Storied Sips
By Erica Duecy
Random House, October 2013, $22.00
Duecy, an award-winning writer and editor specializing in wine, spirits and travel, spent months researching the story of vintage cocktails for this collection of “evocative cocktails for everyday escapes.” The go-to book for classic cocktails, Storied Sips includes 40 recipes of iconic drinks, along with an origin story of how and why the cocktail was created. The book also includes original mixed media collages by Danish artist Poul Lange.
Boutique Beer: 500 Quality Craft Beers
By Ben McFarland
Barron’s Educational Series September 2013, $29.99
Leading drinks expert, writer, and performer McFarland has been named the Beer Writer of the Year by The British Guild of Beer Writers three times. He delves into the creative casks of American brewhouses, ale-making European nations, and the new crop of brewers across Japan, Scandinavia, and Australia for this roundup of today’s most compelling craft brews. Boutique Beer also offers advice on storage, aging, and glassware; tips for pairing beer with food; and much more. An essential guide to the world’s most distinctive ales as well as the people, personalities, and the inspiration behind them.
The New California Wine
By Jon Bonné
Ten Speed Press, November 2013, $35
The wine editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, Bonné writes from the front lines of the California wine revolution. He details the untold story of the state’s wine industry in this comprehensive guide to the new generation of must-know wines and vintners. The book includes discussions on more than 600 wines and detailed maps of growing regions and vineyards. Part narrative, part authoritative purchasing reference, this is the story of the winemakers who have changed the face of California’s wine industry.
The World Atlas of Wine
By Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson
Octopus Publishing Group, October 2013, $55
The authoritative wine-writing duo of Johnson and Robinson have joined forces again and created a seventh edition of this wine-literature classic. Updates since the last edition of the Atlas was published in 2007 include changes in climate, winemaking techniques and where wine is grown, as well as worldwide wine tends. The Atlas has 215 unique and specially created maps and covers dynamic wine regions, such as coastal Croatia, Canterbury in New Zealand, Swartland in South Africa and Northern Virginia in the U.S. for the first time.
Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book 2014
By Hugh Johnson
Octopus Publishing Group, September 2013, $15.99
Johnson’s 37th edition of this iconic guide has been fully updated and expanded to address the considerable changes in the wine world. The Pocket Wine Book is a combination of Johnson’s personal insight and critical appraisal flavored with his wit, wisdom and enthusiasm. Highlights for 2014 include a supplement on Burgundy and other pinots; reviews of major brands and newly available brands; what to drink in 2014 and what to keep; quick reference vintage charts, and more.