Books

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, reviewer and tasting room professional with decades of experience, all seasoned by an earlier life in academia, aerospace and the boardrooms of technology and operations. Since the late 1960s, he has been everywhere wine has needed him: pouring in Oregon tasting rooms, selling in shops,…

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 approachable guide to the complexities that lie within a glass of wine. Rather than focusing on wine regions or grape varieties, Zhu turns his attention to the human senses themselves, sight, taste, and smell, structuring the book around how each contributes to our experience of…

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 wine bars in south London, Diogenes the Dog and Aspen & Meursault, both of which have gained acclaim for their fresh approach to wine. Hodge’s efforts were recognised when he was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year at the Southwark Business Awards. Now also a wine…

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 concept of ‘terroir’, shines through in this compact book. Kramer, a regular contributor to Wine Spectator, has spent his career examining wine’s complexities and subtleties. He’s a wine thinker and isn’t afraid to challenge entrenched ideas, from questioning the manipulation of wine competitions to examining…

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 globally. His informal, conversational tone invites readers in, making this book accessible and engaging for beginners, yet still valuable for those with a seasoned palate. At first glance, How to Drink Wine is surprisingly compact, especially for a book written by someone with Tom’s experience.…

‘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 change in title is apt, as the book is less about dry historical facts and more about the captivating tales and anecdotes from different periods in the world of wine. The book is structured around years or periods, with each segment covering approximately two pages…

“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 & Wine and wine and spirits editor for Travel + Leisure, brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique voice to the subject. The book is a departure from the usual focus on mass-produced and corporate-owned wines. Instead, Isle turns the spotlight on artisanal wines that…

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. The breadth and depth of the content are further enriched by the expertise of over one hundred new contributors. Their diverse backgrounds span a myriad of fields, from viticulture and oenology to the more esoteric realms of culture, religion, and history. This ensures that the…

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 humour, curiosity, and scepticism, Bosker investigates this unique culture by looking into underground tasting groups, high-end New York City restaurants, mass-market wine factories in California, and even employing neuroscience technology. Her quest to understand the importance of wine leads to discoveries that might change the…

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 deconstructs the intricate topic of wine science, revealing the principles behind various processes and the debates that surround their usage. The book is split into three parts focusing on the vineyard, the winery and the human relationship with wine. Goode covers the substantial progress in…