From Peter Mayle, a wonderful new novel steeped in wine—and the business of wine?and set in, bien sûr, Provence.

Max Skinner is not exactly setting the London financial world on fire?and when his supervisor steals his biggest client, it’s definitely time to inspect the vineyard in Provence that his recently departed uncle left him. Heartily and happily distracted upon his arrival by the landscape, the weather, and the food?not to mention the gorgeous notaire handling the estate and the stunning owner of the local bistro?Max almost forgets about his inherited property.

Which might have been a good idea, because the wine produced there is swill. But then why, Max has to wonder, is his caretaker so anxious to acquire the land? When a beautiful young woman from California arrives with what might be a legitimate claim on the estate, and knowledge of vineyards that far outstrips Max’s own, the plot begins its twists and turns into and out of truly wonderful complications and resolutions.

This is luscious reading?soothing us with the sensual wonders of Provence while it tells a fascinating tale of the hugely lucrative and competitive boutique-wine trade. It is Peter Mayle’s most satisfying, most delectable novel yet.

彼得·梅爾，英國著名作傢，曾在國際廣告公司裏任職十五年，1975年開始全職寫作，現與妻子隱居在法國普羅旺斯地區。

其代錶作包括風靡全球的“普羅旺斯係列”（《普羅旺斯的一年》、《永遠的普羅旺斯》及《重返普羅旺斯》、《吃懂法蘭西》、《品位》、《一隻狗的生活意見》和小說《茴香酒店》、《追蹤塞尚》等。