📖 Overview
The Science of Wine examines wine production and appreciation through a scientific lens. The book covers viticulture, winemaking processes, and the chemical compounds that create wine's characteristics.
Jamie Goode breaks down complex topics like terroir, fermentation, and aging into clear explanations backed by research. The text incorporates graphs, diagrams, and scientific data while remaining accessible to non-scientists.
Topics include vine biology, soil composition, climate effects, oak barrel influences, cork versus alternative closures, and wine faults. The book also explores wine tasting from both sensory and neurological perspectives.
This work bridges the gap between traditional winemaking knowledge and modern scientific understanding. It demonstrates how advances in technology and research methods continue to shape the wine industry and enhance wine quality.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe this as a technical but accessible guide that balances scientific detail with practical winemaking information. Wine professionals and serious enthusiasts appreciate the depth of research and clear explanations of complex topics like vine physiology and fermentation chemistry.
Likes:
- Clear diagrams and illustrations that explain scientific concepts
- Updated research and modern winemaking techniques
- Thorough coverage of wine faults and flaws
- Balance of academic and practical information
Dislikes:
- Some sections can be overly technical for casual readers
- Price point is high for a paperback
- A few readers note outdated statistics in older editions
- Limited coverage of specific wine regions
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.24/5 (89 ratings)
Amazon: 4.6/5 (68 ratings)
Sample review: "Perfect blend of science and practical winemaking. The illustrations alone make it worth the purchase. Best technical wine book I've read." - Amazon reviewer
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Terroir and Other Myths of Winegrowing by Mark Matthews The book examines scientific evidence behind popular wine growing beliefs and challenges conventional wisdom through research data and experimental results.
Wine Grapes by Jancis Robinson This reference work provides DNA-based research and historical documentation on 1,368 vine varieties and their relationships to each other.
What Makes a Wine Worth Drinking by Terry Theise The work connects scientific understanding of wine production with practical aspects of viticulture and winemaking through analysis of soil chemistry, fermentation processes, and aging methods.
Understanding Wine Technology by David Bird The text explains wine production processes and chemistry through clear technical details without requiring prior scientific knowledge.
Terroir and Other Myths of Winegrowing by Mark Matthews The book examines scientific evidence behind popular wine growing beliefs and challenges conventional wisdom through research data and experimental results.
Wine Grapes by Jancis Robinson This reference work provides DNA-based research and historical documentation on 1,368 vine varieties and their relationships to each other.
What Makes a Wine Worth Drinking by Terry Theise The work connects scientific understanding of wine production with practical aspects of viticulture and winemaking through analysis of soil chemistry, fermentation processes, and aging methods.
🤔 Interesting facts
🍷 Author Jamie Goode holds a Ph.D. in plant biology and worked as a scientific editor before becoming one of the world's most respected wine writers
🍇 The book explores cutting-edge winemaking technologies, including micro-oxygenation and reverse osmosis, which were controversial topics when the book was first published in 2005
🔬 The second edition (2014) includes new research on wine flavor chemistry and the role of microorganisms in spontaneous fermentation
🌡️ The text explains how climate change is already affecting wine regions worldwide, forcing vineyards to adapt their growing practices and even consider relocating to cooler areas
📚 This book is used as a reference text in many professional wine education programs, including courses for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) certification