{"title":"Académie du Vin Library Drinks Book Finalists – Gourmand Awards 2026","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"tasting-victory-by-gerard-basset","title":"Tasting Victory","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout Tasting Victory\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eGérard Basset came to England in 1977 to see a football match and found he didn’t want to leave. He took any job he could find in kitchens around the country, but soon discovered a passion for front-of-house, and threw himself into learning everything about wine and immersing himself in the world of Michelin-starred restaurants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"428\" data-end=\"934\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"428\" data-end=\"445\"\u003eTasting Victory\u003c\/em\u003e charts Gérard’s astronomical career in his own words. It recounts in detail how he managed to earn his unprecedented sequence of qualifications: he was one of the first individuals to hold the famously difficult Master of Wine qualification simultaneously with Master Sommelier and an MBA in Wine Business. But it is his pursuit of the most important award of all that forms the core of this book – how, at his seventh attempt, Gérard Basset was crowned the Best Sommelier of the World.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"936\" data-end=\"1321\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eThis memoir is not only the story of the making of a champion, but also a record of how fine dining in England grew from stale and unexciting to world-leading. Above all, it’s about succeeding against great odds: when he was diagnosed with cancer, Gérard responded in typical fashion, by deciding to write \u003cem data-start=\"1242\" data-end=\"1259\"\u003eTasting Victory\u003c\/em\u003e, which he completed shortly before his death in January 2019.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Académie du Vin Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56862874534270,"sku":"ADGBTVI133","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0566\/3490\/0544\/files\/GERARD_BASSET_TASTING_VICTORY.jpg?v=1770908013"},{"product_id":"pressing-matters-alan-ramey","title":"Pressing Matters","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout Pressing Matters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeople have been drinking wine for thousands of years. So by now we must have worked out the best way to grow, make, and appreciate it – right?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"255\" data-end=\"639\"\u003eIn fact, if anything, our accumulated centuries of experience have only complicated the picture. Perhaps you believe in the primacy of terroir, think that organic farming is the only right way to grow grapes, or know that you can easily tell the difference between a store-bought wine and one sold via the membership list of a cult winery. But perhaps the picture is not so clear cut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"641\" data-end=\"933\"\u003eIn \u003cem data-start=\"644\" data-end=\"662\"\u003ePressing Matters\u003c\/em\u003e, Alan Ramey explores wine from eight angles in an effort to clarify the arguments on all sides. Experts in the subjects of terroir, farming, wine production, tasting, wine’s cultural significance, and the economic value of wine offer their insights on these key debates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"935\" data-end=\"1202\"\u003eBy focusing on wine through the prism of the main points of difference within each topic, the book presents readers with a story that includes the messiness, human fragility, and disagreement about core principles that so often gets skipped in discussions about wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1204\" data-end=\"1443\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"1204\" data-end=\"1222\"\u003ePressing Matters\u003c\/em\u003e can’t promise to leave you with a set of neat answers on these topics but whether you are new to wine or fancy yourself something of an expert it offers a fresh way of thinking about this complex and fascinating subject.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Académie du Vin Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56881933058430,"sku":"ADALPMS134","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0566\/3490\/0544\/files\/PRESSING_MATTERS_BY_ALAN_RAMEY.jpg?v=1770908066"},{"product_id":"the-judgement-of-paris-susan-keevil","title":"The Judgement of Paris","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout The Judgement of Paris\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePARIS, MAY 1976. A young Englishman and an American journalist decide that California’s emerging wine stars should be better known in France. They set up an expert panel to blind taste them against the best of Bordeaux and Burgundy and, contrary to every expectation, the California wines emerge triumphant. The wine world was shocked to its core... The tasting came to be known as ‘The Judgement of Paris’; it was the trigger for California’s winemakers to grow in confidence and stature – and it allowed other ‘pretenders’ to make their claim to the French wine throne. 