Favorite Wine Books

While there is tons of easy to access information on the Internet, Wine Blogs and Wine Websites must number in the thousands and there is also no substitute for knowing a good wine merchant who understands your taste, books are still one of the best ways to learn about wine.

People often ask me what are the best wine books for beginners. Here are some of my favorites. If you are interested and would like to support Mano a Vino click the link to buy the book through Amazon. Thanks

Here is my list of the best wine books for beginners.

If you are just beginning your wine education as I was just a few years ago here are some of my favorite entry level books.

Wine For Dummies

I have always like the Dummies series books, they are friendly, easy to read humorous, yet very informative. This book is no exception. Written by charming and wise by Mary Ewing-Mulligan and Ed McCarthy who I met a few years ago a "Super White" Friulian Italian wine tasting.   They have also authored a number of other great "Dummies" books that you will surely enjoy.

Buy here: Wine For Dummies , Italian Wine for Dummies, Red Wine for Dummies, White Wine for Dummies among others. You can read more from Ed and Mary here:  winereviewonline.com.

A new favorite that is good for entry level, intermediate and expert, yet is always approachable and easy to read and understand is Carolyn Hammond's new 1,000 Best Wine Secrets. I like Carolyn's free and irreverent style. She is truly passionate about making good wine accessible to everyone.

Buy it here: 1000 Best Wine Secrets (1000 Best)

Another approach is in "Coffee Table" type books like "The New Italy" a complete guide to contemporary Italian Wine. With wonderful and plentiful photographs and maps this book by Daniele Cernilli and Marco Sabelico it envelopes you and fills your eyes, heart and wine with wonderful knowledge.

Cernilli and Sabelico also write for the best annual guides of Italian wines by Gambero Rosso. These I will discuss in an upcoming post.

I love this book and refer to it often. Buy it here: The New Italy

If you are looking for a portable book, to carry with you to the wine store, the 2007 issue of Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book will fill the bill. In its 30th edition this book is always a best seller.

Delivering more current news than ever on over 6,000 wines, growers, and regions, along with up- to-the-minute vintage information, recommended wines (including budget options), and star ratings. With this book in hand, wine lovers won’t need anything else to help them select anything from a bottle for an everyday dinner to a prestige vintage for investment. A new section showcases Johnson’s special, personal choices, and there are plenty of quick-reference maps, charts, and fact boxes for a little extra guidance.

Pick up your copy here:  Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2007: 30th Edition (Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book)

Of course the most important wine book is the one you write your self. And for that these will come in very handy. The Little Black Journal Of Wine: A Wine Lover's Record Keeper or The Wine Journal: Label Collection Album & Label Removal Kit

I will be adding to this list and publishing our list of best wine books for intermediate and advanced reads. Of course you are welcome to list your favorite by submitting a comment below.