Top 10 books on Australian Wine

Learn a not-snobby wine vocabulary, how and where to buy wine, how to read a wine label, how to smell, swirl, and taste wine, and so much more! Rich with charts, maps, and lists-and the author’s deep knowledge and unpretentious delivery-this vividly illustrated, down-to-earth handbook is a must-have resource for millennials starting to buy, boomers who suddenly have the time and money to hone their appreciation, and anyone seeking a relatable introduction to the world of wine.

Professional journalist and amateur drinker Bianca Bosker didn’t know much about wine–until she discovered an alternate universe where taste reigns supreme, a world of elite sommeliers who dedicate their lives to the pursuit of flavor. Astounded by their fervor and seemingly superhuman sensory powers, she set out to uncover what drove their obsession, and whether she, too, could become a “cork dork.”

With boundless curiosity, humor, and a healthy dose of skepticism, Bosker takes the reader inside underground tasting groups, exclusive New York City restaurants, California mass-market wine factories, and even a neuroscientist’s fMRI machine as she attempts to answer the most nagging question of all: what’s the big deal about wine? What she learns will change the way you drink wine–and, perhaps, the way you live–forever.

Master of Wine Robert Geddes shares his extensive knowledge of wine in this fascinating and detailed companion. Wine is a living and changing expression of life itself. It has a birth, it reflects the places it is raised, it matures in its making and declines with time. Wandering through the art and science that makes the delectable drop, you will find a rich tapestry of human existence revealed. Robert Geddes is one of the few Australian-born Masters of Wine and has studied, drunk and slept in some of the world’s most famous vineyards. A Good Nose & Great Legs is his comprehensive and engaging guide to Australian and international wine culture and lifestyle. With chapters ranging from the history of wine, wine making, varieties, regions, tasting and buying wine to food matching, it is replete with interesting information and insights. In this new edition there is a lot of new information on New Zealand ‘the Island influence’ including a map of wine regions and updates on all the wines throughout. There is also more emphasis on Tasmania’s wine-producing regions. There are new additions that discuss the popularity of organic wine and updates to the new labelling system for fortifies wines in Australia/New Zealand, which have occurred since the first edition. When all is said and done, wine is only a drink frothing, swirling and flickering over your tongue, but a closer look reveals the complexity in its antiquity, flavour, diversity, colour and quality. A Good Nose & Great Legs will lead you through these elements and enhance your wine-drinking experience.

There is no aspect of the Australian wine industry that remains untouched by the hand of James Halliday. In a much-lauded career in wine spanning over forty years and accumulating innumerable awards, James has seen it all.

Join James as he recounts, in his inimitable style, the events and people that have shaped his life to date, including his early beginnings as an assistant in a London brewery, his sojourns in Bordeaux and Burgundy, and the back-breaking labour required to establish two award-winning wineries. Along the way he pays touching tribute to wine pioneer, the late Len Evans – James’ greatest friend and fellow diner through many years of memorable Single Bottle Club dinners.

A stunning updated edition of this unrivalled volume by Australia’s foremost wine industry expert, now with a brand new cover. From deep, supple and mouth-filling Shiraz to golden botrytised Riesling, from delicious gooseberry and grass-driven Sauvignon Blanc to the generosity of sun-kissed Chardonnay, Australia produces wines that are among the best in the world. The diversity of Australian landscapes and soils ensures an optimal environment for every variety of wine grape, whether the cool climate of Tasmania for Pinot Noir, or the Mediterranean summers of the Margaret River in Western Australia for Cabernet Sauvignon. James Halliday analyses every wine region in Australia – and there are over seventy – in this definitive book. He studies the types of grapes grown, the soil, the climate, the winegrowing history, and also introduces the most famous and respected wineries, winemakers and their signature wines. Each section is sumptuously illustrated and features a specially created map highlighting geographic landmarks and the location of the wineries. James Halliday’s Wine Atlas of Australia is a masterwork by Australia’s leading wine critic and authority.

A unique account of the Australian wine industry, this work tells the story of its development throughout the 20th century. Weaving together an oral history full of firsthand recollections from winemakers, cellar hands, business leaders, and grape growers, this record offers personal insights into how Australian wine has received its phenomenal international reputation. From the horse-drawn plough in the vineyard to innovative winemaking technology and the changing tastes of Australian wine drinkers, this book reveals plenty of larrikins and pioneers.

Australian wine is in trouble: just as a growing number of connoisseurs scoff at its taste, the way it’s grown, and how it’s made, hundreds of the country’s small wineries are battling to survive. Thin Skins addresses the forces fighting Australian wine and harming its reputation. In witty, insightful writing that’s a combination of P.J. O’Rourke and Oz Clarke, Campbell Mattison debunks the lies and showcases the people who are saving the industry by producing great wine.

Want to learn more about wine?

See some of our great resources below!

Learn how to hold your wine glass.
Learn more about Australia’s rich wine history.
Learn how to drink wine without looking and sounding like a “wine wanker”!
Learn interesting and little known facts about Australian wine.