Which is the best wine guide to take to France

A.� One of the most thorough guides for wine-lovers is the Hachette Wine Guide. It has been published in English for the first time (Cassell �19.99) and is so well researched British wine merchants scouting for new growers use the French editions as a source.

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Q.� Why is it so highly recommended

A.� The current edition, in both English and French versions, covers 9,000 wines of recent vintages, chosen from more than 28,000 varieties by 800 experts.� it is organised by region, and within each region, by appellation. Producers are then listed alphabetically within appellations. Each wine has a tasting noteand is graded. No star means the wine is typical of the region, while three stars - the ultimate accolade - means a wine has been judged as exceptional. The other very valuable addition to the book is the information given for each entry - an indication of price, the address, contact numbers and visiting details. The book also tells you how to bottle your own wine if buying in bulk and it provides a vintage chart going back to 1900.

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Q.� What sort of wine does it tip

A.� The experts in the book are anonymous, but are assumed to be French. Their tastes are very French, and they approve a 1999 Bergerac Sec from Clos d'Yvigne Cuvee Nicholas, for example, which is described as a crisp, rich barrel-fermented dry white wine.

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Q.� Which other books will teach me about wine

A.� Alexis Lichine's Encyclopaedia of Wine covers everything, including the history of wine. High Johnson's Wine Atlas is a comprehensive starting point.

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Q.� Where can you bulk buy wine in this country I want it to lay down and keep.

A.� There are a number of key wine merchants in this country. Oddbins has one of the best selections available, and in London there are specialists such as Lea & Sandeman, Jeroboams and Corney & Barrow.

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By Katharine MacColl