5 Wine Books to Sip On in 2022
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The best way to learn about wines is by tasting them - there’s no doubt. But having a book next to you on your coffee table - building out your own structure, expanding your horizon, exploring new regions and grapes - is never a bad idea. Whether you are pursuing a career in wine, or thirsting for more wine knowledge, or simply want to make informed wine selection decisions, these 5 reads will make you wine-savvy!
The World Atlas of Wine
The World Atlas of Wine by Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson is among the most significant wine publications to date. It covers wine history, climate, production, maps (oh the maps, if you are a visual learner like me, you’d love the maps!), regions, and beyond, in an approachable narrative tone that’s easy to follow and understand. If you’ve ever wondered where the wine that you’re drinking is from or what makes a region special, this book will come handy - isn’t it great to open a bottle of wine and see where exactly it was made?
The Wine Bible
The Wine Bible by Karen MacNeil. One of the best-selling wine books of all time and it has sold more than a million copies. This is the holy grail for learning and expanding your wine knowledge. Packed with information, tips, recommendations, fun facts, this book is comprehensive, authoritative yet entertaining. It’s the kind of book that you can flip open quickly to find some specific information that you’re looking for, or curl up with on a rainy day while sipping on a glass of wine and let it transport you to that region.
Everything you need for a lifetime of wine pleasure!
The Science of Wine
The Science of Wine by Jamie Goode - Ph.D. in plant biology and a wine columnist in England. This may seem like a “deep dive” but don’t let the name scare you away. This book talks about all the fascinating terms, innovations, and trends in the wine world. What are the “terroir” and “biodynamic” that everyone is talking about these days? How exactly does sulfur play a role in winemaking? What happens in your brain while you’re tasting wine? It provides a comprehensive and in-depth overview of all the factors that influence the wine.
Secrets of the Sommeliers
Secrets of the Sommeliers is a collaboration between Rajat Parr, a wine director for the Mina Group, overseeing the wine lists at some of the top restaurants, and Jordan Mackay, a James-Beard-award winning writer on wine, spirits and food. This book presents a fascinating portrait of the world’s top wine professionals and their trade with a specific focus on the sommelier community - insights, recommendations, blind tastings, entertaining behind-the-scene stories, serving and tasting wines, and my personal favorite part, food and wine pairings!
My Favorite Burgundies
My Favorite Burgundies by Clive Coates, a Master of Wine who has spent four decades of his distinguished career in Burgundy, shares his vast insider knowledge of one of the world’s most exciting, complex, and intractable wine regions. This is not a textbook on Burgundy, but rather a personal view with his first-hand knowledge, long experience of this fabulous region, and precise descriptions.
A great book for true Burgundy lovers!