VIVIENNE NILAN

The yearly “Wine Report” by Tom Stevenson and his team of regional specialists is a must-have for wine lovers, amateur and professional. It’s not hard to see why.

The sheer abundance of wine from a constantly growing number of vineyards, new winemaking techniques and technologies, and the emergence of new players in countries far from the classic wine-producing regions make this a complex field to traverse without a knowledgeable guide. And “Wine Report 2008” from Dorling Kindersley is just that.

The writers adeptly corral masses of information into accessible and palatable form. The result is both compendious and succinct, a handy mix of background information, local and global reports, opinions and lists. These are not the tedious, trainspotter, compilation-for-the-sake-of-it kinds of lists, but soundly based opinions from experts. The top 10s – including highest quality, best bargains, new up-and-coming producers – point the way to exciting taste experiences.

In his entry on Greek wine, Nico Manessis highlights efforts by the government to promote Greek wine abroad, and notes growing demand for premium-grade Greek wine and successful attempts to do justice to the Xinomavro variety.

Kathimerini English Edition asked him about new trends: “Bone-dry Santorini wines have attracted a cult following and are now featured in trendy restaurants in England, Belgium, and North America. The Russian market has begun in earnest to discover and import Greek wines. Current favorites include rose from Nemea and red from Amyndeo.”

Top of his list this year for most unusual or exciting finds? Gerontoklima Rematias 2003, from Antonopoulos: “A most striking wine made from the obscure Ionian island speciality, Vertzami.”