Here at Winerist, one of the things we look forward to most over the Christmas break is curling up in front of a roaring fire with a good book in one hand and, of course, a glass of wine in the other! Books are one of our favourite Christmas gifts, particularly when they’re on our favourite subject (I’m sure I don’t need to tell you what that is!) and contrary to popular belief, there are a plethora of books on wonderful wine and wine culture out there which are totally readable and utterly enjoyable.
In true festive spirit, we’ve compiled a helpful countdown of our ten favourite wine books of 2018. Whether you’re treating the special wine lover in your life or just stocking up on some quality reading material in anticipation of those long, lovely, lazy winter evenings, there’s something on our shortlist for everyone.
Porto: Stories from Portugal’s Historic Bolhāo Market, Gabriella Opaz
Photo Credit: amazon.co.uk
Gabriella Opaz’s fabulous culinary guide focuses on the magic of Porto’s Bolhāo Market, which nestles in the heart of Northern Portugal just a stone’s throw from the historic Douro Valley wine region. This book takes a romantic, gorgeously nostalgic look at some of the incredible tales from a centuries-old Porto market brimming with centuries of fascinating culinary and vinous heritage. It’s an enchanting, exciting journey through the vivid culture of Northern Portugal, home to one of the most ancient wine regions on the planet, and we absolutely loved it.
£17.38 (on offer right now!) Buy it here.
New Wine Rules, Jon Bonné
Photo Credit: amazon.co.uk
Jon Bonné’s wine guide describes itself as ‘a genuinely helpful guide to everything you need to know’ when it comes to the world of wine – and we have to say, we’re in agreement. This punchy, pocket-sized guide breaks down some of the most intimidating aspects of the wine world and reframes them in a down-to-earth and wholly accessible style. Bonné’s writing is straightforward and fun, and perfect for any beginner or enthusiastic wanting to broaden their knowledge. Plus, the book itself is bright, bold and looks super jazzy on your shelf!
£11.99. Buy it here.
Winebird’s Vinalogy, Helena Nicklin
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This bubbly little book comes to us courtesy of Winerist’s very own Helena! A Vinalogy is described as ‘a vinous analogy that paints memorable pictures of anything wine-related’ and Helena’s vivid, incredibly imaginative Vinalogies are the perfect way to get those key wine facts firmly fixed in your mind! I loved the romantic image of my favourite Pinot Noir as the beautiful, elegant ballerina of the wine world; you might laugh out loud at the thought of Riesling as a German supermodel in lime-green wellies or nod your head in agreement at Pinotage’s Rock Star status. Chuck in some gorgeous illustrations and an immensely enlightening chapter on Wine FAQs, you’ll find all of a sudden that all the best wine basics are enthusiastically embedded in your brain (even if you now can’t get the image of Nebbiolo as a ladyboy out of your mind…)
£10.00. Buy it here for same day delivery.
Amber Revolution: How the World Learned to Love Orange Wine, Simon J. Woolf
Photo Credit: themorningclaret.com
Orange wine (essentially, a white wine which is produced using a red wine manufacturing method in which the grape skins and seeds are left in contact with the juice) has undergone somewhat of a revolution in recent years, from obscure oddity to trendy tipple. Orange wine expert (bet there’s not many of them around) Simon J. Woolf takes his readers on a fascinating journey from the origins of this ancient wine to its present-day popularity, in a simple, easy-to-read format accompanied by gorgeous photography and some great recommendations. As you will discover, there’s a whole world of orange wine out there waiting to be discovered, and this book is the perfect place to start.
35€. Buy it here.
Red & White, Oz Clarke
Photo Credit: amazon.co.uk
Oz Clarke is undoubtedly one of our most popular wine personalities, having energetically covered everything from best-selling books to TV stardom and a whole host of other vinous enterprises in between. Red & White is the tale of how Oz fell in love with the wonderful world of wine; part memoir, part impressively knowledgeable guide, part passionate discourse on everything he loves best about the wine industry. It’s eminently readable and thoroughly enjoyable – the ultimate read for any wine lover, this book is a total immersion into the world of wine and is a must-have for any wino, whether serious aficionado or a keen newbie!
