Books

  • Rooted in Change: The Stories Behind Sustainable Wine

    Rooted in Change: The Stories Behind Sustainable Wine

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    Simon Judge

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    Jane Masters MW and Andrew Neather have created something different in the world of wine publishing: a serious, grounded examination of wine’s relationship with climate change, sustainability and trade. Published in 2025 and running to 248 pages, the book avoids lifestyle fluff and instead offers a sober, evidence-based account of where wine stands today and…

  • The Essential Guide to Italian Wine 2026

    The Essential Guide to Italian Wine 2026

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    Simon Judge

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    The Essential Guide to Italian Wine 2026 is the latest edition of an annual reference for anyone with even a passing interest in Italian wine. Curated by Daniele Cernilli, the renowned Italian wine critic better known as “DoctorWine”, the guide continues to cement its place as a leading authority in the world of wine. Cernilli,…

  • Grape Explications

    Grape Explications

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    By

    Simon Judge

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    Neal Hulkower, author of Grape Explications, sent me his book to review. It is less a single, neatly packaged volume and more a glorious grab bag of articles, essays and musings. Think of it as a well-stocked cellar of words poured from his writing since the late 1970s. Neal David Hulkower is a wine writer,…

  • Behind the Glass: The Chemical and Sensorial Terroir of Wine Tasting

    Behind the Glass: The Chemical and Sensorial Terroir of Wine Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    This book by Gus Zhu, published by Académie du Vin Library (discount code provided later), is a revelatory exploration of why wine tastes, smells and even looks the way it does. Combining scientific rigour with deep sensory insight, Zhu, the first Chinese national to become a Master of Wine, offers readers a richly detailed and…

  • The Cynic’s Guide to Wine

    The Cynic’s Guide to Wine

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    By

    Simon Judge

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    Sunny Hodge, a wine expert with an education in mechanical engineering, has carved out an unconventional path in the world of wine. Before entering hospitality, he studied engineering and later became a founding team member at Margot, the London restaurant from Paulo de Tarso and Nicholas Jaouën. He then went on to open two independent…

  • True Taste

    True Taste

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    By

    Simon Judge

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    True Taste by Matt Kramer is a slim yet thought-provoking exploration of wine appreciation, wrapped in a mere 128 pages. Kramer, a respected American wine writer and critic, is known for challenging industry norms and questioning accepted wisdom. His approach to wine criticism, rooted in decades of experience and as the person who ‘invented’ the…

  • How to Drink Wine

    How to Drink Wine

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    By

    Simon Judge

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    Tom Surgey’s How to Drink Wine is a refreshingly unpretentious guide that demystifies the world of wine. Tom, a well-regarded wine expert, brings a wealth of experience from his years in the industry, from starting as a young enthusiast at The Ivy in London to crafting wine lists for restaurants and representing top wine producers…

  • Italy in a Wineglass

    Italy in a Wineglass

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    By

    Simon Judge

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    Italy in a Wineglass, by Mark Millon, offers readers the rich tapestry of Italy’s history through the lens of its winemaking tradition. Millon, with his impressive tenure of over forty years as a wine writer, not only brings a wealth of knowledge to his writing but also a passionate reverence for his subject. His previous…

  • Oz Clarke’s Story of Wine: 8000 Years, 100 Bottles

    Oz Clarke’s Story of Wine: 8000 Years, 100 Bottles

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    By

    Simon Judge

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    ‘Oz Clarke’s Story of Wine: 8000 Years, 100 Bottles’ is an engaging and informative read that offers a unique perspective on the history and evolution of wine. This new edition, previously titled ‘The History of Wine in 100 Bottles’, better reflects the focus of being a story-driven approach rather than a conventional historical narrative. The…

  • Vines in a Cold Climate

    Vines in a Cold Climate

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    Simon Judge

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    ‘Vines in a Cold Climate’ by Henry Jeffreys is an exploration into the world of viticulture in the United Kingdom. Cleverly titled as a nod to Nancy Mitford’s “Love in a Cold Climate,” the book looks into the complexities and nuances of establishing a successful vineyard in a climate traditionally considered unsuitable for wine production….

  • World in a Wine Glass

    World in a Wine Glass

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    By

    Simon Judge

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    “World in a Wine Glass: The Insider’s Guide to Artisanal, Sustainable, Extraordinary Wines to Drink Now” by Ray Isle is a different journey through the world of wine, offering a fresh and insightful perspective that goes beyond the conventional wine guide. Ray Isle, with his extensive experience as the executive wine editor for Food &…

  • The Oxford Companion to Wine

    The Oxford Companion to Wine

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    By

    Simon Judge

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    The Oxford Companion to Wine has long been revered in the world of wine books and its fifth edition serves to solidify this reputation. This latest edition features more than 4,100 entries, providing comprehensive coverage of the subject. With the inclusion of more than 300 brand-new entries, readers are treated to fresh insights and information….

