Wine & beverages - History
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Books – Wine & beverages – History

Books 1 to 20 of 58 – History

Whiskey and Philosophy  by Fritz Allhoff and Marcus P. Adams
Contains essays on the history, significance, and pleasures of whiskey. This work covers subjects ranging from geographical origin to stylistic differences between whiskey and Scotch. It explores philosophical ideas such as the aesthetics, metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics of whiskey and whiskey drinking

Paperback,  384 pp,  $27.95. Buy now

Art of Vintage  by Serena Suttcliffe, Jean-Pierre Devroey and Federico Simonti and others
Written by wine critic Serena Suttcliffe, historian Jean-Pierre Devroey and the art specialist Federico Simonti, the Art of Vintage offers us a fascinating, original and creative insight into the art and history of the times through the legendary vintages of Perrier-Jouet champagne, one of the most famous champagne houses in the world, well known for its Curee Belle Epoque and the Flower Bottle Champagne. From the oldest vintage champagne of 1825 to the first vintage of the new millennium in 2002, the book details the striking, delicate and pleasurable relationship between Art and Vintage. Each chapter is illustrated by a collection of relevant historical illustrations summarized over two pages with special and exclusive photography taken b

,  456 pp,  $125.00. Buy now

Wolf Blass: Behind the Bow Tie  by Liz Johnston
Wolf Blass is an icon of the Australian wine industry, the man and the brand are recognised around the world. This book traces his life, right up to the present day.

Paperback,  $39. pp,  $39.99. Buy now

Field Days  by Jonah Raskin
‘Sooner or later, nearly everyone who cares about wine and food comes to Sonoma’ – so begins this lively excursion to a spectacular region that has become known internationally as a locavore’s paradise. Part memoir, part vivid reportage, Field Days chronicles the renaissance in farming organically and eating locally that is unfolding in Northern California. Jonah Raskin tells of the year he spent on Oak Hill Farm – working the fields, selling produce at farmers’ markets, and following it to restaurants. He also goes behind the scenes at Whole Foods. In this luminous account of his experiences, Raskin introduces a dynamic cast of characters – farmers, chefs, winemakers, farm workers, and environmentalists. They include such luminaries as War

,  344 pp,  $55.95. Buy now

The Billionaire’s Vinegar  by Benjamin Wallace
“Part detective story, part wine history, this is one juicy tale, even for those with no interest in the fruit of the vine. . . . As delicious as a true vintage Lafite.” -“BusinessWeek” “The Billionaire’s Vinegar” tells the true story of a 1787 Chateau Lafite Bordeaux-supposedly owned by Thomas Jefferson-that sold for $156,000 at auction and of the eccentrics whose lives intersected with it. Was it truly entombed in a Paris cellar for two hundred years? Or did it come from a secret Nazi bunker? Or from the moldy basement of a devilishly brilliant con artist? As Benjamin Wallace unravels the mystery, we meet a gallery of intriguing players-from the bicycle-riding British auctioneer who speaks of wines as if they are women to the obsessive

Paperback,  323 pp,  $20.95. Buy now

Hideous Absinthe  by Jad Adams
Mysteriously sophisticated, darkly alluring, almost Satanic: absinthe was the drink of choice for Baudelaire, Verlaine and Wilde. It inspired paintings by Degas and Manet, van Gogh and Picasso. It was blamed for conditions ranging from sterility to madness, to French defeats in World War I. The campaign against ‘the devil in a bottle’ resulted in its ban throughout most of Europe. Hideous Absinthe is a biography of the ‘green fairy’ that questions the basis of anti-absinthe hysteria and describes how absinthe came to symbolise the high points of art and the depths of degeneration. It comes up-to-date via the thrill-seeking American absinthe drinkers in the twentieth century, from Hemingway to the backpackers of Prague and covers the redisco

Paperback,  304 pp,  $28.00. Buy now

The Ritz London Book of Drinks and Cocktails  by Jennie Reekie
An irresistible collection of cocktails and drinks from the London Ritz hotel. Not only a wonderful selection of recipes, but charming stories and anecdotes about the history of the hotel itself. The sumptuous grandeur of the London Ritz and its professional and creative barmen have made it one of the great traditional meeting places. From the stories about the famous people who frequented the bar and the cocktails created just for them, to the behind-the-scenes workings of the bar and its secret recipes, the book offers a nostalgic insight into the life and times of this world famous venue. Beautifully illustrated throughout.

