Vino Esencial: my first book, now on pre-sale

Today I have some news I've wanted to share with you for a long time: my first book is here. It's called Vino Esencial, its subtitle is «From the vineyard to the glass, with judgement», and from today you can reserve your copy, just in time for it to be your Christmas gift or someone special's.

Writing it has been a long and very rewarding job, and I'm especially excited to share it with you. It isn't just a book: it's everything I've learned and explained for years in restaurant dining rooms, at tastings and in classes, finally gathered in one place.

Why I wrote it

After so many years in the industry, one thing is very clear to me: people who want to learn about wine usually come across books that are so technical they're hard to follow, or others that stay on the surface. I missed an in-between book, clear and well organised, that explains why a wine tastes the way it does and can be a starting point for anyone.

I think Vino Esencial is the essential handbook for all wine lovers and for professionals who want a solid foundation.

I wrote it with that idea in mind. Whoever reads it, whether they enjoy wine at home or work with it every day, will end up with a good overall view of the world of wine: they'll know how grapes are grown, how each type of wine is made, how to taste with method and how the world's great regions work. And above all, they'll have the judgement to choose, serve and better enjoy what's in their glass.

What you'll find inside

The book follows wine in the same order in which it is made and enjoyed: first the vineyard, then the glass. It begins with a brief history of wine and continues with viticulture, where I explain how climate, soil and the grower's decisions come into play. Then we move on to how reds, whites and rosés are made, as well as sweet, sparkling and fortified wines.

Next you'll learn a systematic tasting method that lets you describe any wine with confidence, and you'll get to know the most important grape varieties and the styles of wine they produce. Then we travel through the great regions of Europe and the New World, with illustrated maps so you don't get lost, and we finish with everything you use day to day: reading a label, storing and serving wine and pairing it well.

Each chapter ends with a practical tasting, so that what you've learned goes from your head to the glass, and at the end you'll find a tasting sheet, a glossary, quick reference tables and the answers to the review questions.

Who it's for

It's a book for those who have enjoyed wine for years and finally want to understand it, and also for dining-room and hospitality teams who work with wine and need a solid foundation. No prior knowledge is needed: we start from scratch and move forward step by step, in friendly language and without unnecessary jargon.

The perfect gift for the holidays

With Christmas getting closer, the usual question arises: what gift has real personality? Vino Esencial is a perfect handbook to give. It's an elegant book, illustrated in watercolour, that delights from the very first moment and keeps being used long after the wrapping paper comes off. For those who enjoy wine, it's the gift that shows them why they like what they like. And for those just starting out, it's the best way in.

It's also a great idea for companies that want to give their clients or employees an original gift. Instead of the usual hamper, a useful, carefully made book that stays at home or in the office. If you'd like to give several copies, write to me and we'll prepare your order in good time.

If it's a gift, you can add a dedication in your own words: just mention it when you place your order. Delivery is expected at the end of November, so it will arrive before the holidays, and reserving now is the best way to make sure you get yours.

The book and the course

Vino Esencial is also the cornerstone of the Wine Academy's course of the same name, Vino Esencial: four live online classes with me, an in-person tasting and the book as the basis for everything we learn.

Reserve your copy on pre-sale

You can reserve your copy of the first edition now. Delivery is expected at the end of November.

Thank you for being there. I hope this book accompanies you through many glasses, and that it's the gift someone enjoys this Christmas.

Iván Monreal Somm. Culture, history and passion for wine.

Want to go one step further and learn with me, live? Discover the Vino Esencial course, with the book included, and take a look at the Wine Club tastings too.

See the Vino Esencial course

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