The remarkable untold story of France’s courageous, clever vinters who protected and rescued the country’s most treasured commodity from German plunder during World War II.

"To be a Frenchman means to fight for your country and its wine."
–Claude Terrail, owner, Restaurant La Tour d’Argent

In 1940, France fell to the Nazis and almost immediately the German army began a campaign of pillaging one of the assets the French hold most dear: their wine. Like others in the French Resistance, winemakers mobilized to oppose their occupiers, but the tale of their extraordinary efforts has remained largely unknown–until now. This is the thrilling and harrowing story of the French wine producers who undertook ingenious, daring measures to save their cherished crops and bottles as the Germans closed in on them. Wine and War illuminates a compelling, little-known chapter of history, and stands as a tribute to extraordinary individuals who waged a battle that, in a very real way, saved the spirit of France.

The Whisky Cubes Pack is the perfect gift for any lover of whisky. Not only does the pack contain a book informing the whisky-lover about hundreds of whisky brands and distillers in Britain, Ireland and North America, there is a guide to the process of distillation and tasting notes. In addition to this, the pack contains eight soapstone cubes which can be placed in a freezer and dropped into a glass and used as a replacement for ice, one that doesn't dilute the golden liquid.

The author, Jim Murray, is one of the most respected men in whisky, on both sides of the Atlantic and his passionate views about Scotch, Irish, Rye and Bourbon are respected by those in the know. He writes in a unique style, with his passion coming through as he explains why a distillery is different to its neighbour maybe only a few miles away and showing how a slight variation in the distillation and/or storage process makes for an entirely different tasting experience. If you are already a connoisseur of whisky, want to become one, or just enjoy the occasional tipple, The Whisky Cubes Pack is as welcome as your favourite dram.

This is a zingy collection of sophisticated concoctions for every occasion. It features more than 30 sensational ideas to make your party go with a swing. It features traditional cocktails such as Mint Julep and Harvey Wallbanger as well as excitingly different Coffee & Chocolate Flip and Chilli Vodkatini. You can discover exotic non-alcoholic cocktails using fresh ginger, mango, pineapple, kumquats, ice cream and refreshing fruit syrups. It includes information on a wide variety of cocktail ingredients and useful equipment. Chapters include Classic & Sophisticated, Short & Lively, Coolers & Thirst Quenchers, and Fresh & Non-alcoholic. The cocktail was traditionally made from only two spirits or liqueurs, but today it may also include such exotic ingredients as coconut milk and tropical fruits. While simple cocktails like the Manhattan and Margarita have not lost their popularity, they have been joined by more elaborate mixtures such as Blue Hawaiian and Mai Tai. You can learn how to make these and many more with the help of this book, which gives clear instructions for all kinds of sophisticated cocktails - not forgetting delicious non-alcoholic creations.With information on ingredients, equipment and techniques, this guide is the perfect introduction to making and serving great cocktails.

Written by the Fortnum & Mason Drinks Writer of the Year 2020. Updated with more than 80 new gins. With more gin brands available than ever before, you need to know how to choose and get the most out of the brands you buy, understanding their flavours so you drink them in the most delicious way possible. Award-winning spirits writer Dave Broom has tested thousands of gins from all over the world to choose the 125 selected to appear in this book. As well as the gin selection, he has also tasted and scored each one four ways - in a G&T, a negroni, a martini and with lemonade (a gin that's perfect for a martini may be exactly the opposite in a G&T). So not only do you get to drink the world's best gins, you get to drink them in the best possible way. Praise for the first edition: "You could not write a more sophisticated book or pack more detail onto each page...it is rocket science impressive" - Huffington Post

"Veteran wine books are by modern standards short on facts." - Decanter Magazine "This is an inspirational book well worth your time." - Eric Asimov on Instagram "If you want to learn about wine, switch off your phone, buy these two books and enjoy them with a nice glass of something." - The Critic "This is a don't-miss book for people who plan their travels around vineyards." - Washington Post In this unique approach to understanding wine, Hugh Johnson, the world's best-loved wine author, weaves the story of his own epic wine journey with an embracing view of everything he has discovered along the way. Almost without realising it, the reader is drawn into a fascinating world; with each page turned, knowledge is gained and wine wisdom absorbed. Hugh takes us from the teetering ledges of the Mosel and majestic chateaux of the Medoc to the sylvan slopes of Windsor Great Park with a spring in his step and a tasting glass at the ready. No one writes so infectiously on every aspect of wine, whether human or cultural, technical or historical. This book is peppered with anecdotes and personal recollections, infused with the sheer delight Hugh finds in his subject. It is a book with a story to tell and a mastery of wine to impart. Previously published as Wine, A Life Uncorked 2005, now updated with new chapters.

