Academie du Vin Library Ltd – serie

"The Cynic's Guide to Wine, by Sunny Hodge… is one of the best wine books I have read in a long while." — Yorkshire Post"All in all it's a very useful and enjoyable read..." — Life“…if you are remotely curious about the science of wine, this is an excellent guide. I found myself questioning some of my own beliefs, and while I may not be ready to discard them, “The Cynic’s Guide to Wine” is a timely reminder of the importance of skepticism in all facets of wine.” — NY Times Much of what is written about wine, whether in wine books, on bottle labels or in the Sunday supplements uses language that gives wine an air of mystery. While compelling and enticing for the consumer this can also lead to confusion regarding the science of wine as well as fear on the part of the inexperienced wine drinker of ‘getting wine wrong’. In The Cynic’s Guide to Wine Sunny Hodge strips wine back to its basic science and unravels the facts behind wine flavours, showing readers a clear path through the verbiage. The text takes in elements of horticulture, soil science, botany and sensory science as well as oenology and is provided in bite-sized chunks aimed at the curious non-scientist. This is a straightforward and eye-opening book for anybody who has ever wanted to question the stories told around wine but was afraid to ask. The wine book all novice wine drinkers need: strips away the pretension and explains what really matters when it comes to producing the flavours in your glass of wine.Questions many of the things we take for granted when it comes to wine, from terroir to the science of wine making.Author is the award-winning owner of two London wine bars who has earned a reputation as a disruptor in the wine trade.

"This compact book is a real treat... Unlike so many wine books, Pressing Matters is genuinely readable – so much so that I devoured it in a matter of days." — DecanterPressing Matters explains the fundamental debates in wine, from terroir, production and farming, to tasting, wine’s cultural significance and the economic value of wine. By focusing on wine through the prism of the key fights within each topic, the book presents readers with a story that includes the messiness, human fragility and disagreement about core principles that so often gets skipped at the outset of wine knowledge. The book fairly showcases all sides of the most important debates in wine today, giving the available evidence as well as commenting on what we don’t know. Aimed at those just starting on their wine journey, Pressing Matters is a lively and thoroughly researched history of all the key current wine controversies, written by an author with wine making in his blood, who knows the wine business from the inside.- Lays out the key current wine controversies in a way that is easily accessible for the non-scientist and those new to wine literature.- Examines the evidence from experts on both sides of each argument to allow readers to make up their own minds on current hot topics in wine.- Goes behind the label to explain the buzz words, trends and wine speak used by the wine media.- Helps readers see clearly today’s bigger wine picture in order to make better informed wine-buying decisions.- Author is active within the wine scene in California and beyond, and a popular speaker at wine events.

"Wine lovers who have pondered the answers to questions like “Why is red wine red?” and “Why do people perceive wines differently?” will appreciate this book." — Wall Street Journal"...one of those rare books that will make you think differently next time you open a bottle of wine"— Club O“... Gus Zhu MW has written a fascinating – and easy to follow – guide to the way in which chemistry, biology, physics, genetics and winemaking interact to not only create the great diversity seen in today’s world of wine, but also shape our ability to taste, understand and appreciate these wines.” — Natasha Hughes MW, wine and food writer“A lively, readable exploration of the science behind the taste of wine... It’s not easy bringing wine chemistry to life, but Gus knows his stuff and presents it in an easily digestible read.” — Dr Jamie Goode, author of Wine Science and Flawless"For those whose interest in wine has evolved beyond the simply sip phase, Behind the Glass would be a good first place to look for answers to some fundamental questions." — The World of Fine WineIn Behind the Glass readers will discover the science involved in wine tasting and learn why wine tastes the way it does. Wine is chemically very complex, while sensory appreciation can be subjective, meaning that our perception of wine is multi-layered. Behind the Glass is aimed at the non-scientist curious wine lover or wine professional and uses flavour chemistry and sensory science to help readers understand what is going on when they taste a glass of wine. The book is divided into three sections, on the visual appreciation of wine, the taste of wine on the palate and the smell of wine, and explains the chemical and sensory aspects of each. The text is illuminated by accompanying graphics. The book concludes with six pairs of wines to taste, to allow readers to put into practice the ideas explored in the book. By understanding more fully the chemical and sensorial aspects of wine tasting readers will equip themselves to better appreciate each glass of wine they taste.