50 years on, this book takes stock. Top wine professionals from California, Bordeaux, Burgundy and the UK reveal what it was like to ride the shock waves... how the JOP benefited California (and, in turn, Bordeaux), and why the reverberations of this seismic event still benefit wine regions around the world today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Warren Winiarski of Stag’s Leap shares the journey of the winning wine\u003cbr\u003e• Profiles and tasting notes of the competing wines – plus, stunning photography of the wineries then (1970s) and now...\u003cbr\u003e• The Response from Bordeaux: was losing to California all bad?\u003cbr\u003e• Interview with Steven Spurrier and Patricia Gallagher: did they know they were stirring up something big?\u003cbr\u003e• Was it all a Storm in a Parisian Wine Glass? ... or just 1970s clickbait?\u003cbr\u003e• The JOP in Context: seven other events that shook the wine world\u003cbr\u003e• Aubert de Villaine (Domaine de la Romanée-Conti), Jasper Morris MW, David Gleave MW, Jane MacQuitty, William Kelley (Wine Advocate), John Williams (Frog’s Leap), Hugh Johnson, Jancis Robinson MW, Karen MacNeil, Jane Anson (and many more) on what the JOP means for the wine in our glass...\u003cbr\u003e• The Judgements that Followed: Chile vs Bordeaux, Champagne vs Franciacorta, Sonoma vs Burgundy...\u003cbr\u003e• Presented as a beautiful Wibalin-covered limited edition with rare archive photography and colour images\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Académie du Vin Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57079930651006,"sku":"ADSKJUD135","price":70.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0566\/3490\/0544\/files\/Judgement_of_Paris.1_af285822-401d-459d-9985-ab870fdfd593.jpg?v=1777393824"},{"product_id":"italianity-andrea-lonardi-mw-jessica-dupuy","title":"Italianity","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAbout Italianity – The Culture of Italian Wine\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eItalianity\u003c\/b\u003e is a journey into the soul of Italian wine by Andrea Lonardi and acclaimed wine journalist Jessica Dupuy. Through a series of essays shaped by Lonardi’s Odyssey-like career across Italy’s wine regions and enriched by Dupuy’s thoughtful outsider perspective, the book explores the diversity, beauty, and cultural depth of Italy through the lens of wine. Weaving together reflections on place, tradition, and the future of Italian wine with portraits of figures such as Angelo Gaja, Josko Gravner, and Marchese Piero Antinori, \u003ci\u003eItalianity\u003c\/i\u003e is less an academic study than a companion for readers who want to experience the spirit of Italian wine beyond the guidebook.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Académie du Vin Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57164286067070,"sku":"OPJDITA136","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0566\/3490\/0544\/files\/Italianity_4_fbb4aa88-59f9-4056-ab3f-776d44539419.jpg?v=1777473710"},{"product_id":"the-wines-of-provence-elizabeth-gabay-mw-ben-bernheim","title":"The Wines of Provence","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"\u003eAbout The Wines of Provence\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"\u003e‘Provence’ conjures many images to mind – fields of lavender, glistening Mediterranean vistas and glamorous seaside resorts, and when it comes to wine, rosé. There is no denying that pink dominates production; the pale rosés of the last 40 years have made the region commercially successful, attracting outside investment and celebrity owners, but there is another side to Provence and its wines. As well as the big brands and movie stars, one can find small producers preserving traditional winemaking and vignerons experimenting with new varieties and methods of vinification. Rather than getting swept along on a sea of commercial rosé, these producers are making terroir-expressive wines – big reds, tropical, saline whites and, yes, even some serious rosés.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Wines of Provence\u003c\/i\u003e begins by delving into its history, from early settlers to Hollywood investors, before defining the wine region and its terroirs, styles and varieties. Gabay and Bernheim then profile the most distinctive, quality-focused and historically significant producers. Taking their cue from terroir, they divide the book into three major regions, with different soils, elevations and climatic conditions. The coastal region stretches westward from Nice to the Rhône and includes the deep red Mourvèdre blends of Bandol. The warmer and more sheltered vineyards of inland Provence’s central valley are the region’s breadbasket and also include cooler, high-elevation sites on limestone soils. Painters such as Cézanne and Van Gogh were drawn to the scenery of the third region, its north and west corners, whose vineyards sit in valleys alongside lavender, fruit and vegetables.