Winemaking Books Books the Amateur Winemaker should read and own. What’s in your Library?
I thought it would be a good idea to get in one blog post here at WestchesterWinemakers.com a listing and recommendation of books we think are valuable for Amateur Winemakers to read and have in their own personal libraries as Amateur Winemakers.
I have quite a few books and it is not my intention to list all of them at first but to start with a list for the new winemaker to read and have when first starting in the Hobby. As the conversation continues we can add books to the discussion which we feel have pertinent information or ones which provide a particular strength and those that are fun to read.
To begin:
Techniques in Home Winemaking by Daniel Pambianchi is book that is more manual than text. It provides much needed information and charts and formula to assist the new winemaker. I think it is a must have.
Grapes into Wine by Philip M. Wagner is the “old Standard” a bit dated but still relevant in providing good yet simple explanations for processes and basic wine science. I have always liked this book as it was my first to own coming in the hobby.
Now for the beginner there are more which you may think are worthwhile. Please add your favorite Beginner Book in the Comments. Then we can move on to more advanced texts.
Besides Daniels book (he’s a friend ) I usually recommend Sheridan warwicks The Way to Make Wine.
http://www.amazon.com/Way-Make-Wine-Superb-Preface/dp/0520266145
Best newbie grape winemaking book out there , the testing part is so well written I read it again every season.
Another must have.
A good friend (wink wink) gave me Modern Winemaking by Phil Jackish. A very nice combination of techinical explanations and simplisitc overview of difficult concepts in winemaking. On Malvina’s advise I also bought Pambianchi and your descritpion is right on target..more a manual than a text. However, full of awesome detailed information.
On a lighter note, my wife bought me Educating Peter by Lettie Teague…it is an attempt at educating an ignorant audience about the nuances of wine and wines from around the world. It is interesting for about 10 minutes at a time, then gets boring pretty fast. Teague is the executive editor at Food and Wine, a magazine that I thoroughly enjoy for its culinary ideas…however, as an author on the subject of wine education, her book leaves a lot to be desired. But worth 10 minutes at a time!
Cheers!!!
I just picked up a very broad based book with descriptions of wines, , a ton of information for beginners and all wine lovers. Includes appendices, charts and glossary. “The New Wine Lover’s Companion” Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst
Zac First time I have heard of this book. On your advice it will be a welcome addition to my library.
I also want to make the case for reading and digesting the Scott Labs Fermentation Guide. As a beginner it at least provides lots of terms and names of products hat are referred to frequently during discussions.
I have The Home Wine Makers Manual By Lum Eisenman on a pdf file I will glance thru from time to time
The way to make wine , is very well laid out .
The first part is written on the fundamentals that will get you through your first season and make some good wine.
The second half of the book is about taking it to the next level in year two and beyond.
The writing style is very approachable , like being coached by a friendly sandal wearing west coast neighbour.
http://www.amazon.com/Vines-Wines-Complete-Growing-Grapes/dp/1580171052
Vines into wines is worth having if you want to grow some vines yourself.
Vines into wines is also good if you just want to know more about grapes and ask intelligent questions of your grower.
Lallamand’s science and practice pages are good for more advanced concepts and the latest reserch.
http://www.lallemandwine.com/spip.php?rubrique4&lang=en
I second that on From Vines to Wines by Jeff Cox…covers a lot of ground in a concise way, writing is approachable and not too dense but I think he covers most of the basics.
A long time ago Zac recommended a book that I value highly. While not a winemaking book every winemaker needs to be educated or at least have a resource they can turn to when there is a need to understand wine and grapes. More like a compendium, there isn’t much missed here. The Oxford Companion to Wine Edited by Jancis Robinson. And you don’t need the latest edition if you want to save a lot of money.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_11?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the+oxford+companion+to+wine&sprefix=The+Oxford+%2Caps%2C759
Gee it makes you so freekin smart at cocktail parties too!
Also in the same vein a very nice little pocketbook dictionary style book that sits next to my computer when I need to spell something or just do a quick look up. How can you beat the price?
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the+wine+lovers+companion&sprefix=The+Wine+Lovers+%2Caps%2C241&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Athe+wine+lovers+companion
As Zac stated above Sheridan Warrick The way to make wine, is my go to book as well.I have another that has some good recipes but vage on the ways.This book really helped me alot on formulas of raising brixs in the past.This year helping me with the ACIDULATING MUST,on my 28.8 brix Koch.I have so many pages Highlighted,with great formulas,but also stating things like this”Never adjust the sweetness of a must by calculation alone.always add any water or sugar in stages,checking the brix at intervals after thorough mixing.” FYI The formulas were dead on!!
Ok let me take this in two different directions. First to kick it up a notch on the technical side let me offer Knowing and Making Wine by Emile Peynaud. In some sense more commercial and certainly gets to some of the science not found in any books listed here so far as I know.
On the second front there are a group of books that are basically interviews with well known winemakers. These interviews give you a glimpse into some to the techniques they employ making wine. New Classic Winemakers of California by Steve Heimoff is a fun read and enlightening too.
Other Interview with Winemaker books I like are the following;
A Zinfandel Odyssey by Rhoda Stewart
A Wine Journey along the Russian River by Steve Heimoff
Great Winemakers of California by Robert Benson ( this book is very dated and some of the processes will illustrate how far we have come, well, some of us anyway)
Got out of Dodge on Thursday Night heading to Florida where sane people go especially in Winter. Drove 20 hours through all the rain in Virginia and North Carolina as it was heading up to the Northeast to make White Stuff. Whew! Anyway I want to add a few books to the collection here.
Principals and Practices of Winemaking
Roger B. Boulton Vernon L Singleton, Landa F. Bisson, Ralph E. Kunkee
Pretty Heavy Duty text for oenologists lots of documentation but managable
Concepts in Wine Chemistry Yair Margalit
I own this book, I am not sure why. This book is way above my pay grade. Pure Chemistry for Chemistry Majors. I open it from time to time to look at it and wonder if I really understood all that stuff would I be making better wine if I did. I hate to be anti intellectual but I seriously doubt it. Actually I would love to taste a few wines made by winemakers who do understand wine at this level of chemistry.
And then there is a book that really has some Reality TV screen play possibilities.
Napa The Story of an American Eden James Conaway Suited for material for a series of House wives of Napa. Historical yes very, but loaded with who is banging who. An amazing work of gossip mixed in with history. Perfect for Malvina.
Hey Gene! Glad you finally made it to Florida. You must have just got out of town in the nick of time!
I’m reading, right now, Paul Lukacs’, “Inventing Wine”…sort of a history of wine in the context of society.
The subject is interesting, however, I am not in love with the writing style. But that’s a personal opinion.
Gene ,
I have that book wine chemistry and a chemistry degree.
I read that book and well it is interesting to see the chemical conversions that take place durring fermentation, its not essential to winemaking.
I have a bit better understanding how nitrogen is used but it didnt change how I make my additions.
Well my wish will come true , I will actually be able one day to taste a wine made by a winemaker who understands that book. Lol!