“Who better to supply us with our first comprehensive historical survey than the wine writer with the magic pen, Hugh Johnson?” - Jancis Robinson MWHugh Johnson has led the literature of wine in many new directions over a 60-year career. His classic The Story of Wine is his most enthralling and enduring work, winner of every wine award in the UK and USA. It tells with wit, scholarship and humour how wine became the global phenomenon it is today, varying from mass-produced plonk to rare bottles fetching many thousands. It ranges from Noah to Napa, Pompeii to Prohibition to Pomerol, gripping, anecdotal, personal, controversial and fun. This new edition includes Hugh’s view on the changes wine has seen in the past 30 years.In his Foreword the celebrated historian Andrew Roberts writes: "The genius of The Story of Wine derives from the fact that it is emphatically not a dry-as-dust academic history – there are dozens of those – but an adventure story, full of mysteries, art and culture.’

"A charming, entertaining, and illuminating read – not only for all those in or around the wine trade, but also for all those outside who want to see in to what makes it so special. " - Neil Beckett, Editor, World of Fine WineThe memoirs of a wine trade insider, from the heady days of 1960s to today. Quickly discovering that a knowledge of wine opened doors that were closed to lesser mortals, Ben had a front row seat as the wine trade grew from an elitist and rather amateurish profession into a multi-million dollar global business. This is the story of how it happened, and of the many remarkable characters he befriended along the way – people whose marketing genius was matched only by their desire to put a smile on everyone’s faces. In true vinous style, Ben’s book is sure to do the same.Plumbing the depths: - Ben’s valiant attempts to sell wine to beer-loving miners, which involved actually joining them at the coal face.- Englishman abroad: a jolly jaunt through French châteaux, Spanish bodegas and Portuguese quintas, where Ben forged many of the friendships that would last a lifetime.- Serious business: Ben’s career takes off during the golden age of wine and spirits marketing, when he played a part bringing many of the world-famous brands we know and love today into being.

Michael Broadbent, wine critic, writer, auctioneer and much-admired expert revolutionised the wine trade with his first edition of Wine Tasting in 1968 and has continued to capture the magic of wine for over 50 years, bringing it to the page and to the public in compelling detail, always tinged with his uniquely wry sense of humour.Michael’s original text (from the 1975 edition) updated with the latest vintages and footnotes revealing Michael’s reactions to the changing wine scene.Personal tributes to Michael from Hugh Johnson OBE, Jancis Robinson OBE MW, Steven Spurrier, the late Gerard Basset OBE MW MS, and international wine auctioneers Paul Bowker and Fritz Hatton.“He had added what the wine trade had lacked; a veneer of scholarship, and a dealer of genius.” – Hugh Johnson “A must read” – Ian Harris, CEO of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust

An elegantly bound collection of fine wine writing past and present – the perfect gift for wine lovers everywhere (or the wine lovers in their life).With contributions from Michael Broadbent on good and bad vintages, Ian Maxwell Campbell on Bordeaux vs Burgundy, George Orwell and PG Wodehouse on the complementary pleasures of wine and tea, Randall Grahm on the search for California’s ‘magic grape’ and Andrew Caillard MW on the art of the wine label, it brims with wit and wisdom from some of the most erudite wine writers ever to raise a glass.Also includes Steven Spurrier, Jason Tesauro, Jane MacQuitty, Giles MacDonogh, Philippe de Rothschild, Fiona Morrison MW, Dan Keeling, Charles Walter Berry and many more.Like Cyril Ray’s classic Compleat Imbiber before it, In Vino Veritas might rightfully be described as ‘the quintessential late-evening or bedtime book for those who like wine'.‘Denied wine’s bridge to gregariousness, “cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in to saucy doubts and fears,” as Macbeth once complained, we need an antidote, and rummaging around in this anthology of wine writing is a good one: It’s a set of keys to open the windows and let some sun shine in.’ - World of Fine Wine

