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Five Wine Books for Beginners to Start Your Wine Journey

When it comes to learning about wine, there is a plenty of wine books out there to choose from.

If you are a beginner who is fascinated about wine and want to learn about it, or maybe you just want to feel more confident when choosing wine for your next barbeque or a romantic dinner, this blog post is for you. I selected 5 wine books that will help you to choose wine with confidence and to drink with joy.

First three books are written by a new wave of young writers and are more for a beginner rather than for those seeking advanced wine knowledge. There is not so much professional terminology here, there are more images and practical advice, which you can start using in real life right away.

The last two belong to the classic school of wine writers. They are more comprehensive, but still easy and captivating to read. Enjoy and let me know if I should add more wine books to my list.

1. The New Wine Rules: A Genuinely Helpful Guide to Everything You Need to Know

by Jon Bonne

A firmly anti-snob book, a summary of the practical things you will need to incorporate wine into everyday life: how to figure out what you like, how to pick out a bottle for any occasion, how to store and drink wine. There isn’t much about grape varieties and wine growing regions here. Instead, the book will teach you how to drink with joy and never let go of your curiosity.

‘Wine is not something you need to learn about in classes or by chasing a pin or a diploma. Wine is something that becomes a part of your life in gradual, almost invisible steps.’ Jon Bonne

If it sounds more like you, this book is for you.

Buy The New Wine Rules: A Genuinely Helpful Guide to Everything You Need to Know by Jon Bonne at Amazon.

2. Wine. All the Time.: The Casual Guide to Confident Drinking 

 by Marissa Ross
Wine. All the Time by Marissa Ross
I love this girl, she’s funny and down to earth. She’s not a professional somm, but have been tasting and writing about wine for a while. I call her a wine comedian, who talks about wine in her signature comedic voice, with personal stories wisely incorporated into her wine lessons. Learn about wine and laugh along the way.

Buy Wine. All the Time.: The Casual Guide to Confident Drinking by Marissa Ross at Amazon.

3. Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine

by Madeline Puckette
Wine Folly essential Guide to wIne
If you love structure and your memory is predominantly visual, the infographic is the best way for you to learn about wine. Personally, I use www.winefolly.com a lot, when I need general information about grape varieties, wine countries, wine pairings etc., and I’m not sure I need the book. However, if you prefer to keep all these maps and schemes handy, get the book, it’s the best wine cheat sheet ever.

Buy Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine by Madeline Puckette at Amazon.

4. Great Wine Made Simple: Straight Talk from a Master Sommelier

by Andrea Immer Robinson
great wine made simple by andrea robinson
The name of the book talks for itself. Written by an experienced sommelier who taught thousand restaurant employees and wine enthusiasts, the book will teach you how to find quality wines in stores and restaurants by reading the label or wine list, how to ask for what you like, how to develop your palate, to understand different wine styles and of course to enjoy drinking wine. Great thing is that after every lesson there is a practical part. You will learn by actually tasting, which makes it easier to remember and brings your learning experience to a new level.

Buy Great Wine Made Simple: Straight Talk from a Master Sommelier by Andrea Robinson at Amazon.

5. Windows on the World Complete Wine Course: Revised and Expanded Edition

by Kevin Zraly
Windows on the world complete wine course by kevin zraly
If you feel like you are ready to move forward and try something more serious after you read one of the books listed above, get the Wine Course by Kevin Zraly – internationally acclaimed wine educator. Along with wine basics, you will learn about wine region-by-region, including Austria, Hungary, Greece, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, and Argentina. I recommend to get a kindle version, so you can have the book handy when traveling to your next wine destination. Very comprehensive and easy-to-read guide to wine.

Buy Windows on the World Complete Wine Course by Kevin Zraly at Amazon.

Like and share if you enjoyed reading and let me know in the comments if you would like me to add anything to this list.

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2 Comments

  1. Bobbye Bobbye August 19, 2018

    Thanks, it’s quite informative

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