Wine is an amazing subject, but writing about it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Here are my 10 most loved and valued wine books of all time I’ve been reading and writing about wine.
The New French Wine | Jon Bonné
French wines are hard to crack. Traditional wine regions have huge layers of history to undig, and most books are ancient by today’s standards. The New French Wine takes a refreshing shot at updating the whole topic of French wine. And it’s a huge effort. Jon Bonné gathered enormous amounts of information and covers the hot topics of appellation regulations, geographical zoning and laters updates and rumours (we need those too!). Eight years of research pays itself. A must-have of a modern winelover and a wine pro. Buy on Amazon
Native Wine Grapes of Italy | Ian d’Agata
When Canadian-born but Italy-focused Ian D’Agata starts talking about wine one can expect a break from everything one knew before. D’Agata’s “medical” brain shows — he’s known to be able to dissect any Italian variety in any context — terroir, history, anecdotes and life in general. Italy’s Native Wine Grape Terroirs is a mandatory book for any winelover no matter what wine canons and trends they adhere to. Buy on Amazon
Inside Burgundy | Jasper Morris
Burgundy-based English wine merchant-turned-wine-writer — Morris has been the lighthouse for modern lovers of Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from Burgundy. The intricate system of micro-vineyards (called lieu-dits and climas there) mandates anyone who wants to sound competent about it to live there permanently. So Jasper moved there and started his writings and podcasts. His book is a reflection of many years of experience visiting producers, tasting wines and studying the history of Burgundy. While the book might feel scary in its volume and weight, it’s essential to simply step over the fear and dive into it. Buy on Amazon
How To Love Wine | Eric Asimov
Despite the pretentious title of the book it’s not imposing any morals or irritating wine instructions. In fact, Asimov actually has a special place in hell for books promising to “demystify” and “simplify” wine. “There are no books that confuse people more than those ,” he says. “ You don’t need to read books about wine to get good bottles, you just need to go around with the right sommelier or the right caviste.” For many of us, Eric, who — for many years now — has been writing on wine for The New York Times, may just be it, the guide. He has critical things to say about the aspects of wine business and wine world not many want (or dare) to speak about. This books is a multi-part critique of today’s commercial approach to wine and to wine writing. Buy on Amazon
Wine and War: The French, the Nazis, and the Battle for France’s Greatest Treasure | Donald Kladstrup & Petie Kladstrup
Hold on to your corkscrews: Wine and War is a journey into the history, where the bold French drink clashed with the dark of World War II revealing the lengths to which winemakers and Maisons owners like Bernard de Nonancourt, Robert and Maurice Drouan, Gaston Hue, the Hugel family went to protect their Champagnes and fine wines from the clutches of the Nazis. From stealthy cellars to clandestine grape harvests, the tales of bravery and ingenuity are told with the precision of a documentary film. Buy on Amazon
World Atlas Of Wine | Jancis Robinson & Jugh Johnson
If you enjoy learning in a more structured manner and consider wine to become more than a minute crush, the legendary Jancis Robinson’s book should always be if not on your table, at least in your Kindle. The British wine legend’s guides us to virtually all things wine. Whatever wine region you come up with, it is there. A beautiful work, updated every several years with a new colourful edition (8th for now).
Natural Wine: An Introduction To Organic And Biodynamic Wines Made Naturally | Isabelle Legeron
This book by Isabelle Legeron (she is a Master of Wine too) is not new (first published in 2014, than re-visited in 2017), but it comes from the person considered to be at the forefront of natural wine promotion and remains an important guide. Legeron is impartial, calm and measured. There is no place for tantrums and one-sided judgments here: only focused, friendly narrative, from which it’s difficult to break away. Buy on Amazon
The Story of Wine: From Noah to Now | Hugh Johnson
A classic reading from the pillar of the modern one world isn’t for everyone: you have to love history and structure. Yet, this book covers the historic basics of fine wines, putting it into the right perspective and giving us instruments to counter the AI-generated narratives of todays’ wine bloggers. Buy on Amazon
Champagne: The essential guide to the wines, producers, and terroirs of the iconic region | Peter Liem
Peter Liem is a new breed of wine writers — young, dynamic, with a modern palate and a tooth for Grower Champagne. So is the Champagne book with dynamic wording of 2020-s. Get hold of the hard copy version of the book: with maps and all the useful stuff! Buy on Amazon
The Sommelier’s Atlas of Taste: A Field Guide to the Great Wines of Europe | Rajat Parr
Another skilful writing. The Sommelier’s Atlas of Taste is pragmatic, smart and retains a no-bullshit approach, a welcome breath if fresh air in the world of wine technicalities and banalities. A rare example of depth of knowledge, insightful commentary and beautifully illustrated maps, the book is a comprehensive practical guide identifying wines from different wine regions and of different styles. The language is intelligent and thoughtful, but by no means boring. The authors quickly introduce you to their system of coordinates on such important and controversial concepts as terroir, minerality, typicity and the role of the winemaker. “If you want to get the full picture, we recommend taking a small sip,” authors conclude. Amazing! Buy on Amazon