,  64 pp,  $23.95. Buy now

Jane Hunter  by Tessa Anderson
From Marlborough to Manhattan, from Rapaura Road to the Ritz – the inspiring story of a quiet, unassuming woman who took her wines to the world. Jane Hunter had no romantic illusions about life among the vines. Growing up in South Australia, she always knew it was a business. When she met Ernie Hunter, a passionate, larger-than-life Irishman with a fledgling vineyard, they were the perfect team. Their complementary talents – his for dreaming large and her knowledge and experience – clearly belonged together. Ernie’s genius for promotion saw their wines win international acclaim and their future seemed clear. It would be hard, but they had the right terroir and their wines were world class. When Ernie died tragically in a road accident, Jane

,   $43.99. Buy now

Cocktails 
Kickstart any social occasion with this collection of over 200 cocktail recipes based on either rum, gin, vodka or tequila. The perfect companion for any cocktail party or simply a source of ideas for refreshing and unusual drinks to be enjoyed anytime, the cocktails included range from renowned favourites, such as the Bloody Mary, Pina Colada, Dry Martini, Tequila Sunrise and Margarita, to some exciting originals such as Coco Loco and Bombay Smash. Also included are expert tips and ‘Did you know?’ boxes explaining the history behind the drinks.

Paperback,  128 pp,  $14.99. Buy now

Yuengling  by Mark A. Noon
In 1829, in Pottsville USA, German immigrant D.G. Yuengling set up shop to slake the thirst of immigrants flocking to the region’s coalfields. Five generations have steered the family-owned brewery through fires, temperance, depressions, Prohibition, and the whims of changing tastes.The book follows the brewery from its immigrant beginnings, into the age of bottled beer, through the dark days of Prohibition. It also survived the age of consolidation when the big names swallowed up or buried most regional brews and into the age of microbrews. Finally consumers turned away from bland brands in search of a beer with character, leading to Yuengling’s resurgence on the national scene.

Paperback,  231 pp,  $64.95. Buy now

Grape vs. Grain  by Charles W. Bamforth
Why is wine considered more sophisticated even though the production of beer is much more technologically complex? Why is wine touted for its health benefits when beer has more nutrition value? Why does wine conjure up images of staid dinner parties while beer denotes screaming young partiers? Charles Bamforth explores several paradoxes involving beer and wine, paying special attention to the culture surrounding each. He argues that beer can be just as grown-up and worldly as wine and be part of a healthy, mature lifestyle. Both beer and wine have histories spanning thousands of years. This books their histories, technologies, and markets, and the effect that they have on human health and nutrition.

,  224 pp,  $40.95. Buy now

History in a Glass  by Ruth Reichl and Gourmet Magazine
New York Times bestselling author Ruth Reichl reread sixty-five years of wine articles in Gourmet to select the best for History in a Glass. The result is a rollicking tale of great meals, great walks, and wonderful drinks as Americans discover the pleasures of wine. These marvelous essays were written by men and women who were not only on hand to witness wine’s boom but, in many cases, helped to foster the environment that made it thrive. The early days after World War II provided a great opportunity for James Beard and Frank Schoonmaker to reacquaint oenophiles with the joys of European wines. Through tireless dispatches from the Continent, they inspired American vintners to produce world-class wines on their own rich soil. In subsequent

Paperback,  400 pp,  $23.95. Buy now

A Love Affair with Wine  by Church Road
This is a beautiful gift book for any wine lover. More an art book than a technical book – full of stylish photographs from the world of wine, the vineyard and around Hawke’s Bay – the book has been produced by a team of writers, designers and stylists, and has amazing images by top photographer Derek Henderson. The text covers the history of the land, the vineyard and the people who have worked there, plus readable material on wine and winemaking techniques. The vineyard’s place in the community is examined, especially its much-loved jazz festival held every summer. Overall the book is a celebration of wine and its place in our lives.

