When food and wine is basically your religion (yes, I’m raising my hand), you want to keep learning about it. But isn’t it nice when your learning is accompanied by lots of fun, delight, fascination, and gratification?
I asked myself which of my food & wine books provide (almost) as much pleasure as wine and food itself. And this was the list I came up with.
What do I consider fun? Plenty of visual stimulation, strong personalities, journalistic storytelling, and passionate connoisseurship. These 12 food & wine books are full of these qualities:
This is the best of the bunch when it comes to wine guidebooks. It has plenty of humour and its diagrams are a hit with this visual learner.
Champagne: The Essential Guide to the Wines, Producers, and Terroirs of the Iconic Region
Wine guidebooks that come with maps are worth having, and this one is full of them. Plus, the story of champagne is undoubtedly a fascinating one. Is there any other wine that arouses such strong feelings?
This is a casual guide to confident drinking. Written by a journalist, it’s full of fascinating anecdotes and vivid attention to detail.
The History of Wine in 100 Bottles: From Bacchus to Bordeaux and Beyond
Once again: the maps are worth it. Wine books with maps are the best!
Then there are cookbooks. I recently perused mine and realized that most of my cookbook authors have more than one book in print. That means they’re good. And I mean– they really are! I can attest!
Food 52 is a fabulous community of food lovers. Their cookbook is awesome and so is their website! This is my go-to for any recipe I’m seeking; I usually find what I need or adjust something in this book to make an even better dish.
After you’ve been to this Thomas Keller approved Napa Valley restaurant, you will never look at a pork chop that same way again. (I speak from personal experience.) Brining is everything.
I appreciate this one because it’s relatable to my children in their early 20s. It’s a funny, sassy, clever take on eating healthfully and deliciously.
Seasonal, local, sustainably produced. Alice Waters, the author of this book, has been a trailblazer for these concepts. This book will inspire you and get you thinking.
This is one of the more essential food & wine books I can recommend. If you want to know how to season food– all food– to confidently get great results, read this book.
Famous East Hampton chef Ina Garten provides so much practical information for getting sumptuous, luxurious, decadent culinary results. Learn from her!
How delightful is Jamie Oliver? This book has 100 recipes that will just make you feel good.
Why not tuck one of these under the tree {we are just over 8 weeks away from Christmas} for your wine and foodie? Or else gift yourself a fun, immersive, and educational read about the things that make life truly delicious.
BIG LOVE!!