  • Cork Dork

    Cork Dork

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    By

    Simon Judge

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    Journalist and hobbyist drinker, Bianca Bosker, initially knew little about wine until she stumbled upon a world dominated by elite sommeliers obsessed with flavour. Intrigued by their passion and almost supernatural tasting abilities, she embarked on a journey to understand their obsession, exploring whether she could become a “cork dork” herself. Through a mixture of…

  • Wine Science: The Application of Science in Winemaking

    Wine Science: The Application of Science in Winemaking

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    By

    Simon Judge

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    This book explores the processes, advancements and factors impacting science of winemaking. With the rise of scientific techniques to enhance the consistency and profitability of wines, there has been a global exchange of knowledge, ideas and practices. This book, written by Jamie Goode, is unique in offering an in-depth examination of wine science. Goode adeptly…

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Did You Know?

In 2024, the UK was the second-largest export market for Champagne globally, after the United States. More

Local UK bottling of wine which represents about 40% of imported wine. More

Around 1% of people, typically severe asthmatics, have a sulphite sensitivity. More

A large 80% of Australian wine arrives in the UK in bulk. More

Only about 0.02% of Australia’s landmass is dedicated to vineyards. More

In 2024, New Zealand produced only 1% of the World’s wine. More

In 2024, the US imported 37% of World production of Pinot Grigio and the UK was is in second place at 27%. More

In 2024, the UK was South Africa’s largest export market, with 40% of total exports. More

In 2024, the United Kingdom imported 22.3 million bottles of Champagne, a decline of 12.7% compared to the previous year. More

Larger Champagne producers source grapes from as many as 80 different vineyards throughout Champagne. More

Champagne houses and growers collectively produce around 300 million bottles annually. More

In 2025, the Champagne region was home to about 2,124 Champagne houses and approximately 19,000 growers. More

Provence is one of the leaders in the conversion to organic viticulture, with 61% of vineyards certified. More

8% of the South Africa’s grape production is Fairtrade-certified. More

Up to 80% of wine aroma compounds come from grape skins. More

Glycerol is the third-largest component of most dry wines after water and alcohol which is why they so often feel ‘smooth’ or ‘silky’ in the mouth. More

Humans are more than 400 times more sensitive to bitter than sweet. More

Humans can detect the earthy molecule geosmin at about 100 parts per trillion and camels are so sensitive to it they can locate damp ground from roughly 50 miles away. More

During the phylloxera crisis of the nineteenth century, 90% of Europe’s vineyards were destroyed. More

In 2025, for La Vieille Ferme, also known as “The Chicken Wine”, sales surged by 49.4% to £110.8 million. More

In 2025, in the UK, Yellow Tail held the top position with sales, marking a 9.8% increase over the previous year. More

In 2024, the UK was the second-largest wine importer in volume and value. More

In 2024, the UK was the fifth-largest wine-consuming country globally. More

In 2025, global wine consumption continued its downward trend, estimated at 214.2 million hectolitres, the lowest since 1961. More

In 2025, online alcohol sales had a 20% increase in value over five years. More

In 2025, the number of UK vineyards rose to 1,104 and wineries to 238, with land under vine expanding to 4,841 hectares, a 510% increase since 2005. More

Moët Hennessy alone commands nearly 46.66% of the Champagne market, with the top three producers together holding about 61%, and the top five controlling over 72%. More

In 2024, the Champagne market was worth roughly €3.92 billion. More

In the marketing year 2023/24, white wine accounted for roughly 55% of Spain’s output, whereas red and rosé together made up about 45%. More

In the UK, 92% of wine is consumed within 48hrs of purchase. More

The majority of wines, 95%, use commercial rather than wild yeast. More

Between 0.5 and 10 litres of water, per litre of wine, are needed for cleaning during winemaking. More

Machine harvesting can achieve up to 100 tons of fruit per day vs 1 ton for a human. More

In Germany, 2025 was the smallest wine vintage since 2010. More

The majority of vineyards, 90% in 2019, are farmed with heavy chemical interventions. Only 6% are organic. More

90% of low and coastal areas in south Europe and California will no longer be able to produce good wine by the end of the century. More

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