This is a list of resources (websites, books, products) that I have personally used for enjoyment, or while studying wine (many, in preparation for exams). I would never recommend something I don’t trust or haven’t used.
Resources are organized by category. Use the Table of Contents to jump to jump to relevent sections quickly!
Free Tasting Tools
These are tools that I’ve created for myself that might be useful to you in your studies.
Simplified Tasting Guide
Learn the steps for proper wine tasting (+ blind tasting) with ease using this quick 3-page step-by-step guide to tasting!
Classic Bottles List
What producers are classic? Which bottles should you use to blind taste? Here’s a curated list with classics from all over the world with space for fill ins!
Wine Flavors, Flaws, & Faults
Compounds create all of those delicious flavors (as well as not-so-delicious flaws or faults) in our glass. Here is a guide to some of the most talked about!
Tasting Notes Framework
To help you organize your thoughts when writing out advanced blind-tasting notes! Includes notes for quality assessment and age-ability.
CMS Advanced Variety Checklist
SWE CWE Variety Checklist
WSET 3 Variety Checklist
WSET Diploma Variety Checklist
Note-Taking Framework
Websites
Wine Knowledge
Jancis Robinson When in doubt, I check with Jancis. One of the most reputable sources.
Tim Gaiser Another great source with approachable material
Wine Wit and Wisdom This is the Society of Wine Educators blog. It is always the most up to date with regional and grape variety information.
Also, check out The Bubbly Professor, this is Jane Nickles (Director of Education for Society of Wine Educators) blog. Great info and study tips galore!
Decanter News, Reviews, Quizzes, Crosswords …pretty much everything here
Vinepair One of the most approachable places to learn
Wine Enthusiast Another approachable platform for wine information
Industry News & Articles
Seven Fifty Daily Beverage Industry articles
WineBusiness.com News and everything else for the wine industry
The Drinks Business Beverage information around the world
Terroirist a great roundup of industry posts and thoughts
Vinography A blog of news and reviews
The Vintner Project A contributor platform for all voices in wine, focusing on wineries and regions
Eater A focus on the restaurant industry along with wine
Countries & Regions
VisitFrenchWine.com Vineyards, Maps, and Experiences of France
Comité Champagne Discover the region of Champagne
Loire Valley Wines Discover the wines of the Loire Valley
Vins De Bordeaux Learn the region of Bordeaux
Vins De Borgogne Learn the region of Burgundy
Beaujolais Discover the area of Beaujolais
Vins-Rhone Learn about the vineyards of the Rhône Valley
Languedoc-Wines Discover and explore Languedoc wines
Italian Wine Central Information about the wines and regions of Italy
Chianti Classico Discover the wines of Chianti Classico
Wines of Sicily Learn about the island of Sicily
Food and Wines from Spain Regions, Wines, Maps, and Food
Rioja Wine Learn about the region and the wineries
Sherry Wines Explore everything Sherry!
Wines of Portugal Learn the regions and wines of Portugal
Wines of Germany Discover and explore German regions and wines
Also, you can learn all about the VDP
Austrian Wine Discover Austria’s regions and wines
TTB Learn about the American Viticulture Areas (AVA’s)
California Wines Regions, Wineries, Events, and Experiences
Napa Valley Vintners Learn about the region and wineries in Napa Valley
Wines of Canada Learn about Canadian wines
South America Wine Guide Regions, varieties, and everything else you need to know about Latin American wine
Wines of Argentina Discover Argentina regions and wines
Wines of Chile Explore the country and regions of Chile
Uruguay Wine The ultimate resource for everything on Uruguay wine!
Wines of South Africa Discover South African wines
Maps
Burgmap.com Interactive map of Burgundy
FederDoc Maps of the individual regions within Italy
TTB The United State AVA map explorer
Seterra Map quizzes of countries, regions, cities, landmarks, etc.
Water & Wines Puzzles are a fun, slightly relaxing way to learn about OR visually recall a region/area
Modern Hobbyist wine region prints are the most beautiful wine maps you’ll find anywhere!
Blind Tasting
Message in the Bottle by Tim Gaiser MS: A great foundation to tasting. Every benchmark you need to know at every level!
Beyond Flavour by Nick Jackson MW: An innovative way to think about structure! All tasting insights are related to acid and tannin and giving them imagery!
Blind Tasting Not Blind Guessing A methodical guide that is specific to the WSET tasting process. Breaking down everything step by step!
Also, individual Certified exam grids for white wines and red wines
WSET Systematic Approach used for levels 2, 3, and 4
SWE Logical Tasting Rationale used at the CWE level
Decanter Tasting notes decoded
Sommify A blind tasting board game that helps you learn to blind taste in an approachable and fun way (Game Night style)
Certifications
SWE (The Society of Wine Educators) This is geared toward those that want to teach others about wine in various jobs. It’s great for retailers or those in any sort of education-based position. They offer two wine certifications, The CSW (Certified Specialist of Wine) + CWE (Certified Wine Educator), as well as spirits certifications and a hospitality certificate.
WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) One of the leading certifications and most approachable for starting out. This is also the prerequisite program to one of the biggest titles in wine: Master of Wine. This certification will aid you in any wine/spirits position, allow you to build your own business in the industry, or educate others.
You can also take this program online through Napa Valley Wine Academy OR American Wine School
WSG (Wine Scholar Guild) Specializes in the wines of France (FWS), Italy (IWS), and Spain (SWS). You become an expert in your region of choice.
CMS (The Court of Master Sommeliers) This is geared to the service industry. If you are focused on working within a restaurant or building a beverage program, this is probably the best path. However, a restaurant background is not mandatory until level 3 (Advanced) and you can receive a Sommelier Certification without restaurant experience, it’s just more difficult.
University Programs
Wine Executive Program (UC Davis) This is tailored to those wanting to master winemaking and management skills. It’s great for anyone looking to become winery managers but would also benefit suppliers, distributors, and other affiliated businesses.
Wine Certificates (Cornell) The university offers three region-based certificates (US, France, and Italy). This is meant for industry experts and wine enthusiasts to expand their knowledge of wine.
Books
Theory & Knowledge
Windows on the World Complete Wine Course One of the most approachable books for starting to learn all the nerdy wine details. Charts and images galore!
The Sommelier Prep Course What I used and suggest for studying for the CMS Intro exam
The Wine Bible Full of fantastic information, but might be overwhelming for starting out, I’d recommend this for mid-level study
The World Atlas of Wine A great collection of region maps and information for mid-level to advanced students. This book really digs into regions.
The New Wine Lover’s Companion Basically an encyclopedia of wine words. Almost any wine term you can think of is listed in this book alphabetically.
The History of Wine in 100 Bottles What the title says! Basically, anything by Oz Clark is worth having.
Certified Specialist of Wine Study Guide I would recommend this even if you aren’t taking this exam. Some of the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Beyond Flavour A book with blind tasting insights, related to structure/mouthfeel and giving imagery to a wine vs using standard tasting notes
The Sommeliers Atlas of Taste A book that goes deep into the arguable concept of terroir
Food & Wine Pairing
What to Drink with What You EatMy GO-TO for what foods to pair with any beverage or what beverages will go best with what I’m cooking/eating.
Perfect Pairings Another great practical and easy to follow food and wine pairing guide
Service & Hospitality
Setting the Table A rich book full of tips for anyone working in the hospitality industry, based on experiences of one of NYC’s most successful restaurateurs
Front of the House Another great book on what quality service looks like
Memoirs & Enjoyable Reads
Cork Dork A humorous and honest journey into studying for the CMS exam
Wine Girl The story of the country’s youngest Sommelier and her experiences
Vignette An educational journey through stories of one of the worlds most thoughtful Sommeliers
99 Bottles A well-illustrated and unconventional wine guide, with stories from one of the most celebrated Sommeliers
Gold in the Vineyards A picture book by winemaker Laura Catena, highlighting some of the most celebrated vineyards in the world
Other Educational Sources
Podcasts
Wine for Normal People One of my first downloaded and favorite wine podcasts. Rich in information and extremely friendly and fun.
Matthew’s World of Wine and Drink Another great approachable listen to various regions and wines
SommTV A Glass for Every Palate Chatting with some influential people in wine
Vinepair Always covering some great industry topics and fun beverages
Apps
VinoQuiz The best wine quiz app I have found yet!
Quizlet Aaaand for when you want to make your own flashcards
CellarTracker Great for those ready to start saving special wines
Forvo Helpful for pronunciation
Products
Coravin If you want to taste a number of wines in the same night without wasting any bottles, this is a must-have! It’s allowed me to be able to taste through a couple of pregnancies as well!
Pulltap’s Corkscrew The only wine opener I will ever need
Riedel Glassware Some of my favorite glasses, elegant, but not paper-thin
Retail
Buy Wine Online
Before this, make sure to support your local small business wine shops. They are bound to have hidden gems and quality small production wines not always found in larger stores or supermarkets! Not to mention knowledgeable people happy to help you find what you enjoy.
Wine Library Great producers at a great price
Wine Access Great wines, limited quantities, solid prices.
WineBid Easy online auction for fine and rare wines
Primal Wine Natural/Organic/Biodynamic
Tannico Specializing in Italian Producers
↑ Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means that I will earn a commission if you choose to purchase them. I will never recommend anything that isn’t valuable or useful in my wine study journey, or something I have no experience with. I hope these products/resources are equally helpful in your wine journey.
