70-94 are mini-essays on grapes and wine grapes, wine certification, wine of origin areas, styles of wine, wine-making terms, wine-tasting and tasting terms, the best vintages, wine storage, serving wines, wine and food, wine and health.
4. Although 2nd edition stated this is technically the revised first edition, with many of the original evaluations modified & expanded and 1000 existing lines updated. A scarce item for an oenologist or just an inbiber like the rest of us.