Explore proven Wine Pairing Books recommended by experts Evan Goldstein, Vanessa Price, and Karen Page to enhance your pairing skills with best-selling guides
There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love, especially when it comes to the art of wine pairing. Wine pairing remains a popular and rewarding pursuit for many, offering a way to deepen appreciation for food and drink. These best-selling books have helped countless enthusiasts navigate the complex world of flavors, providing proven advice that enhances every meal.
Experts like Evan Goldstein, a Master Sommelier with decades of culinary experience, and Vanessa Price, a certified wine educator and sommelier, bring invaluable perspectives to the field. Their recommendations have helped popularize approachable and practical guides, making wine pairing accessible and enjoyable for novices and connoisseurs alike.
While these popular books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific Wine Pairing needs might consider creating a personalized Wine Pairing book that combines these validated approaches into a custom guide just for you.
Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg are award-winning culinary authors whose work has reshaped how people think about pairing food and drinks. Their proven track record includes multiple prestigious awards like the 2007 IACP Cookbook of the Year. With backgrounds from Northwestern, Harvard Business School, and mentorship under chef Madeleine Kamman, they bring a uniquely informed perspective. This book was born from their dedication to demystifying beverage pairing, drawing on America’s finest sommeliers to help you elevate every meal with the right drink.
by Karen Page, Andrew Dornenburg, Michael Sofronski··You?
About the Author
Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg are award-winning authors recognized for their contributions to culinary literature. They have written several influential books, including 'What to Drink with What You Eat,' which won the 2007 IACP Cookbook of the Year Award. Their works have been celebrated for demystifying food and beverage pairing, drawing on insights from top sommeliers and chefs. Page is a graduate of Northwestern and Harvard Business School, while Dornenburg studied under renowned chef Madeleine Kamman. Together, they have significantly impacted the culinary world through their extensive research and expertise.
Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg’s extensive experience in culinary literature led them to craft a thorough guide that goes beyond traditional wine pairing. This book explores pairing not just wine but also beer, spirits, coffee, tea, and even water with food, drawing on advice from America’s top sommeliers. You’ll find specific pairing principles explained alongside colorful photographs and insights into balancing flavors across various beverages and dishes. Whether you’re a home cook or an aspiring sommelier, this book equips you to make more informed and confident pairing choices that enhance every meal experience.
2007 IACP Cookbook of the Year Award
2006 Georges Duboeuf Wine Book of the Year Award
2006 Gourmand World Cookbook Award for Matching Food and Wine
Evan Goldstein, a four-time James Beard Award nominee and the youngest American Master Sommelier at his time, brings over twenty years of experience teaching wine and food pairing to this book. Alongside celebrated chef Joyce Goldstein, he offers clear insights into pairing diverse wines with meals, drawing from his work in renowned kitchens worldwide. Their combined expertise makes this book a trusted guide for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of wine's role in dining.
Evan Goldstein, a four time James Beard Award nominee for “Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year,” has worked in the kitchens of the Restaurant Le Saintongeais and the Hotel Lancaster in Paris, Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley, and Chez Panisse Café in Berkeley, California. In 1987 he became the eighth American and youngest ever at the time to pass the prestigious Master Sommelier examination. He is the author of Five Star Service: Your Guide to Hospitality Excellence and has over twenty years experience teaching both professionals and consumers about wine and food. Joyce Goldstein was the chef and owner of the acclaimed Square One Restaurant in San Francisco. She is the author of numerous cookbooks, including The Mediterranean Kitchen, Back to Square One, Kitchen Conversations, and Italian Slow and Savory.
What happens when a Master Sommelier with decades in top kitchens tackles the art of pairing wine and food? Evan Goldstein’s experience, combined with chef Joyce Goldstein’s culinary expertise, guides you through an evolving global wine landscape, from classic French varietals to emerging regions like South Africa and New Zealand. You’ll learn how to distinguish nuances within grape varietals—like earthy versus buttery Chardonnay—and match them to dishes that elevate both. The book’s 58 recipes offer hands-on opportunities to explore pairings, making it ideal for both home cooks eager to impress and professionals refining their palate.
