8 Recommended Introductory Books to Expand Your World of Wine
"I like wine, but I always choose it somewhat randomly," "I freeze up when I'm handed a wine list at a restaurant," "I don't really understand the differences between grape varieties or regions." Have you ever felt this way?
The world of wine is deep and profound the more you know about it, and above all, it is fun. Grape varieties, the climate and soil of the region, winemaking methods, tasting etiquette... With just a little bit of knowledge, a single glass of wine can turn into an amazingly rich experience.
That said, many wine books are highly specialized, and many people may not know where to start. In this article, we have carefully selected 8 introductory wine books that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people, from beginners to intermediate learners who want to take the next step. We have gathered books with various approaches, including those that are easy to learn through diagrams and illustrations, those that can be enjoyed from historical and business perspectives, those that delve into wine scientifically, and those that are moving as stories. Please pick up a book that catches your interest.
"Illustrated Wine Freshman" by Takeru Kokubo and Coro Yamada (Sanctuary Publishing)
This is a book supported by many as a classic introductory wine book. The biggest feature of this book is that it introduces grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir by personifying them as "high school student characters." Each variety appears as a unique student, and because they naturally demonstrate the characteristics of their taste and aroma during school life, the differences between each variety will stick in your head just by reading it.
It answers simple questions about wine, such as "Which one should I choose?", "What is the difference between expensive and cheap wine?", and "How does the taste change depending on the country or region?", using plenty of diagrams and manga to make it "as easy to understand as possible." Even those who are resistant to specialized books with a lot of text should be able to read through it smoothly and enjoyably.
This is the first book I would recommend for those who want to study wine but don't know where to start. Since you can organize the world of wine around grape varieties, after reading this book, the way you choose wine at wine shops and restaurants will change significantly.
"Revised 2022 Edition: Wine is Fun!" by Ophélie Neiman (PIE International)
Known as the best-selling wine textbook in France, this book has been loved by wine fans around the world for its stylish illustrations and easy-to-understand explanations. A revised edition updated with the latest information was published in 2022.
It covers a wide range of things you need to know to enjoy wine, including tasting methods, characteristics of grape varieties, information on regions around the world starting with France, wine and food pairings, and how to host a wine party. Since each theme is completed on a two-page spread, you can read it in order from the beginning, or you can start reading from the pages that interest you.
The biggest appeal of this book is, above all, the beautiful illustrations by Yannis Varoutsikos. You can acquire wine knowledge while enjoying it visually, as if you were looking at posters in a stylish cafe. It is a book that looks good even just displayed on a bookshelf. It can be said to be the perfect introductory book for those who want to enjoy a "life with wine" rather than just "studying wine."
"If You Know the Basics, It's Even More Delicious! A Textbook for Enjoying Wine" by Takayuki Onishi (Natsumesha)
The world of wine has many unique technical terms, which is a major hurdle for beginners. This book eliminates such "wine jargon" as much as possible and explains the basic knowledge of wine in an easy-to-understand manner with comical illustrations.
The author, Takayuki Onishi, is a unique figure often called the "maverick" of the wine industry. The book is filled with the desire for people to "enjoy the stiff world of wine more casually." Its strength lies in the fact that you can learn knowledge in a way that is tailored to everyday scenes, from the basics of grape varieties to the characteristics of each region, how to read labels, and practical ways to choose wine at wine shops and restaurants.
In particular, it is full of explanations that assume specific situations, such as "I want to choose a wine that goes well with today's dinner" or "I want to convey my preferences to the staff at a wine shop," and the content is attractive because it can be put into practice immediately after reading. This is a practical textbook that I highly recommend to those who want to acquire wine knowledge not as "education" but as "a pleasure of daily life."
"Wine as an Education for Global Business Elites" by Junko Watanabe (Diamond Inc.)
This is a book recommended for those who want to view wine not only as a "drink to taste" but also as "education" or a "business weapon." The author, Junko Watanabe, has a background as the first Asian wine specialist at Christie's in New York. Based on that wealth of experience, she tells the history of wine, geopolitics, and its relationship with the economy in an interesting way.
Particularly impressive are the many stories that tickle intellectual curiosity, such as the episode of the "Judgment of Paris," where California wine defeated French wine, and the behind-the-scenes of wine auctions. It goes beyond knowledge of wine brands and tastes to answer essential questions such as "Why is this wine expensive?" and "How is the value of wine determined?"
This book, which allows you to naturally acquire knowledge that will make you stand out when wine becomes a topic of conversation in business settings, will be an excellent introductory book for those who have many opportunities for business dinners or those who want to learn about world culture and history through wine.