Following the success of African Brew, the first ever book to showcase the South African craft beer scene, beer-centric author Lucy Corne is back with a second homage to hops and grain. Beer Safari takes readers on a journey through the microbreweries of South Africa, stopping to chat to each brewer along the way.

The book is laid out geographically to assist the reader in planning his or her own beer safari. Look out for the 'Big Five Pints' – the author’s pick of the very best South African craft beers. There is also space for beer aficionados to scribble their own tasting notes alongside each brewery’s beer menu.

Beer Safari is the only South African beer book whose author has, in person, visited every one of the 100-plus breweries to get the brewers’ stories, photograph their often quirky brewing setups and of course, to taste their beers. Peppered between the inspiring tales of passionate brewers, are snippets of essential beer knowledge – ideal for the 'beerginner' – alongside checklists that will appeal to newbie beer drinkers and veterans alike. Whether readers are looking for family-friendly beery weekends away, the cutest brewpubs with the finest views or a list of where to go for South Africa’s hoppiest ales, Beer Safari is a comprehensive and user-friendly guide.

The directory showcases everything needed to continue the beer journey – for those who prefer to enjoy other people’s wares, there are recommendations for liquor stores and bars offering a supreme selection of beer. Those who yearn to brew their own will find information on homebrewing stores, courses and clubs throughout the country. Written in Corne’s signature light-hearted style, and with a fresh, vibrant design, Beer Safari perfectly captures the exciting and unpretentious nature that characterises the South African craft beer scene.

Thoughtful essays on the history, significance, and pleasures of whiskey

Everyone becomes a philosopher with a drink in hand, but "Whiskey & Philosophy" takes this natural pairing to a new level. It explores a range of philosophical topics related to whiskey through engaging reflections written by philosophers, whiskey writers, and others.

You will learn things that are both practical (how do tasting notes vary across guides and whiskey brands?) and thought provoking (why is there the popular conception that drinking whiskey makes people mean, and is it true?). Whether your interest lies in the drink itself or in the philosophical issues surrounding it, you'll find something to interest you in this unusual book.Covers subjects ranging from geographical origin to stylistic differences between whiskey and ScotchExplores philosophical ideas such as the aesthetics, metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics of whiskey and whiskey drinkingIncludes contributions from academics, journalists, and whiskey specialists, all written in an engaging and accessible style

Whether you prefer your whiskey neat or in a Manhattan, from the United States, Scotland, or elsewhere, "Whiskey & Philosophy" is your perfect drinking companion.

Thoughtful essays on the history, significance, and pleasures of whiskey

Everyone becomes a philosopher with a drink in hand, but "Whiskey & Philosophy" takes this natural pairing to a new level. It explores a range of philosophical topics related to whiskey through engaging reflections written by philosophers, whiskey writers, and others.

You will learn things that are both practical (how do tasting notes vary across guides and whiskey brands?) and thought provoking (why is there the popular conception that drinking whiskey makes people mean, and is it true?). Whether your interest lies in the drink itself or in the philosophical issues surrounding it, you'll find something to interest you in this unusual book.Covers subjects ranging from geographical origin to stylistic differences between whiskey and ScotchExplores philosophical ideas such as the aesthetics, metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics of whiskey and whiskey drinkingIncludes contributions from academics, journalists, and whiskey specialists, all written in an engaging and accessible style

Whether you prefer your whiskey neat or in a Manhattan, from the United States, Scotland, or elsewhere, "Whiskey & Philosophy" is your perfect drinking companion.

