The Wine List - by Grant Reynolds (Hardcover)

About the Book

A one-of-a-kind exploration of the relationship between culture, politics, history, and wine.

Vintage refers to the year grapes are harvested, and that vintage holds meaning. You can look up the weather in any almanac, but some stories are known only to insiders--until now. In this wine book Grant Reynolds, award-winning sommelier, deciphers these signatures to reveal the impact of marketing and mentorship, technology and trends, and influencers old and new. Beginning in the late eighteenth century with a tale about Thomas Jefferson's secret White House stash and spanning over a quarter of a millennium to social media's effect on chenin blanc's popularity, The Wine List explores both the chemistry and sociology that have made vintages taste a certain way, fetch a certain price, or go extinct altogether. Featuring sidebars on topics like the taste of climate change, mini timelines capturing significant historical moments, and collage-style illustration, these entries solidify the idea that every bottle is a product of a particular moment in time.

A must-read for fans of wine books like Wine Folly or The World Atlas of Wine, The Wine List is a fresh new wine bible perfect for anyone looking for bar cart books or gifts for wine lovers.

Book Synopsis

A one-of-a-kind exploration of the relationship between culture, politics, history, and wine.

Vintage refers to the year grapes are harvested, and that vintage holds meaning. You can look up the weather in any almanac, but some stories are known only to insiders--until now. In this wine book Grant Reynolds, award-winning sommelier, deciphers these signatures to reveal the impact of marketing and mentorship, technology and trends, and influencers old and new. Beginning in the late eighteenth century with a tale about Thomas Jefferson's secret White House stash and spanning over a quarter of a millennium to social media's effect on chenin blanc's popularity, The Wine List explores both the chemistry and sociology that have made vintages taste a certain way, fetch a certain price, or go extinct altogether. Featuring sidebars on topics like the taste of climate change, mini timelines capturing significant historical moments, and collage-style illustration, these entries solidify the idea that every bottle is a product of a particular moment in time.

A must-read for fans of wine books like Wine Folly or The World Atlas of Wine, The Wine List is a fresh new wine bible perfect for anyone looking for bar cart books or gifts for wine lovers.

Review Quotes

"There's always magic behind something that tastes great--whether it's a simple dish or a bottle of wine. Learning about the passion and craft in the world's greatest wines through the lens of one of the best sommeliers makes this both an informative and exciting read. Reynolds draws out the art from this technical science, offering a fresh and clever perspective."
--Daniel Humm, chef and owner of Eleven Madison Park

"This is a fascinating, story-filled volume that provides wine aficionados with an insider view, but it's also a great read for anyone wanting more information about the world of wine."
--Library Journal, STARRED Review

"Sommelier Grant Reynolds explores this complicated intersection of culture, politics, technology, and wine in his sweeping new book. Its pages zoom out, zoom in, and calibrate to give readers a 360 view of why we reach for the significant bottles we drink."
--VinePair

"The author's approach here is unique, and that's saying a lot when it comes to wine. So many different approaches have been taken, but the focus here is vintages. With a readable style, he dives into what makes them special and drops trivial tidbits about the respective years along the way."
--Cleveland Plain Dealer

"It is filled with wine info and insider stories, and it's an enjoyable read."
--Cape Gazette

"Never before has there been a more thoughtful and thoroughly researched almanac of winemaking. Spanning time, space, geography, and world history, with a deep appreciation for the artistry of this ancient (and ever-evolving!) craft, The Wine List is a modern grape lover's greatest companion. And Grant Reynolds is the ultimate time-traveling, super-tasting guide."
--Gail Simmons, food expert, TV host, and author of Bringing It Home: Favorite Recipes from a Life of Adventurous Eating

"A noteworthy addition"
--Forbes

About the Author