Annual Wine Book Gift Guides and round ups have become as ubiquitous as Thanksgiving wine posts, but still, I think anything that involves books and wine and is a worthy pursuit at any time of year, not just the holidays. Here are my 2015 wine book selections for gifting or keeping. Note: All books mentioned in this post were sent to me as review copies except Hungry for Wine which I downloaded on my Kindle and paid for myself. Links are to Amazon, but please consider ordering or purchasing from your local independent bookstore.
Wine Folly The Essential Guide to Wine -- Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammack Whether you are new to wine or a seasoned pro, you’re bound to enjoy this new book that presents complex information in clear and engaging visuals. It’s fun, accessible, and essential. Based on the award winning website of the same name, Wine Folly covers everything from wine tasting basics to the style and characteristics of individual wines with detailed maps of wine regions. Indispensable for winning those wine related arguments that occur at mealtime. Or is that just in my household? Regardless this book will make a great addition to your wine library.
The Wine Bible 2nd Edition -- Karen MacNeil
Anything that calls itself the Bible has got its work cut out, but this comprehensive tome takes a swing at it and scores a homer. I’m glad to see the Okanagan in BC, Canada is represented here and one of my favorite Viognier’s by Liquidity Wines is featured. So what’s that saying... Great Minds Think Alike? Well, in this case I’d say it’s Great Palates Drink Alike.
Wine Trails * 52 Perfect Weekends in Wine Country - Lonely Planet
I’ve been harping on about the need for dedicated travel guides to wine regions for many years now and glad to see Lonely Planet finally got my memo. It’s light on providing any in-depth regional information, but perfect to use as a guide for pre-trip planning. One glaring omission in my opinion is the Canada section only offers Ontario. Where is my beloved Okanagan??? Also, no Croatia?!? What’s up with that? But it hits the right notes in many other spots regarding winery recommendations and dining options. Nicely designed and laid out. Great for arm-chair travel and dreaming.
Hungry for Wine : Seeing the World Through the Lens of a Wine Glass- Cathy Huyghe
Not your typical wine book, by not your typical wine writer. Cathy Huyghe gathers the stories about her wine journey and the people and places that made her “hungry” to dig deeper, observe and explore. A blend of travelogue, how-to-guide, tasting note journal, and manifesto; Huyghe’s compelling narrative will leave you hungering to examine the threads of your own wine discovery and weave them into your own story.
Thirsty Dragon: China’s Lust for Bordeaux and the Threat to the World’s Best Wines --Suzanne Mustacich
Ever since I watched the film Red Obsession, I’ve been rather obsessed myself with what’s going on in the world of ultra premium wine and the inherent drama of Old World Wine vs New Money of China. The book details how the wine merchants of Bordeaux hitched their wagon to the fortunes of China and the clash of cultures that ensue. It reads like every non-fiction book should, as if it were fiction--gripping and informative that at times borders on the unbelievable.
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Bonus Stocking Stuffer Gift Idea--
DripTeez. See my post on them here.
