Whether you're a casual wine drinker or a full-fledged oenophile, there's no better way to learn about wine than by reading about it. But with so many wine books on the market, it can be tough to know where to start. That's why we've compiled a list of the top 10 books for wine lovers, covering everything from history and grape varieties to pairing and storage tips. So pop open a bottle of your favorite vino and settle in for a fascinating read!
1. "Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine" by Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammack: This book is perfect for beginners who want to learn the basics about wine in a fun, approachable way. It covers everything from how wine is made and common grape varieties to food pairings and tips for buying wine like a pro.
2. "The World Atlas of Wine" by Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson: If you're looking for an authoritative reference guide, this is the book for you. First published in 1971, it's now in its seventh edition and features beautiful maps and illustrations along with detailed information on every major wine region in the world.
3. "A History of the World in Six Glasses" by Tom Standage: This fascinating book traces the history of human civilization through the lens of six drinks: beer, wine, spirits, tea, coffee, and cola. You'll never look at your favorite beverage in the same way again!
4. "The Wine Bible" by Karen MacNeil: This comprehensive guide covers everything you could ever want to know about wine, from grape varieties and winemaking techniques to food pairings and serving suggestions. It's perfect for both beginners and experienced wine lovers alike.
5. "How to Make Your Own Wine" by Elaine properties-Gottlieb: If you're interested in making your own wines at home, this book is essential reading. It covers all the basics of winemaking, from choosing grapes and crushing them to fermenting and bottling your finished product. Cheers!
6. "The Sommelier Prep Course" by Mireille Guiliano: This course is designed specifically for those interested in becoming professional sommeliers. It covers topics like tasting techniques, grape varieties, food pairings, storage, and more. Raise a glass to your future career!
7. "Vintage Cakes" by Julie Richardson: This cookbook features 50 recipes for classic cakes made with wines like port, sherry, Madeira, Marsala, and more. You'll love indulging in these rich desserts paired with your favorite vintages!
8. "Wine Composition & Styles" by John Baxevanis: This book takes a scientific approach to exploring the composition of wines and how different styles are created. You'll learn about topics like acidity levels, phenolic compounds, tannins, sugars,and alcohols—all of which impact a wine's flavor profile. Bottoms up!
9."Wine Grapes" by Jancis Robinson: This comprehensive guide features more than 1,000 entries on every major (and minor) grape variety used in winemaking around the world. If you're looking to deepen your understanding of what goes into your favorite bottle of vino, this is the book for you.
10."The Secrets of Master Sommeliers" by Geoff Kruth: Ever wonder what it takes to become one of the world's elitewine experts? In this book Geoff Kruth—a Master Sommelier himself—shares insider tips on everything from studying for (and passing) the Master Sommelier exam to building a successful career in the industry."
Whether you're just getting started on your wine journey or you've been drinking (and learning) for years, these books are sureto deepen your understandingand appreciationfor everyone's favorite fermented beverage! So pour yourself a glassof something specialand start reading!