It was a strong year for books on wine, including these recent releases that I’m recommending as potential gift ideas for the wine lovers on your list. There are two different approaches to understanding and appreciating wine that shed new and interesting light on the subject and a thoughtful collection of essays about the past, present and future of winemaking under the Tuscan sun.
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On Tuscany: From Brunello to Bolgheri, Wine Tales from the Heart of Italy, edited by Susan Keevil (Academie du Vin Library)
Following in the wake of On Bordeaux, On Burgundy and On California, this enjoyable book compiles articles about the evolution of Tuscan vineyards, with entertaining portraits of innovative winemakers and insightful commentary about the region and the wines by a who’s-who of regional experts, including Burton Anderson, Gerald Asher, Andrew Jefford, Hugh Johnson and Ruth Rogers.
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One Thousand Vines: A New Way to Understand Wine, Pascaline Lepeltier, (Mitchell Beazley)
Pascaline Lepeltier’s celebrated career as a sommelier, writer and winemaker (at Racines in the Finger Lakes) provides engaging fodder for One Thousand Wines: A New Way to Understand Wine. It’s the English translation of the Loire Valley native’s 2022 French edition, Mille Vignes, released in 2022, which carves her subject matter into three main parts: Reading Vines, Reading Landscapes and Reading Wines. Lepeltier, who was named Best Sommelier in France in 2018 and will participate in the upcoming ASI Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa & Middle East competition, comes at her subject matter from all sides: culture and tradition, basic principles of grape growing and winemaking, and climate and other natural factors (including soil microbes and the relationship between grape vines with each other and companion plants). The long-standing champion of organic, biodynamic and sustainably made wines also raises questions about the modern industry practices and why a thoughtful approach its cultivation and consumption matters.
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Wine Confident: There’s No Wrong Way to Enjoy Wine, Kelli A White (Academie du Vin Library)
As the no-nonsense title suggests, American sommelier turned wine educator Kelli White offers an enthusiastic and pragmatic approach to understanding the world of wine without making it seem frivolous. White shares behind-the-scenes tales from her own career path to usher newcomers and passionate amateurs deeper in wine appreciation. There are useful chapters on tasting and identifying different aromas and flavours, collecting and how to shop like a pro.
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