Peter Vinding-Diers is a Danish aristocrat turned roving winemaker who, on escaping his studies at the Sorbonne one summer found himself on Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, suddenly besotted. Peter’s first foray into wine took him to the Cape (via a quick turn parachuting into the war-zone in Vietnam), where he learned vineyard ways and wine science. Next came a dazzling decade in Bordeaux, where his pioneering exploits began to catch the world’s attention. He then ventured to Bulgaria, Brazil, Spain, Chile and Hungary earning himself the title ‘Flying Winemaker’ (he was one of the first!). Along his wine journey, Peter has frequently had to call on his Viking ancestors for help – not least in taming his ‘Montecarrubo’ vineyards on the wilder side of Sicily – but whether by accident or by design (mostly the latter), he has always found himself at the forefront of vinous discovery…

"This book takes in his introduction to wine – at the age of three! – through his continued travels and championing of New World wines when they were less fashionable." — Matthew Nugent, The Irish Sun“You can feel Oz Clarke’s expansive, chatty presence in every sentence” — Telegraph"Frankly, it's the best and most entertaining wine read I've had in years." —Tom Doorley, The Irish Mail"You can never have too much of his captivating enthusiasm and rich knowledge and this is him at his best." — Waitrose magazine"A rollicking good read." — Sommelier IndiaThere have never been so many delicious and original wines in the world, and to discover them, all you need is a glass in your hand and Oz Clarke – the ideal wine companion. With his inimitable sense of adventure and fun, Oz explains how his fascination with flavour led him to abandon a promising acting career and follow his heart from Chablis to ‘the lost Himalayan valleys of Yunnan’ in pursuit new taste experiences and wine thrills. He found them! Oz Clarke On Wine takes us on a fast-paced, witty romp around the grape varieties key to the world’s major wine styles, then explores the vineyards and regions where a vast trove of wine treasure lies waiting for discovery. Oz’s passion for sharing, his deep wine knowledge, and his ability to conjure up the wine world’s most beautiful landscapes, make this book the most unputdownable wine read this century.Includes:How Oz fell in love with wine: from his first dramatic encounter on a river-bank (aged three), to his post-performance tasting tales (after ‘governing Argentina’ as General Perón in the hit show EvitaOz explains how global warming affects what we drink today, and the new styles we can expect ‘tomorrow’Organic and Biodynamic wines, Oz’s favourite fizzThe world’s best-tasting wines, from Aconcagua to Okanagan, from Patagonia to east Yorkshire…, and wines to enjoy, from budget to blue chip… For sipping and savouring now. Or to age and enjoy in 10, 20, 30-years’ time…

“With over 3,000 years of history behind it, the future of Sherry lies in its past. Sommeliers admire it for its many varieties and Ben Howkins’ book will tell you why.” – Steven Spurrier"Here Ben Howkins approaches his subject with passion and flair, bringing to life the vineyards, the bodegas, the wines and the history of the region with a light and entertaining touch." – Matthew Nugent, The Irish SunMade in a unique way, matured in cellars dating back to the age of the Conquistadores, and bursting with a panoply of sun-drenched flavours, Sherry has – due to a succession of scandals and bad luck in the 1970s – been maligned and misunderstood. But the Sherry scene is set for seismic change. With a series of new styles, new vineyards and a dynamic new crop of cellar masters, this wine is creating a revolution in the world’s restaurants that can’t be ignored. Ben Howkins, in colourful words and equally evocative pictures, delves deep into Sherry’s fascinating story and reveals why it is set to come back into our lives with a magnificent flourish!

"Veteran wine books are by modern standards short on facts." — Decanter Magazine"This is an inspirational book well worth your time." — Eric Asimov on Instagram"If you want to learn about wine, switch off your phone, buy these two books and enjoy them with a nice glass of something." — The Critic"This is a don’t-miss book for people who plan their travels around vineyards." — Washington Post"This is one of the best books on wine ever written." — Sommelier IndiaIn this unique approach to understanding wine, Hugh Johnson, the world’s best-loved wine author, weaves the story of his own epic wine journey with an embracing view of everything he has discovered along the way. Almost without realising it, the reader is drawn into a fascinating world; with each page turned, knowledge is gained and wine wisdom absorbed. Hugh takes us from the teetering ledges of the Mosel and majestic châteaux of the Médoc to the sylvan slopes of Windsor Great Park with a spring in his step and a tasting glass at the ready.No one writes so infectiously on every aspect of wine, whether human or cultural, technical or historical. This book is peppered with anecdotes and personal recollections, infused with the sheer delight Hugh finds in his subject. It is a book with a story to tell and a mastery of wine to impart.Previously published as Wine, A Life Uncorked 2005, now updated with new chapters.

