Looking for inspiration? Here are the best things to read, watch and listen to for wine lovers. We’ve picked out some of the top wine-related books, TV shows and podcasts for your enjoyment!
Books:
Message in the Bottle
From Tim Gaiser MS, former director of education of the Court of Master Sommeliers Americas, this Guide to Tasting Wine compiles strategies and insights gained over more than 30 years of teaching. While many sections are aimed at helping sommeliers pass the tough MS exam, there are useful tools for wine novices through to those wanting to brush up on blind tasting skills. It’s an academic textbook, but Gaiser injects friendly tips and anecdotes.
Available through Amazon UK
New British Wine
Written by Abbie Moulton, with engaging photography by Maria Bell, New British Wine offers a fresh take on the UK’s wine scene. Focusing on organic, natural and low- intervention wines, it introduces the boutique vineyards, sustainability champions, urban wineries, cutting-edge restaurants and new-wave bottle shops that are driving this creative young industry. Cleverly curated, it’s a vibrant snapshot.
Available through Amazon UK
The Bordeaux Club
Written by historian Neil McKendrick, this is the true story of a group of male friends – including wine writers Hugh Johnson, Steven Spurrier and Michael Broadbent, and Neil himself – united by their love of claret. Founded in 1949 and active until 2019, The Bordeaux Club met to drink, dine and discuss fine wines. This book profiles its leading members, with meeting minutes, and tasting notes including Latour 1865, Petrus 1920 and Lafite 1945.
Decanter readers can get £5 off a copy from Académie du Vin Library using the code: Decanter23
Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine 2023
First published 46 years ago, this compact annual guide is packed with information and recommendations of top names from every wine region. Its quick-reference vintage charts are always a useful resource for collectors. This year, Johnson also highlights new-wave bottles from non-classic regions, showcasing native grape varieties and unconventional winemaking methods.
Available through Amazon UK
TV and film:
@TheMillennialSomm
Based in Washington DC, Isis Daniel is The Millennial Somm. Falling in love with wine while working in hospitality, she now uses social media to introduce a new generation of drinkers to the subject and is a powerful voice for diversity in the wine trade. With almost 150,000 TikTok followers, Daniel broadcasts live #TastingThursday (sing it) videos and snappy shorts packed with a range of basic wine education. TikTok, Instagram, Patreon.
Tellement Soif
This subscription-based web TV channel publishes engaging daily videos in French about wine, beer and spirits, from book and wine shop reviews to interviews and vineyard visits, deep dives into wine regions, and discussions on industry issues. Editor-in-chief Antoine Gerbelle, previously a journalist for La Revue du Vin de France, has a keen palate and laid-back but respectful style. Highly accessible, relevant and eye-opening.
The Wild Side of Wine: Lebanon
As a follow-up to his three-part documentary series about making wine in Georgia, Decanter contributor Peter Richards MW takes another walk on The Wild Side of Wine – this time in Lebanon. Filmed on location, Richards visits wineries such as Chateau Musar and uncovers the long history of winemaking in this eastern Mediterranean country, from the Phoenicians up to the modern day, exploring how wine is helping to heal the scars of war.
Sommvivant
Napa-based sommelier Amanda McCrossin is also known as sommvivant, with more than 8,000 subscribers on YouTube and 172,000 followers on TikTok. Her knowledgeable and fun-to-watch videos cover a variety of topics from California Pinot and Australian Cabernet to sweet wines and Champagne, as well as travel guides and food matching. Tune in for $15 Fridays to pick up value recommendations plus tips on pairing food and wine on a budget. tiktok.com/@somm_vivant
Podcasts:
The Grape Nation
Veteran broadcaster Sam Benrubi’s informative weekly podcast features winemakers, sommeliers, writers, retailers and more. With his easy interview style, Benrubi is equally at home talking to big names like Jancis Robinson MW and Eric Asimov, or local heroes such as the engaging Kilolo Strobert, owner of Brooklyn’s Fermented Grapes wine store. Recent episodes include a review of Bordeaux 2020. Apple, Heritage Radio Network, Simplecast.
Drinking Well
As wine merchant Berry Bros & Rudd marks its 325th anniversary this year, it will broadcast a special edition of its Drinking Well podcast on 29 March, discussing the BBR family reserves. You can also catch up with seasons 1 and 2, which feature tips for collectors – including when to drink certain vintages and how allocations work – plus buyers sharing their love of particular regions. Season 3 will be out this summer. Amazon Music, Apple, Audible, Food FM, Spotify.
Guildsomm
GuildSomm’s podcasts are pitched at wine service professionals – with an emphasis on tastings with top sommeliers – but they are available for anyone to listen to. Broad-ranging content includes topics from blind tasting and food pairing to vineyard management and regional focuses. There are also Spanish language episodes, such as ‘Rioja with Alberto Gil’. Available on Apple, Spotify.
In Vino Veritas
In each episode of this new podcast from Jamie Theakston and Alexander Armstrong the duo recommend a wine and match it with music, while sharing wine facts and chatting about their wine passions, food and travel. Episodes often focus on specific wine regions, from Margaret River to Piedmont, with pairings including Barbaresco with Vivaldi’s Gloria in D Major and Pfalz Riesling with the album Where is Home/Hae ke Kae by South African cellist Abel Selaocoe.
