Best Champagne Books of 2026

The World Atlas of Wine 8th Edition is a classic and authoritative reference work on wine, recognized by critics as the most useful single volume ever published. This latest edition has been updated to reflect the changes in the global wine scene over the past six years, with 22 new maps added and the text given a complete overhaul. With beautiful photography throughout, this book is a must-have for any wine lover, from students to professionals. The World Atlas of Wine belongs on the shelf of every true wine lover's library, providing a multi-layered snapshot of wine and how it has evolved.

Wine Simple by Aldo Sohm is an essential guide for anyone who wants to learn more about wine. Sohm, a world-renowned sommelier, makes wine approachable and fun with his confidence-building infographics and illustrations, easy-to-absorb hits of information, and pragmatic tips. This book covers the fundamentals of wine, key varietals and winemaking regions, how to taste, when to save and when to splurge, and even how to set up a wine tasting at home. Sohm also teaches readers how to evolve their palate and troubleshoot tricky wines. Overall, Wine Simple is a lively, educational, and user-friendly approach to wine that will inspire readers to taste smarter and drink boldly.

The Wine Bible, 3rd Edition is an essential book for anyone who wants to deepen their knowledge of wine. With over 800,000 copies in print, Karen McNeil's book is America's bestselling wine book. The new edition is completely revised, updated, and now in full-color with over 400 new photographs. The book covers new chapters on Great Britain, Croatia, Israel, and a new section called In the Beginning...Wine in the Ancient World. The expanded grape glossary includes 400-plus varieties, and the Mastering Wine Section incorporates the latest science on taste and smell. This book is a masterpiece of wine writing, and a must-read for curious wine-lovers of every level of expertise.

The Champagne [Boxed Book & Map Set] by Peter Liem is an essential guide for anyone interested in the modern wines of Champagne. The book provides extensive profiles of growers and vintners, along with a fascinating history of the region. The luxurious box set also includes a complete set of seven vintage vineyard maps, a rare and indispensable resource that beautifully documents the region’s terroirs. The book won several awards, including the 2018 James Beard Foundation Cookbook Award, and is sure to become an essential reference for Champagne lovers and all wine enthusiasts.

Bubbly: A Collection of Champagne and Sparkling Cocktails is a must-have for cocktail enthusiasts and home bartenders. With over 60 recipes, author and photographer Colleen Jeffers shares her expertise on making delicious and effortless champagne cocktails. From classics like French 75 to modern brunch favorites like Bubbly Mary, this book offers something for everyone. The book also includes tips on buying the right bottle of bubbly, keeping carbonation crisp, and making simple syrup without a stove. With its plush gold foil cover and gorgeous photography, Bubbly is both approachable and inventive. It's a perfect addition to any cocktail lover's collection.

The Widow Clicquot is a captivating biography that tells the story of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, the woman behind the iconic yellow label of Veuve Clicquot champagne. After her husband's death, Barbe-Nicole defied convention by taking over the fledgling wine business they had nurtured together, becoming one of the world's first great businesswomen and one of the richest women of her time. Tilar J. Mazzeo's narrative history is a fascinating journey through the process of making this temperamental wine, as well as a compelling biography of a uniquely tempered woman. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in culinary biographies and memoirs, offering a glimpse into the life of a visionary who built a champagne empire and showed the world how to live with style.

The Sommelier's Atlas of Taste is a comprehensive guide for wine enthusiasts who want to improve their tasting skills and understand the intricacies of the world's greatest wine regions. Rajat Parr and Jordan Mackay share everything they've learned in their decades of tasting wine, making this the most in-depth study of wine regions ever published. The book describes the differences between wines from various subregions, soils, and appellations, making it an essential reference for aspiring sommeliers, wine aficionados, and amateur enthusiasts. This thought-provoking book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand and describe wine in a modern way.

The Compleat Meadmaker by Ken Schramm is a comprehensive guide to making mead at home. With simple recipes and easy-to-follow procedures, even novice brewers can quickly make their own mead. The book covers various aspects of meadmaking, from basic equipment to fermentation, bottling, and beyond. Schramm also introduces flavorful variations on the basic theme that lead to meads flavored with spice, fruits, grapes, and malt. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in making mead, whether a novice or an experienced brewer. It is a unique guide that offers a comprehensive and easy-to-read approach to meadmaking.

Wine Food: New Adventures in Drinking and Cooking is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn about wine effortlessly. The book provides a comprehensive guide to pairing wines with delicious recipes. Dana Frank and Andrea Slonecker have done a brilliant job of distilling the basics of wine tasting, buying, and storing, making it easy for readers to understand. The book also features wine flavor cheat sheets, label lexicon lessons, and illustrated features on matching wine with different types of foods. Overall, Wine Food is flavorful, fun, and easy to read, making it a unique addition to any wine pairing book collection.

The Negroni: A Love Affair with a Classic Cocktail is a tribute to one of the most versatile drinks in the world, the Negroni. The author, Matt Hranek, shares his love for the drink and provides a curated collection of recipes, including classic variations and reinterpretations. The book has received high praise for its informative and opinionated writing style, making it one of the best books devoted to a single cocktail. The Negroni is a must-read for cocktail lovers and those looking to explore the world of mixed drinks.