Get your nose out of a glass and into…
Our favorite wine books
From my perspective, learning about wine has only increased my enjoyment of it. Knowing what it took for those grapes to get from vine to barrel to bottle to your local wine shop heightens my enjoyment of wine. At every step there are countless decisions that could completely alter the end product. So whatever is in your glass is truly a representation of where it came from and who made it.
I think the number one way to learn about wine is to drink it, but since that wouldn’t be socially acceptable all day, every day - the next best thing is to read about it! I started my wine education with a few simple books:
#1 Windows on the world by Kevin Zraly
Kevin Zraly led wine education at the World Trade Center’s vaunted dining venue. This book has sold over four million copies. It’s legit. Zraly manages to distill this incredibly complex topic into digestible bits that don’t overwhelm even the most novice wine reader. If you’re going to start with one wine book, this is it.
#2 Wine folly: The master Guide
If you’re a visual learner, this one’s for you. Wine Folly maps out so much information about grape varieties, wine labelling and food and wine pairing with very easy to follow visuals. This is a great resource in particular to learn about specific grapes and styles of wine.
#3 The Oxford companion to wine
This one’s for when you’re ready to take your wine knowledge to the next level. It’s literally a wine reference book. So if you’re looking for an A to Z encyclopedia about all things wine, this is it. I find myself reaching for it when I hear about a grape I’ve never tried or a region I know nothing about. Each entry gives you enough information to satisfy without boring.
#4 Adventures on the wine route by kermit lynch
If his name sounds familiar, it’s because Kermit Lynch is a hugely influential importer of wines. You’ll find his name on the back of a lot of great wines (including a few in our shop). This delightful book, originally published in 1990, portrays Lynch’s journeys around France discovering great winemakers, exploring cellars & dining in incredible restaurants. It will make you yearn for the pre-Yelp, pre-Google Maps days of travel. It’s not too heavy on wine knowledge but will leave you thirsting for more.
