Best Books on French Wine

Are you fascinated by exotic French wines? How are they made, and how many types are still there to taste? Is there a right way to enjoy them? What about their history? What are their origins?
Well, I am sure some of these questions may be bothering you too! It is hard to know everything about French wines provided the vastness of its world. But when everything fails, books are your only rescue. They have all the answers to your questions! But there are thousands of books published covering nearly every aspect of wine you can think of, so how to choose amongst them. It can be challenging to sort through them to find the gems that are worth reading. So, which book best holds all your answers? Don’t worry; I have done all that work for you!
Top 5 Books on French Wines
We have narrowed it down to the top 5 books that are worth reading and given the near to perfect answers to all of your questions. Here is the list of the best books on French wines;
1. Adventures on the Wine Route: A Wine Buyer’s Tour of France
(4.6 / 5)
- Written by: Kermit Lynch
- Price: $13.48
- This book is indeed an adventure. Words of wisdom mixed with fun and a wicked sense of humor – what more could one want in a book?
- All wine professionals and anyone who wants to learn about the nature of French wines should read it. The writer has a fascinating perspective with honest feedback and great advice on French wines.
- This book will take you all over France including a tour of the lesser wine regions of France too. It is a fantastic story of French wines intertwined with relationships around people who have a true passion for wines compared to those who have little regard for what they sell.
- It is educational and fun read!
2. French Wine For Dummies
(4.6 / 5) 3
- Written by: Ed McCarthy, Mary Ewing-Mulligan
- Price: $6.15
- Excellent for someone who is just getting started. It is a perfect guidebook to explore and find your own taste.
- When compared to other beginner’s wine books this one indeed stands out. It has a nice balance of teaching you with clear examples and putting a friendly personal tone. It is a very informative book that has been organized by the regions of France.
- The authors have given good notes on both expensive and inexpensive French wines. So, if you really want to brush up on your wine knowledge, then it is a great start for sure! It gives excellent overviews and explanations.
- Also, it is written in plain English, so it is an asset when trying to order a French wine in a restaurant. For a wine drinker, it is an addition to one’s “wine knowledge.”
3. French Wines: The Essential Guide to the Wines and Wine Growing Regions of France
(4.4 / 5)
- Written by: Robert F. Joseph, Robert Joseph
- Price: $37.68
- The book is mainly divided into different varieties of wine based on the region they are grown and produced, like Alsace & Lorraine, Bordeaux, Burgundy, etc.
- It has recommendations too, regarding producers and good vintages. Each of the eleven regions begins with pages about the region and ends with a discussion of the region’s food that will go well with the wine and tasting tips.
- This book really gives one of the best wine tours in France. This is a book that is a useful and helpful book for your wine vocabulary and library.
4. Decoding French Wine: A Beginner’s Guide to Enjoying the Fruits of the French Terroir
(3.5 / 5)
- Written by: Andrew Cullen
- Price: $6.99
- As the name suggests, it is actually a wine decoder! This book gives an excellent overview of the basics of French wine, with a couple of helpful maps thrown in to help you sort out the regions.
- It’s written in a conversational tone, which is rare, given the complexity of other French wine guides. This book will beg you for a backpack and an itinerary for a French exploratory trip, but in the meantime will serve as a guide to local wine-buying trips.
- Also, the author’s personal recommendations for French wines are outstanding.
- You will be glad to see that the author has highlighted some of the significant regions you’d see on a wine list, in the stores, or online—definitely a good read.
5. The New France: A Complete Guide to Contemporary French Wine
(4.4 / 5)
- Written by: Andrew Jefford
- Price: $24.23
- The author of this book used to write columns in Decanter, and if you have read them, then you know he can write about wines. This book is informative even if you already have a base about French wines. The author’s writing is as flavorful, distinctive, and lovable as French wines.
- To read this book, you do not need any reason; all you have to be is a wine lover! The author is no stranger to French wines; he is a true professional who uncovers the trends in the various wine regions of France.
- He gives you the perspective from all the possible angles on French wines. This is definitely the most informative and concise way of learning about the “now” of French wines.
- This book will nourish your curiosity. Each chapter has an introduction to the terroir of that particular region and the impact it has on the wines; brief profiles of the author’s favorite winemakers; a section called The Adventure of the Land. It is a must-read!
Conclusion
All the book recommendations that I have mentioned above are worth your time. These books have covered everything about French wines, from their origin to taste and everything in between! After reading, I am sure that you will have all the information you need to know about French wines. These books are easy to read, pocket friendly, and a perfect companion in the journey to know French wines. Keep learning and exploring!!