The year’s coming to an end and as we close in on the holidays, I wanted to take a look back at my fave wine reads of the year. It’s not for me to say what books are the best or which ones you’ll enjoy the most, but here are four books that deliver the goods in different ways.
Best White Wine on Earth: The Riesling Story by Stuart Pigott
More than a story, this is a Riesling adventure with the guide of guides, Stuart Pigott. His love of Riesling is as clear and evident and it is undeniable. Just look at his unorthodox pre-release endeavor in which he drove with fellow Riesling Enthusiast Paul Grieco from the southern tip of Florida to New York City in a tasting room on wheels in a campaign to spread the love of Riesling. It’s more about passion for his favorite grape. This book was my primer into my first, personal summer of Riesling this past summer, and remains a trusty reference. Great to see such purity of content. See my full review here.
Shadows in the Vineyard by Maximillian Potter
This book, part mystery thriller and part Burgundian wine history, follows a plot to destroy vines in the vineyards of Domaine de La Romanée-Conti, maker of Burgundy’s finest wines and the “Cathedral” of French wine culture while providing an in-depth look at the rich history and characters that have made the Domaine what it is today. So well written and a unique find among the wine books of recent years. See my full review here.
Bordeaux: Legendary Wines by Michel Dovaz
This behemoth of an opus is just pure voyeuristic pleasure. With a deep dive into the history, winemaking, chateaus and vintages of the world’s most renowned wine-growing region, it pays homage to Bordeaux, which has – to be fair – taken a beating in recent years. The author also includes some delectable data on the wines that make a stats-fiend like me happy: there’s a maturation table, and information on the source of the wine, barrel use, and production size of the wine among other tidbits. See my full review here.
How to Love Wine: A Memoir and Manifesto by Eric Asimov
Written with love and eloquence, Eric Asimov leads us through his life in wine, simplifying wine and making his case for his view on and approach to wine along the way. It’s a book that can make you relax and enjoy wine without pretense and anxiety. And it’s such a pleasure to read. I took this book with me on a few adventures – from camping to seaplanes to an old Olympic flame, and my full review (with pics) is coming next week.