Wine Book Reviews

A book review of “Firing Blancs”

by  |  12-10-2020

I mention it often as it seems an unchanging fact, but fiction in wine writing is a rare beast. Quality fiction is something even rarer. And being able to write a sequel is but the... more »

A book review of “The Cocktail Dictionary”

by  |  14-09-2020

Lord knows we’re not suffering from a short supply of cocktail books these days. While “The Savoy Cocktail Book” from forever and ago was one of the main references in this field, we’re now amidst... more »

A book review of “English Wine”

by  |  01-09-2020

Four years ago, during the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium in Brighton, England, I attended an English still wine tasting led by Oz Clarke. It was fascinating to see the state of the increasingly-popular English... more »

A book review of “Platter’s South African Wine Guide 2020”

by  |  12-08-2020

South Africa has been having a tough go of it recently in terms of alcohol but especially when it comes to the wine industry. I made a video a few weeks back expecting it to... more »

A book review of “Brut Force”

by  |  05-08-2020

Last year I reviewed the first book in the Felix Hart series of novels called, “Corkscrew”. My review was admittedly not too kind as while the book was a fun, lighthearted take down of the... more »

A book review of “The Goode Guide to Wine”

by  |  08-07-2020

“The Goode Guide to Wine” is the newest book from long-time wine blogger, prolific and well-regarded British author, Jamie Goode that sees release in September. Having a PhD in plant biology, most of his books... more »

A book review of “Beyond Flavour”

by  |  19-06-2020

It’s incredible to think that the act of blind wine tasting has gone from a state of complete oblivion by the public at large to now being one the niftiest, wowiest party tricks one can... more »

A book review of “Women Winemakers: Personal Odysseys”

by  |  14-05-2020

We’re at a point in time, where anyone who pulls out the “Some women in wine!” listicle on International Women’s Day needs to be shamed. Actually I take that back, they need to be pilloried... more »

Reviews of wine books for every occasion

by  |  23-04-2020

A fine pub quiz fact is that William Shakespeare and Cervantes both died on April 23rd, albeit in different years. But this coincidence, as well as others, eventually set the stage for World Book Day... more »

A book review of “Sherry. Maligned, Misunderstood, Magnificent!”

by  |  07-04-2020

Watching a webinar on Sherry recently, the host made the most salient, yet cutting of opening comments, “Like most people in the wine trade, you probably all love Sherry but despite this, it’s a tough... more »