The Subtle Alchemist

London: MICHAEL JOSEPH, 1973. Revised Edition. Hardcover. Purple cloth covered boards. Very good, in very good dust wrapper. 206 pages. 22.5 x 14 cm. After a sensible introduction on the service of wine, the vineyards of Europe and the rest of the world are discussed fully but not laboriously. A keynote of the book is that as much attention is paid to 'little' wines as to the great ones. No artificial snobbery is tolerated, and a number of prejudices are disposed of with decisiveness and wit. Illustrated by the fabulous Ronald Searle. Previous owner's signature on the front free end paper. Pages lightly toned. Boards clean. Dust wrapper lightly toned. In protective mylar cover.