We’ve been experimenting with book and bottle pairings with Damian Barr and it’s been so much fun to bring the novels to life with a well-matched wine. But what about books about wine? These ones are the kind you can read to increase your knowledge on the subject and probably would go well with a nice glass or two. How many have you read? Let us know in the comments.
1. 24 Hour Wine Expert
By Jancis Robinson, it’s a great light read that will introduce you to not only how to taste wine but how to decipher wine labels. A must for aspiring winos and people wanting to refresh their knowledge.
2. The World’s Shortest Wine Book
Hugely entertaining read by Simon Woods. What else did you expect from the former wine correspondent at the Financial Times.
3. Salt & Old Vines: True Tales of Winemaking in the Roussillon
Every year Richard W.H. Bray goes to the south of France to make wine, this book straddles the best of travel and wine writing. Best enjoyed with a cold glass of your favourite French wine by the pool.
4. Wine Science: The Application of Science in Winemaking
Tim Atkin describes Jamie Goode as “a rarity – a scientist who knows how to explain his subject in an approachable way.” And he’s not wrong, the wine columnist for The Sunday Express has a PhD in plant biology and is often the first to question the hype surrounding articles. His blog Wine Anorak has been a staple of the trade since 2000.
5. The Oxford Companion to Wine
Jancis Robinson and Julia Harding put together this seminal tome. While you probably won’t be taking this on holiday any time soon, this is the ultimate guide to all things wine. Any question about wine you could possibly ask is answered in these pages. A truly essential book.
6. Taste Like A Wine Critic: A Guide To Understanding Wine Quality
With all your new found knowledge, you’ll be needing this guide by Lisa Perotti-Brown MW. As Editor-in-Chief of The Wine Advocate, she tastes a fair amount of wine in a year. She lifts the lid on how to improve your appreciation of wine and how to detect different quality standards. A great read for any budding Master of Wine.
Have these whet your literary apetite? Check out the book and bottle pairings we’ve done with Damian Barr