Review: Nightmare in Burgundy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 12, 2014
This novella length tour around a wine region follows much the same pattern as the previous books. The older vintner Cooker is touring alone, something sinister occurs and he summons Virgile his assistant to his side.This book is set in the Burgundy region during spring, so we see the work of tying up vines in progress and the vintners allow themselves time off to attend dinners and tastings, with much eating, drinking and sniffing samples. We hear some French history and learn about the difference soil conditions make to the wine.There is a rash of graffiti in Latin around a sleepy village, which leads to the deaths of some kids suspected of spraying it; does someone have something to hide? Translated by a different lady, Sally Pane, the story reads as fluidly as the earlier works and the pair of authors show their experience in wine country.  The story is again a feast for the senses with some amusing looks at France and wine-makers.