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Wines of Provence\u003c\/i\u003e is completed with appendices, including a handy guide to producers of fine wines, and colour maps and photographs. Gabay and Bernheim’s in-depth exploration of Provence’s wines proves that this is a region that has far more to offer than quaffable pink wine.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Académie du Vin Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57301200503166,"sku":"CWEGPRO137","price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0566\/3490\/0544\/files\/The_Wines_of_Provence_book_cover.png?v=1777558080"},{"product_id":"the-wines-of-portugal-2nd-ed-richard-mayson","title":"The Wines of Portugal (2nd Edition)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout The Wines of Portugal (2nd  Edition)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIn the more than four decades since it first piqued Richard Mayson’s interest, Portuguese wine has changed almost immeasurably. In the late 1970s the country was recovering from revolution and the authoritarian regime that preceded it. Wine production was limited to a small number of large cooperatives and merchant firms, who mostly created uninspiring blends. Today Portugal produces lower volumes, but thousands of producers have recovered native grapes to make exciting, individual wines that express a unique sense of place. Many of these producers are experimenting with new production methods, some making the best of old traditions like foot-treading and vessels such as granite \u003ci\u003elagares\u003c\/i\u003e and clay \u003ci\u003etalhas\u003c\/i\u003e. White wines have gained ground, especially in the north and on the islands, and climate change is altering the way vineyards and wineries are managed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eRichard Mayson begins \u003ci\u003eThe Wines of Portugal\u003c\/i\u003e with a history of the country’s long relationship with wine. He goes on to provide an invaluable guide to Portugal’s grape varieties, featuring personal insights and varietal wine recommendations. The wine regions are grouped into four chapters based on geographical identity: the Atlantic coast, the mountainous north, the plains of the south and two groups of islands, Madeira and the Azores. Rosé and sparkling wines, both of which form an important and distinctive part of Portuguese history, are covered in separate chapters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eEach region includes profiles of producers, from innovative new winemakers to those who have helped to shape Portugal’s recent history. Since the first edition, Mayson has had the opportunity to visit more vineyards and taste many more wines. Enotourism has become increasingly important to Portuguese producers, some of whom have opened restaurants and hotels on site, and those who welcome visitors are highlighted. The book is completed with colour maps and an appendix covering all of Portugal’s approved grape varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Académie du Vin Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57307450605950,"sku":"CWRMPTL099","price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0566\/3490\/0544\/files\/ChatGPTImageApr30_2026_03_26_18PM.png?v=1777559191"},{"product_id":"viticulture-stephen-skelton-mw","title":"Viticulture (3rd Edition)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAbout Viticulture: An introduction to commercial grape growing for wine production.\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eViticulture\u003c\/em\u003e is an introduction to the professional world of growing grapes for wine production and is aimed at the serious student in the wine trade, WSET Diploma student or Master of Wine candidate. \u003ca name=\"_Hlk24972652\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003eIt is also aimed at anybody considering owning or planting a vineyard who wants a basic primer to the subject. It is written in an easy-to-read style, arranged in fourteen relatively short chapters and illustrated with over 100 photographs and charts. It covers every aspect of viticulture, starting with a chapter on vine physiology, continuing via varieties and rootstocks, vineyard establishment, and the annual cycle in the vineyard and ending with pests, diseases and vine nutrition. The book is all you need to know about grapegrowing in 172 pages and since it was first published in 2007 has sold over 20,000 copies all around the world and been translated into Japanese and Chinese. The 3rd Edition, published in 2026, has been updated to take account of modern developments in vine growing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\"\u003e115 Black and white photographs, illustrations and tables\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Académie du Vin Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57540044489086,"sku":"OPSSVIT138","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0566\/3490\/0544\/files\/Viticulture_cover.png?v=1785850761"},{"product_id":"the-ultimate-wine-school-mikael-molstad","title":"The Ultimate Wine School","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAbout The Ultimate Wine School\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor the first time, Sweden’s best-selling wine education book,\u003cem\u003e The Ultimate Wine School\u003c\/em\u003e, is available in English.