£16.39. Buy it here.
Hugh Johnson on Wine, Hugh Johnson
Photo Credit: amazon.co.uk
Hugh Johnson has been writing on the subject of wine for over six decades and of course has produced quite the portfolio in that time! Hugh Johnson on Wine is a thoroughly enjoyable compilation of some of Johnson’s best pieces from the 1960s to the present day, entertainingly annotated by the author. His writing style is energetic, dynamic and full of dry humour - it’s a great volume to dip in and out of if you’re trying to balance ‘me’ time with turkey cooking and family wrangling, or just shut yourself away and have a good old giggle as Johnson traverses everything from courting young ladies at châteaux in the Médoc to the age-old question … how edgy is it really to serve cheese before pudding at dinner!?
£14.54. Buy it here.
Bursting Bubbles: A Secret History of Champagne and the Rise of the Great Growers, Robert Walters
Photo Credit: amazon.co.uk
One of the best books that I’ve read this year, Bursting Bubbles takes a fascinating look at the world of champagne that exists beyond the big brands and famous houses, where innovative, passionate growers are creating stunning wines that are a true expression of the terroir in which they are grown. Wine merchant Walters takes a thoroughly enjoyable trip through the Champagne region, meeting fascinating people and reminding us of the often-overlooked fact that ‘champagne is first and foremost, a wine’. It’s thoroughly entertaining and gives you loads of ammunition you need to smugly tell people all the reasons why the champagne they’re drinking might not quite be the top-notch wine they think it is …
£32 Buy it here.
The 24-Hour Wine Expert, Jancis Robinson
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Jancis Robinson is quite simply one of the world’s leading authorities on wine. Her writing record is prolific – she’s responsible for some of the most heavyweight wine books out there, most notably the hefty Oxford Companion to Wine. However, the slim, supple 24-Hour Wine Expert is something quite different. It’s a concise guide designed to take you from rookie to confident wine expert in 24 hours, covering everything from winemaking processes to cheat sheets and restaurant rituals in just 100 pages. There’s no better way to learn than from the best, and this book from Jancis is a great place to start.
£4.99. Buy it here.
The Wandering Vine: Wine, the Romans and Me, Nina Caplan
Photo Credit: amazon.co.uk
Winner of the 2018 Louis Roederer International Wine Book of the Year Award, The Wandering Vine charts Nina Caplan’s voyage through the history of the world of wine from the Roman empire through many of the most key wine making regions of the world, from Champagne and Burgundy to Andalusia and Sicily. This book is so much more than just wine; it’s a refreshingly well-researched work of history, culture, travel, food and drink which takes us on a very personal journey as Caplan recounts her own family’s experiences alongside the history of wine. It’s sensitive and passionately written in Caplan’s intensely evocative style – if you want to be instantly transported to the most beautiful of Burgundian vineyards without having to leave your living room, this book is the one for you.
£11.92. Buy it here.
Wine Folly Magnum Edition, Madeline Puckett
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If you only ever invest in one book on wine, make it Wine Folly. This sumptuously illustrated, fabulously informative guide gives the reader a comprehensive grounding in everything from serving wine to the key grape varieties and wines of the world (covering 100 different varieties, no less). It’s exuberant, exciting and a refreshing change from serious wine textbooks, as well as being a great go-to for those wanting to check their wine facts or brush up on their knowledge. Plus, the Magnum Edition has recently been released, just in time for Christmas – even more great stuff in a strikingly attractive black-and-gold binding which makes a perfect present to be unwrapped on Christmas morning.
$19.81. Buy it here.
All these beautiful books are of course available to purchase online, but we think that one of the best bits about books is browsing in bookshops … so why not venture away from the keyboard and head down to the high street instead?
Want more gift ideas for wine lovers this Christmas? See this article! Or if you’re after wine recommendations for the big day, click here. If it’s wine you need to give as a gift, check out these options here. or if you want to solve all the gifting problems in one go and give someone or a group of people a wine and food experience to remember, check out our Winerist gift cards here.