,  132 pp,  $95.00. Buy now

Beer and Philosophy  by Steven D. Hales
From the dawn of civilization, human beings have bent elbows together to consume beer. Beer is the most democratic of all beverages, making it an excellent vehicle for examining everyday life, Beer and Philosophy is written for beer lovers who want to think while they drink. It playfully explores a multitude of philosophical questions: What is the definition of an authentic beer and is its goodness context-dependent? Is it preferable to drink large quantities of Pabst Blue Ribbon or better to consume smaller amounts of Chimay Blue Grande Reserve? Can the existence of high quality brew be used to prove the theory of Intelligent Design? The contributors to this volume present intriguing and often humorous arguments for how complex philosophic

Paperback,  248 pp,  $29.95. Buy now

When Champagne Became French  by Kolleen M. Guy
Scholars sharply disagree, not only over the nature of French national identity but also over the extent to which diverse and sometimes hostile provincial communities became integrated into the nation. Kolleen M. Guy offers a new perspective on this debate by looking at one of the central elements in French national culture – luxury wine. Focusing on the development of the champagne industry between 1820 and 1920, she draws on concepts from social and cultural history, and shows how champagne helped fuel the revolution in consumption as social groups searched for new ways to develop cohesion and to establish status.

Paperback,  280 pp,  $57.95. Buy now

Moonshine!  by Matthew B. Rowley
Never before has there been such a richly illustrated, thorough, and entertaining celebration of the history of making fine distilled spirits. Take a trip through moonshining’s past, then get in on the fun with how-to instructions, learn how to build a still, basic distilling techniques, and dozens of recipes, all adapted for the beginner. Whiskies, brandies, grappa, schnapps: they’re all here, along with dozens of page-turning quotes, song lyrics, and vintage photographs and illustrations

Paperback,  176 pp,  $20.95. Buy now

Land of Amber Waters  by Doug Hoverson
For centuries, brewmasters both professional and homegrown have pursued the perfect pour–a delectable combination of barley, yeast, water, and hops–and few regions can claim as devoted a relationship to beer as Minnesota. Dedicated home brewers and casual pub crawlers alike will be amazed by the stories of Minnesota beers and breweries featured in Land of Amber Waters. Starting with the first brewery in 1849, Doug Hoverson tells the story from the first illegal brewer at Fort Snelling to the craft brewers and major companies of today. Nearly 300 breweries have opened and operated at one time or another in 125 cities and towns around the state.

,  360 pp,  $55.95. Buy now

The Business of Spirits  by Noah Rothbaum
Walk into a liquor store today and you’ll be faced with an unprecedented variety of vodka, gin, whisky, cognac, rum and even tequila. In the past decade, the amount of spirits sold in bars, stores and restaurants has climbed nearly sixty percent. Celebrating the acumen of the businessmen and craftsmen responsible for this phenomenal sales growth, The Business of Spirits: How Savvy Marketers, Innovative Distillers, and Entrepreneurs Changed How We Drink, is a cocktail of history and insight into a rapidly growing industry. Journalist Noah Rothbaum takes readers from the cellars of Cognac, France, to the Scottish Highlands to the agave fields of Mexico to find out what’s now driving this age old industry. The book explores new production tech

,  208 pp,  $34.95. Buy now

A History of Wine in America: v. 1  by THOMAS PINNEY
The history of wine in America is, in many ways, the history of American origins and of American enterprise in microcosm. While much of that history has been lost to sight, especially after Prohibition, the recovery of the record has been the goal of many investigators over the years, and the results are here brought together for the first time. In print in its entirety for the first time, A History of Wine in America is the most comprehensive account of winemaking in the United States, from the Norse discovery of native grapes in 1001 A.D., through Prohibition, and up to the present expansion of winemaking in every state.

Paperback,  554 pp,  $67.95. Buy now

A History of Wine in America: v. 2  by THOMAS PINNEY
Engagingly written, exhaustively researched, and rich in detail, this book describes how Prohibition devastated the wine industry, the various New Deal measures that affected wine, and the early markets and methods. Thomas Pinney goes on to examine the effects of World War II and how the troubled postwar years led to the great wine boom of the late 1960s, the spread of winegrowing to almost every state, and its continued expansion to the present day. Pinney’s sweeping narrative comprises a lively cast of characters that includes politicians, bootleggers, entrepreneurs, growers, scientists, and visionaries. He is the first to tell the complete and connected story of the rebirth of the wine industry in California, now one of the most success

Paperback,  548 pp,  $67.95. Buy now

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