Owning a small library of books concerning wine helps fulfill the latter. The following is a listing and short description of books that are most useful in this regard.

First, The Global Encyclopedia of Wine, Chappa, Fallis and Farrell. The entries are systematically arranged by country and by region. It is considered a benchmark publication in the field of wine. It satisfies the most curious reader and adds to his/her knowledge. Start with this one first; it also includes a CD-ROM.

Next, The Oxford Companion To The Wines of North America, Bruce Cass, Editor; Jancis Robinson, Consultant Editor. This offering highlights the geographical, philosophical and commercial variations that distinguish these regional wines. Although California dominates wine production, other wineries and local productions are also showcased. The Companion captures key players comprehensively and candidly. Maps are plentiful along with full color illustrations.

Follow this with The Oxford Companion of Wine, Jancis Robinson. It has won every major book award since its publication in 1994; and has been praised by Frank Prial of the New York Times as,” required reference for anyone who is serious about wine.”

It combines science, history and geography of grape varieties, social and cultural contexts, and everything else. This includes in depth biographies and discussions of wine regions and hundreds of drawings and illustrations. It makes for a lifetime of enjoyment.