This is one of the best places to start. Karen MacNeil is a wonderful writer and a renowned educator in the field of wine. She has hosted numerous television shows and writes simply and with ease.

Hugh Johnson is at best a literary-wine writer. His prose is like a gorgeous glass of wine. He tells the store of wine not as an ongoing narrative but as a series of vignettes throughout time, from the ancient world to the modern day. This too is like a coffee table book but deeply rewarding in its ability to take you away.

This is the great mother of all wine books. A-Z, from abboccato to zymase, you can find just about everything in this book to answer your wine questions. For all lovers of wine, an excellent reference book.

John Radford is your best guide to the new world of modern Spanish wine. This book is not only lovely to read but lovely to look at and like The New Italy has wonderful photographs and information on the different wines, regions and cultures that make up the country. Undeniably essential.

This is one of my favourite books on Italian Wine. It is more detailed than The New Italy (less photographs but the black and white pictures remind me of the films of De Sica and Fellini and other Neo-Realist directors). It is an excellent reference guide but also a good read. There are recipes for local cuisines and a region-by-region exploration of the different wines. The best.

I still prefer Oz Clarke's Pocket Wine Guides to Hugh Johnson. Hugh excels when he can write poetic about wine. Clarke's book is easier to use, laid out with the beginner in mind. This is the book you should bring along when you go to the wine store.

Natalie MacLean is one of my favourite wine writers. She has her own website and rates wines. This book is a pleasure for beginners and advanced wine lovers alike. Her writing is fun to read and equally passionate. There should be more wine writers with her high spirits.

James Halliday is Mr. Australia in the world of wine. If you love Shiraz, this guide will guide to the best of Aussie reds and whites. An excellent reference work that lists the great wineries from Down Under.

Explore modern Bordeaux and learn about those pesky Garagistes that are undermining the world of the chateaux. Great writing, a great story.

What happened in France's vineyards during the Nazi occupation? Find out through this enthralling book that takes you from Alsace to Burgundy, Bordeaux and Champagne. The Kladstrup bring history to life - an exciting read, it will make you appreciate French wine even more knowing the stories behind these daring French wine producers.

Peter Richards is an expert when it comes to the wines of Chile. Easy to read and use, this is another great reference guide everyone wine lover should have.