"Read It and You'll Learn! This Is the Last Wine Introduction You'll Need" by Akihiko Yamamoto (Kodansha)
"I've read several introductory books, but I still didn't really understand it in the end." This is a book I want those who have had that experience to pick up. Written by wine journalist Akihiko Yamamoto to resolve the frustrations with the many wine introductory books overflowing in the market, it claims to be the definitive "final introductory book."
The structure of this book is designed to progress in stages from "Step 1" to "Step 7." Because you can step up from beginner to intermediate and then to slightly advanced levels without difficulty, various questions about wine are naturally resolved as you read. The structure, where knowledge connects organically rather than being broken up by theme, is a very reassuring design for those who want to grasp the "big picture of wine."
It is perfect not only for absolute beginners but also for those re-entering the subject who say, "I studied it once but gave up." The explanations, backed by the author's solid expertise, are highly reliable, and if you read this book through, you will firmly acquire the basics of wine. I strongly recommend it to those who want to systematically organize their wine knowledge.
"The Science of Wine: How to Find 'My Wine'" by Kenichi Shimizu (Kodansha Blue Backs)
"What determines the taste of wine?" "Why does it taste better when it ages?" "Is the difference between red and white wine only the color?" This book unravels such questions from a scientific perspective. Kenichi Shimizu, a doctor of agriculture who has also been involved in technical guidance for wine brewing, explains the world of wine scientifically in the simple and clear prose typical of the Blue Backs series.
Themes such as how grape components create the aroma and taste of wine, what happens during the fermentation process, and what the scientific basis for terroir (the climate and soil of the production area) is, are developed one after another. The parts that scientifically verify the "common sense of wine" often heard in the market are particularly worth reading, and discoveries like "So that's how it actually was" are scattered throughout.
For those with a science background, as well as those who like to get to the bottom of "Why?", this book will surely change the way you see wine. Since you will naturally acquire the ability to verbalize your taste preferences, it also provides hints for finding "wine that suits you."
"Usuke Boys: The Revolutionaries of Japanese Wine" by Kaori Kawai (Shogakukan)
This is not a book to learn wine knowledge, but a book to read the stories of people who bet their lives on wine. This book, which won the 16th Shogakukan Non-Fiction Award, depicts the true story of young people who chased the dream of "wanting to make real wine" during the dawn of Japanese wine.
At the center of the story are three winemakers who inherited the aspirations of the legendary wine consultant Usuke Asai (a pen name). In the past, it was common for Japanese winemaking to use table grapes and mix in ingredients imported from overseas. Their challenge, which opposed such a situation and tried to make wine that could compete globally from grapes grown on Japanese land, was a series of difficulties. However, their passion and efforts bore fruit, and now wines that are so popular they are difficult to obtain are being produced.
It is recommended not only for those interested in Japanese wine but also for everyone who wants to be moved by the sight of people devoting themselves to something. If you drink a glass of Japanese wine after reading this book, you will surely feel that its taste is different from before.
"Drops of God: Wine Knowledge Book" by Tadashi Agi (Shufunotomo)
The legendary wine manga "Drops of God," which has sold over 15 million copies. This book is where the original author, Tadashi Agi, jumps out of the manga framework and summarizes the basic knowledge of wine in one volume. As the word "knowledge" (shittaka) in the title suggests, it is an accessible introductory book aimed at those who "don't know much about wine but want to be able to talk about it a little."
Focusing on French wine, practical content such as the basics of production areas and grape varieties, the basics of tasting, and how to order at a restaurant is compactly summarized. Episodes from the manga and the author's own passion for wine can be glimpsed throughout, making it a structure that can also be enjoyed as reading material.
For those who became interested in wine after reading "Drops of God," it is like a bridge that connects the world of manga to a real wine experience. Of course, even if you haven't read the manga, you can enjoy it easily as a first step into wine. It is a book I definitely want those who want to enter the world of wine with a relaxed attitude to pick up.
Conclusion
We have introduced 8 introductory books on wine. Books that you can learn from enjoyably with diagrams and illustrations, books that deepen your knowledge as business literacy, books that open up the world of taste with a scientific approach, and books that touch your heart as stories—they are all books that convey the charm of wine from different angles.
There is no "correct answer" to how to enjoy wine. The important thing is to find your own entry point of interest. Please pick up a book that interests you from the ones introduced this time, and try turning the pages with a glass in one hand. Surely, your usual wine will feel even more delicious and even more enjoyable.
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