The author got on his bike in May 2006 and spent six months exploring Alsace, Burgundy, Champagne and the Loire. The resulting book is a mix, in his own words, of ‘travel guide’ and ‘story’ – a rather uneasy combination. Presented very much as the former, with suggested itineraries plus lots of contact details for restaurants, wineries and hotels, it is at the same time sprinkled with anecdotes. When on Day 1 of the Champagne itinerary, Rippon refers to his ‘third spokebreaking incident’, you may find yourself wishing for a bare ‘facts-only’ version of the route. The maps are rudimentary but there is lots of useful information here – and not just for cyclists. Just remember that it is very much ‘Dominic’s France’.
Amy Wislocki

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Get over the slight ‘What I did on my summer holiday’ feel to this book, and many will enjoy the endearing true account of a couple’s quest to find France’s palest rosé after a throwaway comment at a restaurant table was misheard by a nearby winemaker. As they tour France’s bestknown rosé producing regions, opening bottle after bottle, you find yourself willing them to succeed. The wine anorak in me would have liked a bit more wine detail, but it has been written less as a wine book and more to appeal to those who would love to give up their job on a whim and tour France on a batty mission such as this.
Amy Wislocki

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