I love to read. It relaxes me before bed and allows me to stop my brain from circling around all the stresses and tasks I am juggling. I also learn so much from reading both fiction and non-fiction. I am always looking for both good characters and an interesting plot, but also a new perspective or topic that I haven’t thought about before.
Of course, I also love wine! Diving into the world of wine through literature combines the two! Wine also makes topics I wouldn’t normally read about much more interesting. I would not usually pick up a book about World War II or Napoleon, but a book about Champagne during World War II - YES! Here is a curated list of some of my favorite books about wine. They range from historical biographies of legendary Champagne figures like Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin (aka Veuve Clicquot) to dramatic accounts of the Champagne region during World War II and bestselling wine fiction set in sun-drenched vineyards across Europe and California.
The Legends of Champagne
"The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It" by Tilar J. Mazzeo. A New York Times bestseller, this biography tells the remarkable true story of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin. After her husband’s death, she defied 19th-century conventions to lead her family’s wine business, inventing the riddling process and transforming Veuve Clicquot into a global Champagne icon.
"Champagne: How the World's Most Glamorous Wine Triumphed over War and Hard Times" by Don and Petie Kladstrup. This compelling history explores how vintners in the Champagne region endured wars and economic collapses while preserving the prestige of the world’s most celebrated sparkling wine.
"Wine and War: The French, the Nazis, and the Battle for France's Greatest Treasure" by Don and Petie Kladstrup. A gripping non-fiction account of how French winemakers protected their finest vintages from Nazi “weinführers” sent to plunder cellars during the occupation of France.
"The Winemaker’s Wife" by Kristin Harmel. A bestselling historical fiction novel set in the Champagne region during WWII. It follows a young woman living at a prestigious vineyard that becomes a secret hub for the French Resistance. Not all the wine references here are very accurate, but it is a compelling story.
"The Widows of Champagne" by Renee Ryan. This novel tells the story of three generations of women at a family vineyard in Reims who must protect their legacy during German occupation.
Top-Selling Wine Fiction & Vineyard Mysteries
"Sideways" by Rex Pickett. The novel that inspired the Academy Award-winning film. A comedic yet poignant story following two friends on a wine-tasting road trip through Santa Ynez Valley. It is a great book even if you have already seen the movie many times!
"A Good Year" by Peter Mayle. Set in the Luberon region of Provence, this bestseller follows a London banker who inherits a struggling vineyard and discovers a slower, richer pace of life. This is more about Provence than wine, but still involves a lot of eating and drinking.
"The Lost Vintage" by Ann Mah. A dual-timeline novel set in Burgundy, centered on a sommelier-in-training who uncovers a hidden cellar containing secrets from WWII.
"Eight Hundred Grapes" by Laura Dave. A bestselling vineyard novel set in Sonoma, exploring family dynamics and long-buried secrets.
Non-Fiction Bestsellers
"The Billionaire’s Vinegar: The Mystery of the World's Most Expensive Bottle of Wine" by Benjamin Wallace. A fascinating true-crime narrative about a rare bottle of Chateau Lafite, allegedly once owned by Thomas Jefferson, and the scandal that rocked the high-end wine collecting world.
"The House of Mondavi: The Rise and Fall of an American Wine Dynasty" by Julia Flynn Siler. A New York Times bestseller chronicling the rivalry and ambition behind the family that helped establish Napa Valley as a global wine destination.
"The Wine Bible" by Karen MacNeil. One of the top-selling wine reference books of all time, offering comprehensive coverage of major wine regions, grape varieties, and tasting techniques. This is one of the best references books you can purchase if you want to learn about wine regions for travel or just to explore and try new wines!
"The Taste of Wine: The Art Science of Wine Appreciation" by Émile Peynaud. THE definitive guide to wine tasting, blending the science of oenology with the art of sensory appreciation. It covers the physiology of the senses, tasting techniques, vocabulary, and quality assessment, making it essential for both professionals and serious amateurs.
Continue Your Wine Journey
Reading about wine history, Champagne legends, and vineyard fiction is a wonderful way to deepen your appreciation for what’s in your glass.
If these books inspire you to explore exceptional wines for yourself, we invite you to discover our thoughtfully crafted, cool-climate wines from Michigan.
👉 Explore our curated wine selection here:
https://veritasestatewinery.com/wine
Pour a glass, open a book, and savor the story. 🍷
Cheers,
Sherry