"An entrancing companion for wine lovers. Celebratory, discerning writing with all the variety and unexpectedness of the wines explored."  — Michèle Roberts, author and Emeritus Professor of Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia"This book is about feeling, tasting and describing the beauty of wine, as well as understanding the intensity of emotion that wine can engender." — Decanter Magazine"So precise and dancing, so chiselled and so free, as complex and delicious as your favourite bottle of wine, you will enjoy the world of wine differently after reading through Jefford’s words." — Pascaline Lepeltier on Instagram“A new sort of literary gumption arrived on the scene with Andrew Jefford; a powerful blend of science and poetry. Here is a writer who does his interviews, delves deep into motives and methods, and then lets fly with whatever imagery he finds winging by.” Hugh Johnson (2019)Poet, philosopher, author, radio presenter and journalist, Andrew Jefford lives in France; but buried deep in one wine country what does he miss most about the rest? The answer: “Drinking young port. It’s the wine drinker’s equivalent of zorbing, wing-walking, base-jumping … you won’t fully understand it unless you have tasted it young, in its ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ stage, when it comes hurtling out of the glass and puts the screamers on you...”Andrew is the ideal companion for anyone wine-curious. In this collection of his essays, opinions and articles he shares his fascinating observations from half a century of discovery. For Andrew, wine should be listened to and admired, wherever it comes from; old-school pretentions turned on their head; style-points disdained; stellar prices dismissed; questions asked...

"From a historical point of point, the book is fascinating... From a literary point of view, it’s eloquent ... If you’re a Bordeaux wine collector with deep pockets and a large cellar, it’s invaluable."  —Tamlyn Currin, Jancis Robinson"Associations and societies such as the Bordeaux Club are the very acme of civilization. Botticelli and Bach were engaged in the eternal quest for truth and beauty in painting and music, and the Bordeaux Club did the same for viniculture." — Andrew Roberts"For lovers of claret - indeed, all wine - this can only be described as a drool-inducing book." — World of Fine WineThe story of 12 friends who gathered to share and celebrate the extraordinary wines of Bordeaux. Like-minded in their love of wine, they differed wildly (often alarmingly!) in their personal wealth, life and circumstances – their opinions, always voiced, had the power to ignite anger and divide friendships just as easily as they bound them together. Neil McKendrick, member and minute-taker for 57 of the Club’s 70 extraordinary years, weaves the tale of this convivial group with the rigour of a Cambridge academic (he is ex-Master of Gonville and Caius) and the humour of a born raconteur. Alongside the likes of Hugh Johnson, Steven Spurrier and Michael Broadbent, he celebrates the beauty of top-class Bordeaux and the splendour of each setting – from glorious country park to rickety Dickensian boardroom – in which these men were lucky enough to dine, serving up memories of vintages the like of which we will never see again.

“A new sort of literary gumption arrived on the scene with Andrew Jefford; a powerful blend of science and poetry. Here is a writer who does his interviews, delves deep into motives and methods, and then lets fly with whatever imagery he finds winging by.” Hugh Johnson (2019)Poet, philosopher, author, radio presenter and journalist, Andrew Jefford lives in France; but buried deep in one wine country what does he miss most about the rest? The answer: “Drinking young port. It’s the wine drinker’s equivalent of zorbing, wing-walking, base-jumping … you won’t fully understand it unless you have tasted it young, in its ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ stage, when it comes hurtling out of the glass and puts the screamers on you...”Andrew is the ideal companion for anyone wine-curious. In this collection of his essays, opinions and articles he shares his fascinating observations from half a century of discovery. For Andrew, wine should be listened to and admired, wherever it comes from; old-school pretensions turned on their head; style-points disdained; stellar prices dismissed; questions asked...