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesigned for both self-study and structured courses, the book is divided into twelve easy-to-follow lessons and serves equally well as a reference guide. Richly illustrated with more than 400 photos, maps, and diagrams, it also includes 364 wine questions for study or fun, plus over 50 pages exploring the wines and wine regions of the world, including the UK. Educational, engaging, and up to date, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Ultimate Wine School\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is an essential guide for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Académie du Vin Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57661355655550,"sku":"OPMMULT139","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0566\/3490\/0544\/files\/The_Ultimate_Wine_School_cover.png?v=1785850810"},{"product_id":"languedoc-the-smart-travellers-wine-guide-natalie-earl","title":"Languedoc: The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout Languedoc: \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 12.0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eDiscover the treasures of this great wine region with \u003cb\u003eThe Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide: Languedoc\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eEXPLORE\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e• The best villages and wineries to visit\u003cbr\u003e• Wine routes for week-long stays\u003cbr\u003e• Festivals and events\u003cbr\u003e• Adventure holidays\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eFIND\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e• The best hotels, restaurants and wine shops\u003cbr\u003e• How to stay at a winery\u003cbr\u003e• Where the winemakers dine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eLEARN\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e• Wine classifications and appellations explained\u003cbr\u003e• The history and geography of Languedoc\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eLanguedoc is one of the oldest wine regions in the world. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, it embodies the Mediterranean way of life: a spirit of generosity and sharing, an \u003ci\u003eart de vivre\u003c\/i\u003e that can be felt in its villages, its markets, its festivals and around every table.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eLanguedoc is also a dynamic wine region; its wonderfully diverse appellations, benign climate and the influence of the sea and winds create ideal conditions for sustainable viticulture. Whether you’re interested in pioneering winemaking, local gastronomic delights or some of France’s most beautiful and compelling landscapes, there’s never been a better time to visit Languedoc.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eFIVE REASONS TO VISIT LANGUEDOC THIS AUTUMN\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e1. Take a river swim at St Laurent de la Cabrerisse or Ribaute\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e – the water will be glorious and the summer crowds will have melted away.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e2. Visit the vibrant covered market at Les Halles de Narbonne\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e for fresh autumn produce – fat carrots, muddy leeks, early quinces, pumpkins, sweet chestnuts and oyster mushrooms.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e3. Walk the narrow medieval streets of Minerve\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e and explore the caverns beneath the village.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e4. Drink Picpoul with oysters\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e at a waterside shack on the Étang de Thau.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e5. Explore the splendid 12th-century Valmagne Abbey\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e, the Cistercian monastery famous for its enormous wooden wine \u003ci\u003efoudres\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThe Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide: the indispensable guide for wine lovers and the wine-curious.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Academie Du Vin Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57798900449662,"sku":"ADNELAN140","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0566\/3490\/0544\/files\/Languedoc.png?v=1789127430"},{"product_id":"barolo-and-barbaresco-david-gleave","title":"Barolo \u0026 Barbaresco","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Barolo \u0026amp; Barbaresco\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarolo and Barbaresco are among the world’s most dignified and desirable wines; they command the highest auction bids and grace the finest tables. Being from a single, mercurial grape variety – Nebbiolo – their route to perfection chimes closely with that of Pinot Noir and the \u003cem\u003egrands crus\u003c\/em\u003e