The best books on wine tasting

Below you'll find a list of my favorite wine tasting books. They're in random order, as they cater to different audiences. Choose the one you think best suits your level.

Can't figure it out? Feel free to leave a comment, and I'll be happy to help.

Best books on wine tasting

• Beyond flavor by Nick Jackson – For anyone looking to improve their blind tasting skills. Note that this might be a bridge too far for the novice wine drinker, but if you're working on WSET4, for example, it's fantastic. Nick Jackson – now a Master of Wine – found blind tasting difficult. This was because it was based solely on the flavor profile. He discovered that acidity for whites and tannins for reds are also important indicators of a wine's identity. A real eye-opener for me!

• Winefolly by Madeline Puckette This was one of the first books I bought. It describes all the major grape varieties and clearly visualizes their corresponding flavor profiles. It's useful if you're practicing blind tasting, which is the first step. Once you can visualize the flavor profiles, you can move on to the first book on this list: Beyond Flavor.
  

• I taste red by Jamie Goode – Okay, not an easy book either, because Jamie loves to delve into the chemistry. If you're a bit further along, or just really interested in this side of wine, it's a very informative read. It's complex material, but Jamie Goode explains it clearly and slowly.

• Flawless by Jamie Goode – Jamie again, because he simply belongs on your bookshelf. This is about flaws in wine. From minor flaws that we sometimes appreciate to downright disasters like cork.

• Essential Winetasting by Michel Schuster – For 4 euros, the book is on your e-reader. No money. Now, I've devoured quite a few wine books, but this one is (once again) enlightening, innovative, and educational. It starts with a comprehensive explanation of tasting technique and the fact that you can actually practice it. Good wine tasters may seem like super tasters to outsiders, but in reality, they're simply learning and speaking a new language. And you can learn that language too. As long as you keep practicing. Fantastic.

And now you…

These were my top wine tasting books. Do you have another book you often turn to when tasting wine? I'd love to hear about it.