100 years of war, technological revolution and massive increases in wealth have changed the wine world beyond recognition, transforming wine from a regional to a truly international product. In the first book to explore the 20th century's influence on wine and wine's influence on the 20th century, the world's finest wine writers have joined forces to produce a genuinely definitive work. This extraordinary collection of writings traces the story of wine from the disease-strewn vineyards of 1900 to the thriving global industry of today. The book begins by exploring the influences of regional cuisines, religion, fashion and puritanism, on the world's wines. It then considers how political, technological and transport developments have affected wine styles and popular tastes. Next the history of each major wine region and country is reviewed. The authors consider not only changes in the law, local tastes, the vineyard and the winery, but also how political and social developments have influenced the evolution of each region's wines. - A unique overview of wine in the 20th century. - Contributions from some of the world's most distinguished wine connoisseurs.- Includes a wealth of previously unpublished photographs from family libraries and museums. - A timeline highlights the key events and vintages of the 20th century.