This custom AI book on wine pairing mastery is created based on your unique palate, background, and goals. By sharing your specific preferences and challenges, you receive a guide crafted to explore pairing techniques that truly resonate with your taste. The book blends reader-validated knowledge with your personal interests to help you develop confident, enjoyable pairing choices. Personalized content makes your learning efficient and directly relevant, unlike generic guides.
TailoredRead AI creates personalized nonfiction books that adapt to your unique background, goals, and interests. Instead of reading generic content, you get a custom book written specifically for your profession, experience level, and learning objectives. Whether you're a beginner looking for fundamentals or an expert seeking advanced insights, TailoredRead crafts a book that speaks directly to you. Learn more.
This tailored wine pairing book explores the art and science of matching wines with food, focusing on your unique palate and preferences. It examines proven methods widely valued by the wine community, while tailoring content to your background and specific interests. By combining established knowledge with your personal taste preferences, the book reveals how to create harmonious pairings that enhance both wine and cuisine. This personalized guide delves into flavor profiles, wine varieties, and regional characteristics, helping you refine your pairing intuition and deepen your appreciation of wine's role in dining experiences. The approach ensures you engage with content that matches your goals and elevates your wine enjoyment journey.
This book stands out by combining Italy’s rich culinary traditions with its distinctive wines, guiding you through pairing recipes with the perfect glass to elevate your meals. Brian St. Pierre’s approach, blending detailed regional knowledge with accessible guidance and stunning photographs, makes it clear why many have embraced this book. Whether you’re seeking to deepen your wine appreciation or expand your Italian cooking repertoire, it offers practical insights and beautiful inspiration to enhance both your kitchen and table experience.
This book invites you to explore Italy’s diverse regional wines alongside authentic recipes that bring out their best pairings. Brian St. Pierre, known for his work on wine appreciation, here crafts combinations like Piedmont’s barolo matched with pan-roasted veal tenderloin and Adriatic pinot grigio alongside seafood risotto, revealing precise flavor interplay. The inclusion of a wine glossary and vivid photos enhances your understanding and enjoyment, making it approachable whether you’re a casual cook or an enthusiastic oenophile. You’ll learn not just which wines go with which dishes, but why these pairings work, enriching both your culinary skills and your wine knowledge.
Janet Fletcher is a renowned food writer with over twenty years dedicated to cheese and wine expertise. Her deep knowledge and clear writing have earned her respect in the culinary community. In this book, she shares her passion for cheese pairings, guiding you through a global selection of cheeses paired thoughtfully with wines, enriching your appreciation and enjoyment of these classic combinations.
Janet Fletcher is a renowned food writer and author, known for her expertise in cheese and wine. With a career spanning over two decades, she has written numerous books and articles on culinary topics, particularly focusing on cheese pairings. Her work has been recognized for its depth and clarity, making her a trusted voice in the food community.
Janet Fletcher's decades of expertise in cheese and wine shine through in this detailed guide that invites you to explore 70 distinctive cheeses alongside complementary wines. You learn how textures and flavors interact, with chapters that take you from the pungent delights of Rogue River Blue to the subtle aromatic hints in Corsican Brind'Amour. Fletcher doesn’t just list pairings but offers context and serving suggestions that deepen your appreciation of these culinary combinations. If you enjoy fine food or want to elevate your entertaining skills, this book offers a flavorful journey without overwhelming complexity.
Edwin Soon’s "Pairing Wine with Asian Food" offers a focused exploration into matching wines with the rich and varied flavors of Asian dishes. This guide stands out for addressing the unique challenges posed by ingredients like spices and seafood, and it covers major Asian cuisines to help you confidently select wines that complement everything from dim sum to curries. Its straightforward approach benefits anyone looking to enhance their enjoyment of Asian dining by understanding which wine choices work best, making it a valuable addition to wine pairing literature.
2009·64 pages·Wine Pairing, Asian Cuisine, Food Pairing, Oenology, Seafood
When Edwin Soon first realized how challenging it is to pair wine with the complex flavors of Asian cuisine, he set out to demystify this often-overlooked niche. Drawing on his expertise as an oenologist, he examines key ingredients common in Asian kitchens and identifies which wine combinations clash or complement dishes like dim sum, curries, and seafood. You’ll learn practical distinctions across major Asian cuisines, including Chinese banquets and Thai street food, to confidently select wines that enhance your dining experience. This concise guide suits anyone eager to bridge the gap between diverse Asian flavors and wine without the jargon or guesswork.