Brought together in one delightful and informative guide are the top 101 cocktails to try before you die, from the classics (Old-Fashioned, Manhattan, Vesper) to the less well-known (Scofflaw, Irish Mermaid, Bramble). With fascinating insight, this book takes the reader on a captivating tour through history's most famous (and infamous) cocktails. Each entry comes with a detailed history, entertaining anecdotes and of course a list of ingredients, as well as retellings of cocktail myths and legends. Whether you are a spirits aficionado or simply enjoy a good drink, this is the must-have cocktail handbook.

Wine. The word calls to mind vineyards descending stark Spanish hills, vats lining Tuscan villages, fashionable singles crowding California tasting rooms. But anyone who hikes or bikes back roads in the Upper Midwest sees grapevines twining over fence posts and twisting up trees. Smooth, delicious wines are made from those grapes, and from the wild berries and cultivated fruits grown in the region. Wineries of Wisconsin and Minnesota is a user-friendly guide to fifty-five wineries, ranging from small family-farm operations to the largest, best-known wine producers. The book's centerpiece is a series of thirteen "wine trails" that paints a picture of each winery's setting and unique flavor and includes detailed information and maps for visiting the wineries. Author and wine expert Patricia Monaghan explores the colourful history of Wisconsin and Minnesota wines, including the geology and climate of the region: the history of Upper Midwest grape growing; the heritage of country wines, and the major wine regions in the area. Delightful sidebars feature tidbits of wine information, from recommended pairings of food and wine to unusual local wine lore.

An innovative, captivating tour of the finest whiskies the world has to offer, brought to you by bestselling author and whisky connoisseur Tristan Stephenson. Tristan explores the origins of whisky, from the extraordinary Chinese distillation pioneers well over 2,000 years ago to the discovery of the medicinal 'aqua vitae' (water of life), through to the emergence of what we know as whisky. Explore the magic of malting, the development of flavour and the astonishing barrel-ageing process as you learn about how whisky is made. In the main chapter, Tristan takes us on a journey through 56 distilleries around the world, exploring their remarkable quirks, unique techniques and flavours, featuring all new location photography from the Scottish Highlands to Tennessee. After that, you might choose to make the most of Tristan's bar skills with some inspirational whisky-based cocktails. This fascinating, comprehensive book is sure to appeal to whisky aficionados and novices alike.

Can you name America's oldest brewery? If visions of outsized draft horses plod to mind, you're way off. Instead, head for the mountains - of northeastern Pennsylvania. In 1829, in Pottsville, German immigrant D.G. Yuengling set up shop to slake the thirst of immigrants flocking to the region's booming anthracite coalfields. Five generations have steered the family-owned brewery through fires, temperance, depressions, Prohibition, and the whims of changing tastes; outlasted hundreds of local competitors; and turned Yuengling from a regional name into a national institution. For 175 years, the hard-working, hands-on approach of Yuengling has kept it going, and growing, while thousands of other brands vanished into history's recycling bin.Kick back, relax, and crack open a cool history of Yuengling and Son, Inc., America's oldest brewery. It begins with the brewery's founding in 1829 by German immigrant D.G. Yuengling, who saw an opportunity in the region's growing, beer-loving immigrant population. Subsequent chapters follow the brewery into the age of bottled beer and advertising; through the dark days of Prohibition; the age of consolidation, when a few big names swallowed up or buried most regional brews; and into the age of microbrews, when consumers turned away from bland brands in search of a beer with character, leading to Yuengling's resurgence on the national scene. An epilogue gauges the company's current status and immediate future, and a chronology lists key events in the brewery's existence. Notes and copious illustrations supplement this history, which also includes a list of reference works, and an index.

This book invites readers to discover an exceptional wine grown in the French region of Bordeaux. Chateau Cantemerle, which has been a vineyard since the Middle Ages, has a unique history full of mystery and intrigue. To tell its story, Valerie Labadie has created an original narrative, combining her own insights with the imagined memory of Baroness de Villeneuve, a 19th-century ancestor who signed the important Bordeaux Wine Official Classification documents in 1855. With 150 stunning, atmospheric photographs, Labadie takes readers on a journey around the vineyard, revealing a mansion that looks like Sleeping Beauty's castle, mysterious shadowy cellars, and a romantic 200-acre park in which wine-lovers can be lost for hours. Including a detailed history of Cantemerle's wines, this beautiful book will seduce wine lovers as they drift through its pages, ideally with a glass of Bordeaux in hand.