of Burgundy. Both grapes are highly sensitive to site, and both are renowned for the gorgeous transparency of their wines, which evoke the finest nuances of the vineyard in the glass. Of the two, Nebbiolo is hands down the more difficult: while Pinot makes laudable forays to vineyards around the world, Nebbiolo thrives only in the Langhe. The important part of its story has played out not over the last thousand years, but the last 50 – until as recently as the 1960s, these wines were shrouded in the gloom of Piemonte’s feudal \u003cem\u003emalora\u003c\/em\u003e. Growers in the Langhe are still notoriously secretive; it has taken the charm and intelligence of author David Gleave to persuade the stories of their troubles and triumphs into the light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book, David identifies the finest cru vineyards (or ‘MGAs’) from which Barolo and Barbaresco gain their expression and introduces the people and personalities behind the wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• How Barolo and Barbaresco emerged from the mists and folds of the Langhe hills to become two of the greatest wine regions in the world\u003cbr\u003e• Barolo’s 40-year battle: Tradition vs Modernity in the winery\u003cbr\u003e• Nebbiolo: the complex character differences that come with each MGA vineyard site and why climate change can make all the difference\u003cbr\u003e• From Annunziata to Vigna Rionda: the 60 best Barolo vineyards to watch for\u003cbr\u003e• 32 Barbaresco crus described in detail: from Albesani to Vallegrande\u003cbr\u003e• Over 50 of the top producers profiled: Gaja, Giacosa, Conterno, Voerzio, Mascarello, Burlotto and Massolino… their life stories.\u003cbr\u003e• To match the wine… David Gleave’s personal guide to the Langhe’s outstanding restaurants and enticing food scene…\u003cbr\u003e• Author David Gleave, Master of Wine, is one of the UK’s most trusted wine merchants; a friend and confidant of Piemonte’s finest growers for over four decades\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Académie du Vin Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57864169455998,"sku":"ADDGBAR141","price":75.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0566\/3490\/0544\/files\/BAROLO2.jpg?v=1787157519"},{"product_id":"the-wines-of-tuscany-andrea-eby","title":"The Wines of Tuscany","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: 150%;\"\u003eAbout The Wines of Tuscany\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTuscany’s wines are woven through the fabric of the land and intimately connected to the people who live there. The grape vine has been cultivated here since the time of the Etruscans, who flourished from the eighth century BCE, and its wine story is one of constant evolution that continues to this day. The current generation of winegrowers are creating wines that respect these centuries of tradition while continuing to experiment and question, ensuring there is always something new to discover.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Wines of Tuscany\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, wine educator Andrea Eby guides readers expertly through the wine landscape, detailing all the denominations and introducing the most influential, interesting and innovative producers making wine today. She begins with history, from the early grape growers, through the mixed farms of the Middle Ages, to the Super Tuscan movement of the late twentieth century. Tuscany’s geology is clearly described and Eby shows how landscape and climate are intertwined, although the unpredictability of climate change is now presenting both challenges and opportunities. Tuscany’s ten most important native varieties, including its signature grape, Sangiovese, are profiled in detail and Tuscan wine law explained, followed by a chapter on Vin Santo, Tuscany’s distinctive \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eappassimento\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFamous denominations are covered in detail: the terroir-expressive wines of Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, one of Tuscany’s pure-Sangiovese wines, and the influential Bolgheri region, central to the wider Super Tuscan story. Eby also introduces readers to many smaller and less well-known denominations. Some have centuries of history, like those around the Tuscan capital, Florence, tied to the success and tastes of the city; others, such as those in the previously marshy coastal Maremma, have built their modern reputation in less than a century. Illustrated throughout with colour photographs and maps, the book is a comprehensive guide for visitors to the region and armchair travellers alike.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Académie du Vin Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58123199054206,"sku":"CWAETUS142","price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0566\/3490\/0544\/files\/Wines_of_Tuscany_3D_image.png?v=1790777640"}],"url":"https:\/\/academieduvinlibrary.com\/collections\/gourmand-awards-2026-drinks-book-finalists.oembed","provider":"Academie Du Vin Library","version":"1.0","type":"link"}