This AI-created book on wine pairing is tailored to your taste preferences and learning goals. By sharing your experience level and specific interests, you receive a custom guide that focuses on pairing wines with foods you enjoy. Personalization matters here because wine pairing is as much about your palate as the wines themselves. This book is created just for you, making the journey to better pairings both practical and enjoyable.
TailoredRead AI creates personalized nonfiction books that adapt to your unique background, goals, and interests. Instead of reading generic content, you get a custom book written specifically for your profession, experience level, and learning objectives. Whether you're a beginner looking for fundamentals or an expert seeking advanced insights, TailoredRead crafts a book that speaks directly to you. Learn more.
This tailored book explores the art of wine pairing through a personalized lens, focusing on your individual tastes and culinary preferences. It examines classic pairing principles alongside reader-validated approaches, blending traditional knowledge with your specific goals to create a unique and engaging learning journey. By addressing your background and interests, this book reveals practical ways to combine wines and dishes effectively, helping you build confidence in pairing within just 30 days. The approach is tailored to match your palate and lifestyle, ensuring the experience remains relevant and enjoyable. Dive into a wine pairing adventure that’s crafted just for you, making complex combinations approachable and fun.
Winston Steve's The Spanish Table offers a unique approach to wine pairing by intertwining traditional Iberian recipes with the specific cookware that defines this regional cuisine. The book's appeal lies in its cultural depth and practical guidance on using specialty pans like paella pans and cataplanas, paired expertly with Iberian wines and sherries. It's designed for home cooks who want to bring the flavors of Spain and Portugal into their kitchens while enhancing their hosting with thoughtful wine pairings. This blend of culinary history, recipe instruction, and wine expertise addresses a niche that enriches the wine pairing category by connecting food and drink through authentic regional traditions.
Winston Steve's deep passion for Iberian culture shines through in this blend of culinary tradition and wine expertise. He invites you to explore Spain and Portugal through the unique cookware that defines their regional dishes, like paella pans and cataplanas, while pairing them thoughtfully with local wines and sherries. You'll gain practical knowledge on how to use these specialty utensils, understand the history behind the recipes, and discover pairing ideas that elevate your hosting game. If you enjoy authentic cooking adventures with a side of wine education, this book offers a flavorful journey tailored for home cooks eager to master Iberian flavors.
Listed in San Francisco Bay Guardian's "1001 Cookbooks You Must Spatter Before You Die"
Vanessa Price brings a rare combination of deep expertise and approachable charm to wine pairing. A certified Diploma of Wine and Spirits holder, sommelier, and wine educator for New York magazine, Vanessa’s diverse career—from Kentucky wineries to Manhattan’s Upper East Side—shapes her unique perspective. Her mission to demystify wine led to this book, where she translates complex pairing science into accessible advice for everyday foods. Vanessa’s background as founder of The Vinum Collective and instructor at The Wine & Spirit Education Trust® ensures you’re learning from a passionate insider who truly understands wine’s many layers.
Vanessa Price is a sommelier, restaurateur, wine educator, and writer for New York magazine, as well as the founder and creative director of the Vinum Collective. Born and raised in Kentucky, Vanessa first caught the wine bug working in a small winery down south. She followed her passion for wine and moved to New York City in 2007, starting as a sommelier on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. From there she moved on to wine education, PR and events for wine-focused client services, consulting for private wine collectors and wine lists in NYC restaurants, and as a distributor and importer, working with some of the most renowned restaurants and wineries in the world today. Through this years-long diverse education of the wine world, Vanessa decided to dedicate herself to being both a student and teacher of wine. Today she is the Creative Director and Founder of The Vinum Collective (vinumco.com). She is also a wine writer for New York Magazine, a Diploma graduate and an instructor for The Wine & Spirit Education Trust®. Her book Big Macs & Burgundy, a spin off of her column, will be released with Abrams Publishing in fall 2020. Vanessa is currently a managing partner in a summer restaurant pop-up in Montauk with Michelin Chef Matt Lambert called Sweet Az. She is also developing a high end restaurant concept set to open in Montauk Spring 2021. Her mission is to help translate the complexities of wine to wine lovers the world over. Vanessa’s experience working in the wine industry is vast. She teaches (a very popular) wine class at Columbia University. She is a certified Level 4 Diploma of Wine and Spirits carrier. Most of all she has a passion for grape juice and all the people who make it, sell it, and live it. She also graduated from The American Musical & Dramatic Academy in NYC.