A Spirited Look at Drinks in Pop Culture "...celebrates drinking lore across a wide range of comic book and video game universes..." WineMag.com #1 New Release in Alcoholic Drinks & Beer Sci-fi and fantasy worlds are full of characters who know that sometimes magic happens at the bar. In addition to being a mixed drinks and alcoholic drinks book, Drink Like a Geek is a look at iconic drinks and the roles they play in our pop culture our favorite movies, shows, books, and comics. It's also a toast to the geeks, nerds, and gamers who keep this pop culture alive. Flights of fantasy. Drink Like a Geek is a fan encyclopedia and cocktail book. Because we strongly encourage audience participation, dozens of recipes for otherworldly cocktails, brews, and booze are included. A great 21st birthday idea. If you're looking for nerd gifts, Drink Like a Geek raises the bar. Homebrewers and mixology geeks who are fans of superheroes, wizards, or intergalactic adventure will also enjoy this book's celebration of real-world bar-arcades, geeky Tiki culture, and the surprising connections between space and modern booze. In Drink Like a Geek, you'll find entertainment and drinks for fans who love: Sci-fi Comic books Wizards Genre TV B-movies Videogames Cosplay and conventions And space! You'll love this book if you enjoy pun-filled cocktail recipe books and cookbooks like Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist; Gone with the Gin: Cocktails with a Hollywood Twist; The Bob's Burgers Burger Book: Real Recipes for Joke Burgers; Heroes' Feast (Dungeons & Dragons); The Geeky Bartender Drinks; or The Geeky Chef Drinks.

Learn what you need to know about wine-in a single evening
Though more and more Americans enjoy wine each year, many still feel intimidated by the subject. The image of the wine snob - swirling glass in hand, taking luxurious sniffs, and spouting obscure factoids about the vintage - persists, making the rest of us feel lost in a seemingly elite world.
In fact, anyone and everyone can appreciate wine. The Learning Annex Presents the Pleasure of Wine is a straightforward guide that squeezes a seminar's worth of information into a book and answers questions such as:
* What are the different types of wine?
* What kinds of wine come from France, Italy, North America, Australia and New Zealand, South Africa, and South America?
* How do I taste wine, and how do I pair wine with food?
* What are some fun ways to integrate wine into my life?

Full of sidebars and other special features, The Learning Annex Presents the Pleasure of Wine gives you the tools and knowledge you need to select, judge, and enj oy wine - and all in a single night's reading

Grape wine has been produced for at least 4,000 years, having been aged, stored and transported in every conceivable type of vessel. Its seductiveness has been enhanced by this packaging: primarily three strikingly different containers - amphorae, wooden barrels and glass bottles. Henry H. Work brings extensive wine experience as a cooper, working with wine barrels and living in California's Napa Valley to provide a richly detailed and vivid account of wine containers through the ages. This book delves into the history, evolution, and present use of containers, vessels, and stoppers; from animal skin sacks to barrels, from glass bottles to upstart packaging such as wine casks, and even aluminium cans. It considers the advantages and weaknesses of their construction, designs and labels, methods of shipment and storage, as well as their impact on marketing wine to customers. This is an enlightening and innovative read which draws on the most current archaeological research, scientific data and wine business trends. It is richly peppered throughout with the author's own visits to many of the locations explored in the book, bringing history to life. This book will appeal to individuals within the wine industry, undergraduates in the fields of history, archaeology, food and hospitality, as well as all people interested in wine.

