Most parents struggle to get their kids to stop watching TV and read a book. Not mine! I used to get in trouble for staying up late reading books with a flashlight under the covers.
In those days it was Baby-Sitters Club and Sweet Valley High, but I’ve graduated to more adult topics (and beverages) since then. Pairing my love of reading with reading about wine, now that’s my cup of…wine!
Having scoured the internet, used bookstores, and my local library for any and all books even loosely related to fermented grape juice, I’ve compiled a list of my favorites written by women.
Whether you’re looking to learn more about wine, get an inside view into the world of a sommelier, or just want to read a good story, there’s sure to be something for you.
BTW, if you haven’t yet, make sure to grab my free Wine Tasting Planner. It has 20+ wine night theme ideas, including the exact ones I’ve used for my wine tastings. Plus, a timeline, food pairings, games, free printables, worksheets, and more. Get your copy here.
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Wine for Normal People, by Elizabeth Schneider
I was first introduced to Elizabeth through her podcast (of the same name as the book). Working in the wine industry, she struggled to get clear information on wine.
So, she decided to break out on her own and help people learn about wine in a fun, relatable way, without the snobbery that goes with it. Often recorded with her husband, who goes by the moniker MC Ice, the duo makes an entertaining pair and it’s super fun to listen to.
I had always had an interest in wine, but the podcast was a big part of sparking my desire to pursue it more seriously. When Elizabeth came out with the book, you better believe it was at the top of my Christmas list that year.
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The book is great for both beginners and those who have some wine knowledge. I even used it when I was studying for the WSET exam. And it’s written in Elizabeth’s signature “normal people” style, mixed with a good dose of humor.
The book covers basics like how to taste and talk about wine, how it gets made, wine flavors (and why you should care), and wine geography. You’ll also learn about many of the old world and new world regions — the history, the grapes, the wine.
I especially like her three-step food and wine pairing process and tips for navigating restaurant wine lists and wine shops. It can be intimidating looking through a dictionary-sized list or wandering the aisles of a store wondering how to choose.
This is a great addition to your library. And if you enjoy the book, check out her online classes too!
Wine. All the Time., by Marissa A. Ross
Marissa is a self-proclaimed college-dropout-comedy-writer-turned-wine-columnist. While working as Mindy Kaling’s assistant, she started a video series on the side reviewing cheap wines (and discovered they all taste the same).
But from that, Marissa discovered her love of tasting wine and started a blog that eventually led to a column in Bon Appetit Magazine and inspired the book.
With chapters like “If I Can Go from Two Buck Chuck to Connoisseur, So Can You” and “What the Funk: Biodynamic, Organic & Natural Wines,” her writing style is relatable and hilarious.
It reads like you’re chatting with your best friend — that is if she were crazy funny and a wine expert (which I hope your best friend is!).
The content does lean toward those who are newer to wine, but I found it to be a good refresher. I even keep chapter five — A Noncomprehensive Guide to the Wines You Will Encounter — bookmarked for when I need to reference tasting notes…or just want a good laugh. I mean where else will you see Cinsault likened to Beyonce?
Cork Dork, by Bianca Bosker
As someone who made a mid-career change and dove headfirst into the world of wine, I can relate to Bianca’s story. Starting as a tech journalist, she quit her job with not much of a plan other than to work in the wine industry. Hmm, sounds familiar…
The story follows her quest to understand what’s the big deal about wine. Starting as a cellar rat (not the rodent kind), she works her way toward earning a sommelier certification.
Along the way, you get a peek into the world of blind tasting groups, secret wine societies, and elite sommeliers. You also learn about the science of taste and smell and how those with seemingly superhuman sensory powers can identify a wine in a single sip.
This is personally one of my favorite books and I’d recommend it to any wine lover.
Wine Girl, by Victoria James
Let’s face it — the wine world has historically been dominated by men. And with the allegations of sexual harassment and assault recently brought to light in the Court of Master Sommeliers, it’s clear it’s often not a female-friendly environment.
Victoria’s memoir paints a picture of life, not only as the country’s youngest sommelier but as a woman overcoming a traumatic childhood to make it in a competitive and sometimes toxic industry.
Her story is a page-turner — at times disturbing, but also inspiring. It peels back the curtain on what we don’t see as customers — both in hospitality and what actually goes into our drink (warning: it may turn you off of two-buck chuck).
The Wine Bible, by Karen MacNeil
While not a light summer beach read (unless you’re Hermione), no wine book list would be complete without The Wine Bible.
Karen is the only American to have won every major wine award given in the English language. Her book is the single best-selling wine book in the U.S., and one of the best-selling books of all time.
At 922 pages and nearly 3 pounds (hey, what else was I going to use my food scale for?), it’s probably not a book you’ll read cover-to-cover. But it is a great reference to have on hand as things strike your fancy.
Want to learn about what wine from Hungary tastes like? It’s in there. Or the dark underground of counterfeit wines? It’s in there. How about the monk who made one of the world’s most famous champagnes? Yup, you guessed it. It’s in there.
And if none of that sounds appealing, you can just display it on your bookshelf so your friends think you’re smart (like I do).
What are your favorite wine books? Which women in wine have inspired you?
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