Monikermon·ick·er / [ mon-i-ker ]a person's name, especially a nickname or alias.“In the street art world everyone is equal and they don't wait for official approval. They are artists in every sense of the word, whether they are painting in their own backyard or a huge illegal mural on the street for all the world to see.” Frankie Shea“Moniker Art Fair has caused a stir internationally by providing an art fair environment for the sort of work normally overlooked by the traditional art world.” Katie Antoniou, Run-RiotThis groundbreaking platform dismantles the elitist barriers prevalent in the art world, offering artists an unbiased space to showcase their creations. This book reflects on Moniker’s impressive saga, from upstart art fair to critical support infrastructure for the urban art community. For that next generation of artistic outsiders, those who are pounding at the gates to be let in, Moniker can act as an inspiration. Few have done as much as Moniker to position urban art as accessible, historically significant, and exciting.

"White is funny, clever, brisk and talks on the page as if she’s sharing a glass with you ... a hard recommend for beginners, but also anyone who still wonders, for example, how and when to decant." — Victoria Moore, The Telegraph"Reading Kelli A White’s words is like chatting with a best friend who also happens to be a wine pro — it’s honest, engaging, entirely without pretension, totally relatable and utterly fascinating." — Club Enologique"Next time I’m asked about wine-breathing gadgets, I shall send the applicant straight to the Guide to Wine Gear section of Kelli A White’s new book Wine Confident: There’s No Wrong Way To Enjoy Wine..." —  Telegraph"For those becoming interested in wine but unsure of how to proceed, this is a terrific book." — NY TimesKelli White loves every aspect of wine (‘especially the science-y bits’) and wants to ignite the same kind of passion in her readers. Here, she introduces the many ways in which we can taste it, talk it, appreciate it, choose it, understand it, and navigate its enjoyment with confidence. There are countless ways to engage with wine. If you are a history buff, it has a multi-thousand-year story to plumb. A lover of language and travel? Wine is being made in more countries than ever before and on every continent (except Antarctica). A foodie? Wine is a natural companion to food, and the two can interact in unexpectedly thrilling ways. For those who have fallen in love with wine already, this book is an imaginative and practical guide to embarking on its greatest adventures. For those who haven’t yet, it is the spark to light the fuse…

"It’s such a good read…" — Decanter"Rocks and soils haunt our thinking about wine. We see links, sniff origins, taste connections, digest differences. Is this cause and effect -- or fantasy? Alex Maltman is ghostbuster-in-chief. This wide-ranging and clearly reasoned book shines a torch through the cobwebs." — Andrew Jefford“Beautifully illustrated and written in clear, thoughtful prose, the book opens up the idea of terroir in a way that feels fresh and approachable.” —Forbes“A rich lode of knowledge, confronting lazy tropology. Maltman has a way of writing that snaps with authority, makes you pay attention ..." —Jancis RobinsonBurgundy thrives on the limestone remnants of a warm, shallow sea while Sancerre and Pouilly wrap their roots around flint. The finest Pomerols bloom in a ‘button’ of blue clay, and Beaujolais famously begins life in granite. Cabernet Sauvignon loves just about any sandstone and Champagne gets on gloriously with chalk. But is the secret to great port really schist? Alex Maltman, Emeritus Professor of earth sciences at Aberystwyth University, finds himself between a rock and a vineyard place as he explains how a wine’s flavours relate to the geology at foot, and discovers that there is more to ‘minerality’ than mud, rocks and the earth’s stark materials... Terroir is as intrinsic to the quality of a wine as the grapes it comes from or the intentions of the wine maker. This beautifully produced and illustrated book looks at the many factors that influence, or don't, how a wine tastes. Professor Maltman poses lots of questions and answers, while busting some myths along the way.

