Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2025

Hugh Johnson has led the world of wine writing in many new directions over the six decades since his first book, Wine, was published in 1966. The World Atlas of Wine, his Wine Companion (now in its sixth edition), the annual Pocket Wine Book (since 1977), The Story of Wine, following a 13-part TV series, and his memoirs, A Life Uncorked, have all been bestsellers. In 2004, Hugh was made a Chevalier of the Ordre National du Mérite by President Chirac, and in 2007, he was awarded an OBE for services to winemaking and horticulture, two of his great passions. Margaret Rand has been general editor of Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book for some 15 years and now, with Hugh's retirement, has taken over the hot seat. The book's mix of personal insight and informed recommendations have made it the world's best-selling annual wine book.Margaret Rand's curiosity about wine started several decades ago and led her to a career of writing about wine and editing wine magazines, with the occasional foray into whisky. Her books include Grapes & Wines and 101 Wines to Try Before You Die; she also writes regularly for The World of Fine Wine, timatkin.com and winesearcher.com. When she's not writing about wine she's probably walking, reading, or in the kitchen, cooking.