“No matter where you are on your wine learning journey, it is a lifelong pursuit as the industry grows and develops.” - Erin Rosar

Since I have been a professional sommelier for almost 20 years, it's safe to say that wine books have taken up a significant part of the shelves in my home and office. The books I recommend to wine enthusiasts of all levels to keep on hand for learning are among my favorites within my collection. The books listed below are those I use and recommend frequently, so these are all great choices whether you are shopping for yourself or someone else.

Wine for dummies,  Ed McCarthy & Mary Ewing Mulligan 

Don't be fooled by the name. Wine enthusiasts of all levels will find this book an indispensable building block of their education. The book is easy to read, well organized, and full of detailed information. (There are also books about beers, whiskies, and individual wine regions in this series.)

Wine & War, Don & Petie Kladstrup

This book is a must-have for any history enthusiast and a lover of French wine. The book will not only introduce you to French wine history during the time around World War II, it will also give you a new appreciation of France's tenacity and courage.

The World Atlas of Wine, Hugh Johnson & Jancis Robinson

This is a must-have book for wine enthusiasts of all levels. Almost every student of wine has this book on his or her desk. It is filled with incredibly detailed information and maps that will become the basis of your studies. 

The Wine Bible, Karen MacNeil 

A soft-cover book full of easy-to-read information and interesting facts about world wine styles is presented here. The deeper a student dives into the world of wine, the more technical it becomes. This more conversational book is a useful combination with more technical ones to help students absorb the detailed information.

No matter where you are on your wine learning journey, it is a lifelong pursuit as the industry grows and develops. Your success depends on having access to resources like the ones I've recommended above. Remember to have fun as you learn about the world's wines, and make sure to enjoy your homework with a glass of wine.