"Rich in history and admirable scholarship. . . . It's a fine grande champagne of a book, to be savored over and over."
-Patricia Wells, author of The Provence Cookbook
Called the "brandy of the gods" by Victor Hugo, Cognac is a universal symbol of refinement and quality. In the first comprehensive history of this celebrated drink, Kyle Jarrard charts Cognac's birth in the 1500s and its transformation into the world's most coveted brandy. Along the way, he reveals how Cognac distillers weathered vineyard die-offs, the German occupation, and other challenges over the years-and offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Hennessy, Remy-Martin, Courvoisier, Martell, and other legendary brands.
For any Cognac lover, this fascinating book will make the perfect gift.
Kyle Jarrard (Paris, France) is a senior editor at the International Herald Tribune and author of the highly acclaimed novels Over There and Rolling the Bones.

there is no greater pleasure than sharing a fine bottle of wine with friends. On the other hand, there's no greater disappointment than opening a bottle that has been lovingly hoarded and finding that the wine is past its prime. Was the storage of the wine at fault or was it simply a poor bottle Why had the level of the wine in the bottle dropped so dramatically and why did the cork fall apart upon extraction How should wine be selected and what storage conditions will provide the most suitable enviroment for them there is no-one better qualified to answer these questions than Australia's foremost wine expert and wine writer, James Halliday. In this completely updated new edition, he discusses the problems a bottle may encounter during its life and how to minimise them; how to choose white and red wines for cellaring; and the most efficient cellar racking systems. All this information is woven around Halliday's own irresistible tales venerable bottles and never-to-be-forgotten dinners. there is no greater pleasure than sharing a fine bottle of wine with friends. On the other hand, there's no greater disappointment than opening a bottle that has been lovingly hoarded and finding that the wine is past its prime. Was the storage of the wine at fault or was it simply a poor bottle? Why had the level of the wine in the bottle dropped so dramatically and why did the cork fall apart upon extraction? How should wine be selected and what storage conditions will provide the most suitable enviroment for them? there is no-one better qualified to answer these questions than Australia's foremost wine expert and wine writer, James Halliday. In this completely updated new edition, he discusses the problems a bottle may encounter during its life and how to minimise them; how to choose white and red wines for cellaring; and the most efficient cellar racking systems. All this information is woven around Halliday's own irresistible tales venerable bottles and never-to-be-forgotten dinners.

A richly illustrated account of the story of ancient viniculture The history of civilization is, in many ways, the history of wine. This book is the first comprehensive account of the earliest stages of the history and prehistory of viniculture, which extends back into the Neolithic period and beyond. Elegantly written and richly illustrated, Ancient Wine opens up whole new chapters in the fascinating story of wine by drawing on recent archaeological discoveries, molecular and DNA sleuthing, and the writings and art of ancient peoples. In a new afterword, the author discusses exciting recent developments in the understanding of ancient wine, including a new theory of how viniculture came to central and northern Europe.

A short course in wine appreciation that’s easy, practical, and fun

What’s the difference between a Chardonnay and a Sauvignon Blanc? Can you ever serve red wine with fish? In this fast, focused primer, wine experts Ian Blackburn and Allison Levine answer these and dozens of other basic wine questions, sharing their enthusiasm and giving people the know-how they need to stop worrying about wine and start enjoying it.

Ian Blackburn (Los Angeles, CA) has taught more than 10,000 people about wine through his courses and seminars. He is a consulting wine educator for Cordon Bleu California School of Culinary Arts and founder of the LearnAboutWine Web site.
Allison Levine (Los Angeles, CA) is the Director of Marketing, Public Relations, and Events for the LearnAboutWine Web site and also holds a position on the local board of the American Institute of Wine and Food.

'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: Warren Weber at Star Route Farm, the oldest certified organic farm in Marin County; Bob Cannard, who has supplied Chez Panisse with vegetables for decades; Sharon Grossi, the owner of the largest organic farm in Sonoma; and, Craig Stoll, the founder and executive chef at Delfina in San Francisco. Raskin also offers portraits of renowned historical figures, including Luther Burbank, Jack London, and M.F.K. Fisher. "Field Days" is a heartfelt celebration of the farm-to-table movement and its cultural reverberations.

The perfect gift for cocktail lovers and would-be mixologists is this set of four mini paperback books - Gin, Tequila, Rum andVodka - beautifully packaged together in a slipcase. From favourites like the Moscow Mule, Cosmopolitan and Margarita to exotic concoctions, such as the fruity Caribbean Cruise and Kahlua-based South of the Border, there are 200 recipes to try. Each book also contains essential bartending tips and fascinating anecdotes about the cocktails and how they got their names.