Looking for inspiration? Here are the best things to read, watch and listen to for wine lovers. We’ve picked out some of the best wine-related books, TV shows and podcasts for your enjoyment!
Wine books:
Malbec Mon Amour – Laura Catena and Alejandro Vigil
Written by fourth-generation vintner Dr Laura Catena and winemaker Alejandro Vigil, this illustrated coffee-table book is a love song to the Malbec grape in Argentina. Combining history and storytelling with viticultural notes – including the latest scientific research by the Catena Institute – it also details the terroirs of the Uco Valley, where Malbec found a natural home when it was introduced to Argentina in the mid-19th century.
£17.59/$24.99, Catapulta
Wines of the Rhône – Matt Walls
Decanter contributing editor Matt Walls moved to the Rhône valley with his family to research this book, which was recently shortlisted in the André Simon awards. It includes a history of the region and sections on the southern Rhône and northern Rhône. Authoritative, but never at the expense of readability, this book will enthral Rhône fans and enlighten those learning about the region for the first time.
£35, Infinite Ideas
Nature At Heart – Gérard Bertrand
Gérard Bertrand channels his wisdom as a wine-grower, and charisma as an entrepreneur, into his latest book Nature at Heart: For a better world. Drawing on personal experience, Languedoc-based Bertrand highlights key challenges affecting today’s society – big data, energy consumption, population growth and urban living conditions among them – and puts forward a manifesto of sorts.
€19.90/£16.95, Albin Michel (editions in French and English)
Foot Trodden: Portugal and the Wines that Time Forgot
Co-authored by Decanter contributor Simon J Woolf with the evocative photography of Ryan Opaz, this engaging book was a New York Times Best Wine Book of 2021. Driven by personalities including familiar names such as Luis and Filipa Pato, it’s not a complete guide to Portuguese wines, but celebrates the diversity of the country’s wine scene, uncovering hidden gems.
£25, Interlink Books
The Life and Wines of Hugh Johnson – Hugh Johnson
First published as Wine, A Life Uncorked, Hugh Johnson’s new edition is packed with anecdotes from his own wine journey as he teaches us about wines from far and wide. An excellent book for reference and an even better one to lose yourself in – why not pour a glass of something delicious and delve in. With a foreword by Eric Asimov.
£30, Académie du Vin Library
Wine films & TV:
Uncorked
Set in Memphis, Uncorked tells the story of Elijah, who is forced to choose between running the family business and following his dream of becoming a Master Sommelier. Mamoudou Athie – who appeared in The Circle with Emma Watson and Tom Hanks, and in upcoming blockbuster Jurassic World Dominion – takes his first lead role as Elijah. The film avoids cliché and captures both the joy of wine and the pain of studying for one of the wine world’s top qualifications. Available on Netflix.
The Bourgogne Road Trip
The BIVB’s new web series explores the Bourgogne appellation’s 13 ‘additional geographic denominations’ in films hosted by YouTubers Marie and Alain, covering the wines, gastronomy and heritage of each terroir. Follow #RoadTripBourgogne on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
Wine Roads. Along the cycling paths of South Tyrol
Four wine enthusiasts cycle through Italy’s spectacular South Tyrol area in this colourful travelogue. Full of scenery that will have you yearning for summer travels, it’s an uplifting jaunt through one of the smallest wine-producing regions in Italy. The quartet’s passion is infectious as they meet winemakers and visit estates, including the highest vineyard in Europe, and one of the oldest. Available on Prime Video.
TikTok @winewithdavid
David Choi owns two Napa wineries as well as running Pearson’s Wine & Spirits in Washington DC. When he isn’t busy with business, he’s telling his 256.7k TikTok followers about wine. With 1.3m likes, his short, snappy reels aim to educate a young generation of wine drinkers. Accessible and entertaining, Choi answers questions such as why we spit wine, and gives weekly wine tips and recommendations.
Wine podcasts:
Italian Wine Podcast
Beginning with weekly shows in 2017, the Italian Wine Podcast now broadcasts daily, offering a range of topics to suit both wine lovers and those working in the wine trade, including Wine, Food & Travel (Tuesdays) and Marketing & Communication (Sunday). Available on Soundcloud, Apple, Spotify, Google.
The Wine Show Australia
This podcast series is based on a weekly wine show broadcast on Melbourne radio station Inner FM. Co-hosted by Simon Nash, Jill Upton and Richo Doumani, it features engaging interviews with Australian winemakers from around the country. Top names from earlier episodes include industry legends Brian McGuigan and Brian Croser, Clare Valley Riesling champion Jeff Grosset and Yarra Valley producer Mac Forbes. Listen on Anchor, Apple Podcasts, Listen Notes and Spotify.
ON THE ROAD with MR CA WINE
Californian Chuck Cramer now lives in London, but his love of the California lifestyle and his deep knowledge of the region’s wines shine through on his weekly podcast. Cramer also uncovers some great wine lists, chats to sommeliers and wine importers, and tackles some of the biggest issues facing California winemakers. In Cramer’s words, ‘buckle up’ for a wide-ranging ride through the Golden State. Listen on Apple Podcasts.
Looking Into Wine
Italian sommelier Mattia Scarpazza has been podcasting since 2020, focusing on subjects that sparked his own interest in wine. Head sommelier at Petersham Nurseries, he quizzes experts – including Rosemary George MW on Chablis and Adam Montefiore on Israeli wines – meets producers such as Randall Grahm and Lenz Moser, and tackles topics such as smoke taint, biodynamics and oak in wine. Good for junior sommeliers and anyone studying for wine qualifications. Listen on Apple Podcasts.
