Five Must-Have Wine Books for Your Library
By Laura Conde, wine writer
There is always more to learn about wine. Even the most knowledgeable never tire of discovering new wineries, unusual projects or surprising vintages. It is endlessly fascinating to understand, through our own palates, how climate vicissitudes directly affect gustatory pleasure. For those recently introduced to the wine world, the learning process usually involves the joyful uncorking of bottles and other adventures: a journey that takes them to previously unknown landscapes and shared emotions around tables filled with empty glasses.
Whatever form our initiation may take, some books are genuine gems, inviting us to read them in one go or settling into the comfort of our coffee table to be perused occasionally with the same sense of calm and predisposition as we would savour a fine wine. Below you’ll find five must-have books for anyone passionate about wine, which also make perfect gifts for the wine lovers in our lives on World Book Day.
The World Atlas of Wine – Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson (Mitchell Beazley, 2019; Spanish ed. Blume, 2021) Considered an essential reference book, the atlas has attained the status of a classic that has kept up with the times. The eighth edition reviews the significant changes that the global wine world has undergone: the effects of climate change, the move towards sustainability, new production techniques and consumption trends. With more than 230 detailed maps, the book not only provides novices with a guide in their wine education but also offers experts with updated information. The first edition, published in 1971, revolutionized the way in which we understand the geography of wine by combining precise maps with an engrossing narrative about the various regions and their wines. It is the “wine bible”, so to speak: an absolutely essential volume for all wine lovers.
Image of The World Atlas of Wine
Wines, The Sensory Analysis of Wine (Volume VI) – Bullipedia - (elBullifoundation, 2022) This is one of the most technical and comprehensive books on the sensory analysis of wine. Part of the ambitious Wine Sapiens project of the elBulli Foundation helmed by Ferran Adrià, it includes contributions from wine notables like Luis Gutiérrez, Júlia Harding or Thomas Matthew, to name a few. Anyone keen on perfecting their tasting techniques can delve into the world of sensory perception and the ins-and-outs of how our senses work when they come into contact with wine: hearing, sight, smell, taste and touch. The volume also provides an in-depth look at the technical aspects of wine tasting and explains how we perceive wine and how we can hone our tasting skills. Given its level of detail, this book is better suited to readers with more wine experience.
Wines, The Sensory Analysis of Wine
Wine for Dummies – Mary Ewing-Mulligan and Ed McCarthy (For Dummies, 2018; Spanish ed. Planeta de Libros, 2011)
El título lo dice The title says it all. This book is the perfect gateway read for the wine-curious who feel overwhelmed by its complexity – or even something small like navigating the wine list at a restaurant or making sense of the overly erudite explanations of certain sommeliers. Clearly articulated, educational, and very accessible, Wine for Dummies demystifies the language of wine and provides a simple guide to choosing, tasting and enjoying wine. This isn’t a technical book or a wine encyclopaedia, but a handbook designed to accompany the reader, and give them confidence, on their first forays into the wine world. Perfect for people who want to learn about wine on their own time, without pressure and, most importantly, without losing sight of a truism: the best wine is always the one you enjoy.
Wine for Dummies
Comprender el vino – Pedro Ballesteros (Planeta Gastro, 2021)Pedro Ballesteros, one of the few Spanish Masters of Wine, wrote a book that invites us to reflect on wine from a cultural, economic, and even philosophical perspective. As such, Comprender el vino (Understanding Wine) isn’t exactly a book about wines or wineries, or about tasting wine, but a journey into the imagination of one of the most renowned names in the Spanish wine sector. The author analyses how science, technology and trends influence the evolution of wine and how it is marketed and sold. His vision is personal, exacting, and, above all, provocative, asking questions and offering perspectives that invite discussion.
Comprender el vino
The Winemaker – Noah Gordon (Martínez Roca, 2007)The celebrated author of The Physician wrote the novel as his personal tribute to wine. Set in Catalonia during the late 19th century, The Winemaker, first published in Spanish as La bodega, tells the story of a young man who, after trying to escape his past, finds his salvation in the wine world. Through his protagonist, Noah Gordon masterfully captures the essence of the vineyard and the winemaking process, precisely describing the flavours and aromas of wine, and the intimate relationship between the winegrower and the land. The author was inspired to write the book after a trip to Spain where, as a grown man, he fell in love with the country’s wines and landscapes. The novel is his personal homage to this love affair.