“It's a necessary conversation starter about what's on the horizon for the wine world, and a roadmap for drinkers who want to align their values with their purchasing.” — Forbes "As their absorbing book reveals, “climatic challenges” were a major contributor to plummeting levels of wine production that last year saw the global total drop to its lowest level since 1961... Masters and Neather outline many ways in which the industry can adapt to, and fight, climate change." — Financial Times“Rooted in Change is a courageous, groundbreaking, hope-filled piece of work. It gives every one of us a practical starting point. And it is a gift to all of us in the wine industry and to anyone who loves wine and cares about the planet.” — Jancis Robinson“A cork tree will be harvested around 17 times over the 200-year span of its life; around one quarter of the glass recycled in the UK is simply crushed for aggregate. These are two of many facts I learnt from this dense yet lucid book which pulls the curtain to show the pragmatic side of wine we rarely think about.” — TelegraphThis is a compelling new book focused on the intersection of wine and sustainability. It will explore the most urgent issues facing the wine industry today, from climate change and resource management to evolving consumer expectations, offering a rich blend of tradition and innovation to inspire a sustainable future for winemaking.Wine regions around the world, from the vineyards of Bordeaux to the valleys of California, are grappling with the undeniable effects of climate change. Record-breaking temperatures, extreme weather patterns, and resource scarcity are pressing the industry to rethink how it operates. As wineries increasingly embrace sustainable farming methods—from water conservation strategies to regenerative viticulture practices—the book will take readers through a comprehensive exploration of these pioneering approaches. The book will feature a mix of expert commentary, in-depth case studies, and engaging storytelling that illustrates how sustainability is being embraced across the global wine community—from regenerative farming practices at Tablas Creek in California to innovative water management strategies in Australia’s Barossa Valley.Appealing to a wide range of readers, from those in the sustainability industry to other sectors, both agricultural and broader product manufacturing sectors.

"One of the world’s greatest authorities on wine." - Raymond Blanc OBE "The finest nose in Europe." - Daily Telegraph"A true wine legend who gave so much to so many, both personally and professionally." - Decanter"The godfather of British sommeliers … he was not just universally respected, but universally loved." - ImbibeGérard Basset was one of the most influential and authoritative sommeliers of his, or any, generation. Tasting Victory charts Gérard’s astronomical career in his own words. It recounts in detail how he managed to earn his unprecedented sequence of qualifications. He was one of the first individuals to hold the famously difficult Master of Wine qualification simultaneously with Master Sommelier and an MBA in Wine Business. But it is his pursuit of the most important award of all that forms the core of this book – how, at his seventh attempt, Gérard Basset was crowned the Best Sommelier of the World. This memoir is also a record of how fine dining in England grew from stale and unexciting to world-leading. Above all, it’s about succeeding against great odds: when he was diagnosed with cancer, Gérard responded in typical fashion, by deciding to write Tasting Victory, which he completed shortly before his death in January 2019.- Autobiography of a true legend and much-missed character in the world of wine.- Inspirational life story of a rise to prominence from modest beginnings.-Updated commemorative edition with chapters from Gérard’s widow, Nina, and son, Romané, exploring Gérard’s legacy in the six years since his death.- Features memories of Gérard from major figures within the wine world.

"Keevil, Preston and Ireland have done a magnificent job. Beautifully designed and put together in every way, this handsome coffee-table-sized hardback book is a fitting tribute to the world’s most game-changing wine tasting." —Tamlyn CurrinParis, May 1976. A young Englishman and an American journalist decide that California’s emerging wine stars should be better known in France. They set up an expert panel to blind taste them against the best of Bordeaux and Burgundy and, contrary to every expectation, the California wines emerge triumphant. The wine world was shocked to its core...The tasting came to be known as ‘The Judgement of Paris’; it was the trigger for California’s winemakers to grow in confidence and stature – and it allowed other ‘pretenders’ to make their claim to the French wine throne. 50 years on, this book takes stock.- Warren Winiarski of Stag’s Leap shares the journey of the winning wine- Profiles and tasting notes of the competing wines – plus, stunning photography of the wineries then (1970s) and now...- The Response from Bordeaux: was losing to California all bad?- Interview with Steven Spurrier and Patricia Gallagher: did they know they were stirring up something big?- Was it all a Storm in a Parisian Wine Glass? ... or just 1970s clickbait?- The JOP in Context: seven other events that shook the wine world- Aubert de Villaine (Domaine de la Romanée-Conti), Jasper Morris MW, David Gleave MW, Jane MacQuitty, William Kelley (Wine Advocate), John Williams (Frog’s Leap), Hugh Johnson, Jancis Robinson MW, Karen MacNeil, Jane Anson (and many more) on what the JOP means for the wine in our glass...- The Judgements that Followed: Chile vs Bordeaux, Champagne vs Franciacorta, Sonoma vs Burgundy...- Presented as a beautiful, cloth-bound commemorative edition with rare archive photography and colour images