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Top 10 wine education books
If you are looking to boost your knowledge of grapes, brush up on your wine regions and become a wine aficionado, these essential wine education books are sure to help you on your way.
Wine education has taken off in recent years, no less so in Asia where the take up of courses provided by the Wine and Spirit School (WSET) has “gone through the roof” in recent years.
So if you’re itching to get a grasp on the world of wine but don’t know where to start, why not try dipping into one of these key texts.
Scroll through for our essential list of wine education books.
Kevin Zraly’s Windows on the World Complete Wine Course, Kevin Zraly
For the total beginner this book is a fantastic starting point. Now in its 33rd year, the book is structured in ‘classes’ with each chapter introducing the reader to a new area of wine, peppered with facts, figures and simple explanations.
It also includes interactive links to online video content and pronunciation soundbites.
Kevin Zraly is the founder and teacher of the Windows on the World Wine School, and was recently honoured with a James Beard Lifetime Award.
Other honours include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the European Wine Council and the James Beard Award for Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year.
World Atlas of Wine, Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson MW
Regarded as ‘the bible’ for those working in the wine industry, this tome is a vital reference book for any serious wine buff.
The 400-page book is packed with information on the history of wine, how to store it, cellaring, grapes and details on all of the major wine regions in the world.
Now in its 7th edition, this classic wine reference book has sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide.
WineWise by Steven Kolpan, Brian H. Smith, and Michael Weiss
Revised and updated this latest edition is an essential consumer guide to wine.
Written by longtime wine educators at The Culinary Institute of America, this book includes new picks for the best regional producers, off-the-beaten-path finds, and bargain bottles.
With a self-described “practical, anti-snob attitude” the emphasis for this book is on enjoying wine and getting the best value.
As well as covering the basics on major grapes, flavour profiles, and decoding labels, this book also gives advice on pairing wine with food.
Viticulture – An introduction to commercial grape growing for wine production, Stephen Skelton MW
For the serious wine student, and for those looking to start growing their own vines, this book is a must.
Giving a basic introduction to growing grapes for wine production, this book is aimed at those in the wine trade, WSET Diploma students or Master of Wine candidates, and is also very helpful for those thinking of setting up a vineyard.
WSET Coursebook
A crucial text for any student starting out on their Level 2 WSET course.
Featuring a foreword by Jancis Robinson, this text covers all the basics of the wine and spirit industry supported by full colour maps and diagrams.
Wine Report 2009, Tom Stevenson
This is a vintage reference guide that should be part of any serious wine-lover’s library.
Featuring top ten lists, hot tips, wine science and detailed information on yearly vintages, this book is an easily accessible and handy reference guide which will prove useful to anyone navigating the world of wine.
Drink This: Wine Made Simple, Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl
This is a book for anyone who has ever been baffled by a wine list and perfect for the interested consumer keen to acquire a more informed knowledge of wine.
Simple, and with plenty of humour, Drink This explains the basics of wine and teaches your how to purchase, taste and enjoy wine.
Grumdahl interviews some of the world’s most renowned critics, winemakers, and chefs, including Robert M. Parker, Jr., Paul Draper, and Thomas Keller, who share their wisdom about everything from pairing food and wine to what wine scores and reviews really mean.
Understanding wine technology, David Bird
This text is undoubtedly for the more science-minded wine buffs out there and serious students. It contains all the latest information, techniques and legislation regarding the production of wine and is essential reading for students of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma and Institute of Masters of Wine examinations.
It is the only book to explain the science and technology of wine in simple terms and while it is a heavy text, is also ideal for those who want to know more about how wine is made.
Oxford companion to wine, Jancis Robinson
Published in 1994, this text by Jancis Robinson has gained worldwide acclaim over the years winning every major wine book award including the Glenfiddich and Julia Child/IACP awards.
Combining researched fact with opinion and wit, The Oxford Companion to Wine presents almost 4,000 entries on every wine-related topic imaginable, from regions and grape varieties to the owners, connoisseurs, growers, and tasters in wine through the ages; from viticulture and oenology to the history of wine, from its origins to the present day.
A timeless reference guide for anyone learning about the world of wine.
Essential wine tasting, Michael Schuster
This book offers a complete guide to learning about tasting wine helping to train your palate and taste wine like a professional.
Its step-by-step approach teaches you how to look at, smell and taste a wine, as well as explaining how it is made and exploring every major grape variety in the world.
It finishes with a series of nine guided practical tastings to illustrate the key differences in wine styles, flavours and quality.
Surprised not to see Wine Grapes by Robinson, Harding and Vouillamoz atop this list. Wine Report was a fabulously useful publication, but since it was in essence an annual update and given that it’s not been published since 2009 it probably doesn’t deserve a place here.
I have more have more than 100 books on wine and I always tell people if you’re only going to buy one wine book, buy “The Wine Bible” by Karen McNeil. Very surprised you didn’t include it…
Bruce Nichols
A Nichols Worth of Wine
I do have wine wise at home which we often read whenever we go to bed with my husband. But the rest are all interesting will definitely check them out the next time we head to the bookstore.
vine ok