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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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Sign up for the Wine Educate Newsletter: www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup
Website: www.wineeducate.com
Email: joanne@wineeducate.com
Instagram & Facebook: @wineeducate
