Summer Reading: The Best Wine Books, Period
- wineminx
- Jun 8
- 3 min read
Over my 30+ years in the wine and spirits industry, not to mention my decade-plus of intense wine study, I have read over two hundred books on wine. Everything from encyclopedias to technical books on winemaking and viticulture, to thoughtful regional guides, to nonfiction tales of historical figures and scandal.
Most wine collectors have some kind of wine library, and it typically includes classics like Jancis Robinson MW’s “The Oxford Companion to Wine,” Karen MacNeil’s “The Wine Bible,” and a few other dependable stalwarts. But I don’t hear a lot about wine lovers sitting down over a glass and poring over these (mostly) reference books. Sure, they are nice to have, but they often gather dust.
Here is my list of wine books you might actually want to crack open and sit with from time to time – a summer reading list for wineaux, perhaps. I look forward to hearing about your favorites.
It’s hard to pull just one of Goode’s books to feature, they are all fascinating. He has a talent for conveying often-technical concepts in a very readable way. In this book, he covers important issues from viticulture and vinification, and explains them in detail, backed by real-world examples. Chemistry, processes, and a dose of philosophy have never been more enjoyable.
Honorable mention: Goode’s “I Taste Red,” on the science of tasting wine. Nerd factor rises a bit here but also quite intriguing.
This is an amazing deep dive into why European wines taste the way they taste, influenced by location (and people, philosophy, and history…), by experienced and knowledgeable guides who aren’t afraid to be a little saucy. Part reference book, part guidebook, part memoir, it will have you searching for new bottles and planning your next vineyard visits before each chapter is through.
Honorable mention: Jon Bonné’s “The New French Wine,” a two-volume compendium of France that is detailed, timely, and beautiful.
Evan is a top-notch ambassador for wine exploration. An engaging educator and writer, he takes the reader through some of his favorite chefs’ recipes, suggesting less-common wines to pair with them. His enthusiasm and encouragement will have you racing to the kitchen (and to the specialty wine store) to try some pairings yourself.
Honorable mention: “What to Drink with What You Eat,” by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg. Alas, this classic book may be hard to find, but Karen and Andrew break down the science of pairing nearly every kind of beverage with nearly every food imaginable.
All about the rise and fall of the prolific wine forger, Rudy Kurniawan. (Even though he was caught and served prison time, I still routinely uncover counterfeit “Rudy bottles” in collections.) This is a captivating tale of a young man with a prodigious palate driven by a need to belong to the upper echelon of wine connoisseurs. He hoodwinked the best – and almost got away with it. A gripping and compelling true story.
Honorable mention: “Shadows in the Vineyard,” by Maximilian Potter, about the plot to poison historic vines of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, the most expensive and lauded producer in Burgundy.
Those who know me know that Champagne is the beverage I would drink all day, every day, if I could. And this thorough guide is the most comprehensive book on Champagne I’ve ever encountered. Terroir, producers, production - it covers it all. Plus, the box set includes faithful reproductions of the historic Larmat maps, showing original vineyards with surprising detail. Liem is a true expert, and a definitive and engaging writer.
Honorable mention: “The Widow Cliquot,” by Tilar J Mazzeo, about the woman behind the evolution and revolution of Champagne.
Note: for those of you studying for a wine and/or spirits certification, I have LOTS of recommendations in that arena. Reach out and I'll share, and will also compile some of the essentials when the academic year picks up in the fall. Until then, happy reading!
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