5 Must-Read Books for Sommeliers
If you’re a sommelier looking to improve your knowledge of wine, you’ve come to the right place. From comprehensive guides on pairing food with wine to more specialized looks at vintages from specific regions, these books will help broaden your understanding of the wonderful world of fermented grapes. Whether you’re an experienced sommelier or just getting started in the field, consider picking up one (or all!) of these five must-read books.
The Oxford Companion to Wine by Jancis Robinson
This book is widely considered the definitive guide to everything related to wine. It contains over 6,000 entries that cover everything from regional wines and grape varieties to winemaking techniques and terminology.
With contributions from some of the leading names in the wine industry, The Oxford Companion to Wine is a great resource for anyone looking for a comprehensive overview of the world of wine.
About the Author
Jancis Robinson, OBE, Master of Wine, was voted Wine Writers' Writer by her peers in The Observer. First-person outside the wine trade to pass the Master of Wine exams, she is now the Financial Times wine columnist and writes for publications in ten countries on five continents. She wrote and presented the 10-part Jancis Robinson's Wine Course in the late 1990s. Her website www.jancisrobinson.com has over 70 countries as subscribers. Julia Harding, a Master of Wine, studied modern languages at Cambridge. She earned intermediate and advanced Wine and Spirit Education Trust certificates and a diploma in the late 1990s before joining Waitrose in 2001. Julia received the Robert Mondavi Award for best theory papers and the Tim Derouet Memorial Prize for exam and dissertation excellence in 2004. As Jancis Robinson's full-time assistant, she coordinated and copy-edited the third edition of The Oxford Companion to Wine's enology and viticulture entries.
Introductory Sommelier Course 2019 Workbook
The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas Introductory Course Workbook is an educational resource and guide that helps students focus their studies in preparation for and before attending the Introductory Course and Exam. It is designed to assist students in preparing for and attending the Introductory Course and Exam. The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, published this workbook with the intention and purpose of fulfilling this requirement.
Introductory Sommelier Course Workbook
About the Author
Melissa Monosoff is a Culinary Institute of America graduate who has worked as a cook, sommelier, bartender, and beverage director in Philadelphia's top restaurants. The Fountain Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel, Striped Bass, and Savona in Gulph Mills, PA, manages a 1200-selection wine list and a well-known beer and cocktail program. Melissa is the CMS Education Director.
She became the 17th female Master Sommelier in the world in February 2010. Her love of wine and beer has earned her accolades. Philadelphia Magazine twice named her "Best Sommelier." She was named one of America's "Best Young Sommeliers" and nominated for "Outstanding Wine Service" by the James Beard Foundation.
The World Atlas of Wine by Hugh Johnson & Jancis Robinson
The World Atlas of Wine 8th Edition
This classic has been updated several times since its original publication in 1971 but remains one of the most respected sources on global viticulture today. The World Atlas of Wine looks at winemaking regions worldwide in detail while providing general information about grape varieties and winemaking techniques used throughout history. This book is perfect for those who want to learn more about how different countries have contributed to our collective knowledge about viticulture over time.
Perfect Pairings: A Master Sommelier’s Practical Advice for Partnering Wine with Food
Perfect Pairings: A Master Sommelier’s Practical Advice for Partnering Wine with Food
Evan Goldstein, a well-known Master Sommelier, and respected restaurant business veteran, offers straightforward, useful advice in his book Perfect Pairings on how to pair wine with each meal. Perfect Pairings is the go-to resource for pairing wine and food. It serves as a cookbook and introduces wine terminology and wine-growing regions. This multifunctional coffee table book includes 58 paired recipes created by renowned chef Joyce Goldstein to highlight each type of wine.
In-depth analyses of twelve grape varieties, sparkling wines, and dessert wines are combined with suggestions for foods that complement the various styles of each grape variety in Perfect Pairings. No matter whether the Pinot Noir is fruity and tropical, aged and mature, rich, buttery, and oak-infused, Goldstein explains how to pair it with foods that will make the wine sing. His straightforward, enlightening, and entertaining approach to challenging gastronomical questions provides knowledge for both professional and novice chefs alike.
Wine Simple: A Totally Approachable Guide from a World-Class Sommelier
Aldo Sohm is the best-known sommelier. Even though he was the wine director at the three-Michelin-starred Le Bernardin for over a decade and worked with Eric Ripert, he has a more laid-back approach to wine. Wine Simple, Aldo's first book, contains infographics and pictures. It has lots of information, encouragement, and strong wine opinions to help you form your own. Wine Simple is easy to understand, informative, and lively. It shows Aldo's passion and desire to teach.
This book begins with wine basics and practical advice. It covers varietals, winemaking regions, how to taste, when to save and spend, and home wine tastings. Aldo will teach you how to taste wine better. He discusses how to make a "flavor library," find good and great vintages, why you shouldn't risk everything for them, fix tricky wines (corked? mousy? ), and how to saber a bottle of champagne. This book's easy-to-read style will inspire people to taste better, drink more daringly, and dive headfirst into the world of wine.
Conclusion: Regardless of whether you’re new or experienced in this field, any one (or several) of these five books would make for excellent additions to your home library! They offer valuable insights into why certain regions are known for certain styles or varietals while also providing practical tips for enjoying them once they arrive at your table or shop shelves! Pick up anyone (or several) today – you won't regret it!
