24. The Three Best Wine Books You Will Ever Own!

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Episode Description

In this episode of Wine Educate, host Joanne Close shares the three essential wine books that have been her go-to resources throughout her 20+ years of WSET education. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced student, these books will help you deepen your knowledge of wine, viticulture, winemaking, and regional geography.

Joanne discusses why these books are must-haves, how to use them effectively, and what makes them invaluable for WSET students at all levels.

What’s in This Episode? 1. The Oxford Companion to Wine (4th Edition) – Edited by Jancis Robinson & Julia Harding

• The most comprehensive wine reference book available, covering history, viticulture, winemaking, and key wine terms.

• First published in 1994, now in its fourth edition (2023) with hundreds of new entries, including "celebrity wine," "heat wave," "low-intervention wine," and more.

• How to use it: A dictionary-style reference to quickly look up unfamiliar wine terms like malolactic conversion, AVAs, and wine faults.

• Where to find it: Available on Amazon, thriftbooks.com, and other major booksellers.

2. The World Atlas of Wine (8th Edition) – Jancis Robinson & Hugh Johnson

• First published in the 1960s, this book remains the definitive wine atlas, featuring detailed maps of the world’s wine regions.

• The altitude and topography maps help students visualize key wine-growing areas.

• How to use it: Essential for Level 2 & Level 3 students to memorize major cities, rivers, and wine regions.

• Also includes fundamental wine knowledge, making it an excellent reference for beginner and intermediate students.

3. Understanding Wine Technology (4th Edition) – David Bird MW

• A technical yet accessible book that simplifies complex winemaking processes, chemistry, and equipment.

• Originally written to support Level 3 students, this book is a perfect supplement to the WSET study materials.

• How to use it: Great for understanding fermentation, stabilizing agents, wine faults, and bridging the gap between science and practical wine knowledge.

• The latest edition (2022) is co-authored by a French winemaker based in Portland for even more real-world insight.

Final Thoughts

• These three books should be on every wine student’s nightstand—they provide the foundation for serious wine study and exploration.

• There are many other amazing wine books out there, and Joanne will cover more in future episodes!

• Have a favorite wine book? Share it on Instagram @wineeducate!

Connect with Wine Educate

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Thanks for listening. See you next time.