Vanessa Price challenges the conventional wisdom that wine pairing must involve expensive, gourmet dishes by showing how everyday foods—from Cheez-Its to McDonald's fare—can have their perfect wine matches. Drawing on her extensive background as a sommelier and wine educator, she breaks down the science behind pairings using relatable examples, such as the unexpected harmony of Sancerre and Cheetos. You’ll gain practical insights into balancing acidity, fat, and salt, and learn how to approach wine lists with confidence, even on a shoestring budget. This book suits anyone eager to enjoy wine without pretension, especially those curious about pairing wine with casual or comfort foods.
Named One of the Best Books of the Year by Food & Wine, Saveur, and Town & Country
Jill Silverman Hough is a seasoned food writer and recipe developer whose work appears in Bon Appetit and Cooking Light, among others. She crafted the recipes for the New York Times bestseller Skinny Bitch in the Kitch and teaches culinary classes around Napa and Sonoma. This background gives her a solid foundation to offer you 100 approachable small plates designed to complement a wide range of wines, making your entertaining both stylish and accessible.
Jill Silverman Hough is a food writer and recipe developer whose work has appeared in Bon Appetit, Cooking Light, Fine Cooking, Clean Eating, and U.S. Airways' Attache, among other publications. She also developed the recipes for the New York Times bestseller Skinny Bitch in the Kitch. Jill lives in Napa, California, and regularly teaches at Ramekins Culinary School in Sonoma and other locations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
2010·192 pages·Wine Pairing, Appetizers, Small Plates, Recipe Development, Food Pairing
Jill Silverman Hough brings her extensive experience as a food writer and recipe developer to this approachable guide that rethinks wine pairings beyond the usual cheese and crackers. You’ll discover 100 small-plate recipes organized by wine varietals, offering fresh ideas like Peppercorn-Crusted Tuna alongside classic pairings such as Chardonnay and Merlot. The book’s clear organization and accessible ingredients let you confidently match appetizers with wines, enhancing your gatherings without fuss. If you want to expand your hosting repertoire with flavorful, sophisticated bites tailored to wines you love, this book offers straightforward inspiration without overwhelming jargon.
Get expert-approved wine pairing strategies tailored to your tastes and goals without generic advice.
Expert-backed guidance
•Tailored pairing plans
•Confident wine choices
Trusted by wine lovers and experts worldwide
Wine Pairing Mastery
30-Day Pairing System
Foundations of Pairing
Pairing Success Blueprint
Conclusion
Together, these eight books reveal common themes: the importance of understanding flavor balance, the joy of exploring regional cuisines through wine, and practical strategies that make pairing approachable for everyone. Whether you're drawn to classic wine-food pairings, exploring Italian or Iberian culinary traditions, or seeking everyday wine matches, there's a trusted guide here for you.
If you prefer proven methods grounded in expert knowledge, start with Evan Goldstein’s Perfect Pairings or Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg’s What to Drink with What You Eat. For validated approaches that blend culture and flavor, combine The Spanish Table with The Wine Lover Cooks Italian. For those seeking approachable, casual pairings, Vanessa Price’s Big Macs & Burgundy offers fresh perspectives.
Alternatively, you can create a personalized Wine Pairing book to combine proven methods with your unique needs. These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed in elevating their wine and food experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?
Start with Perfect Pairings by Evan Goldstein. Its clear guidance on classic wine and food matches provides a solid foundation that's accessible for beginners and insightful for seasoned enthusiasts.
Are these books too advanced for someone new to Wine Pairing?
Not at all. Books like What to Drink with What You Eat and Big Macs & Burgundy offer approachable advice that welcomes beginners while still engaging experienced readers.
Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?
You can certainly pick one that matches your interests. For example, if you love Italian cuisine, The Wine Lover Cooks Italian is a great focused choice. Combine books for broader insights if you want.
Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?
Perfect Pairings balances theory and practical recipes, while 100 Perfect Pairings leans more toward hands-on small plate recipes paired with wines for immediate use.
Are any of these books outdated given how fast Wine Pairing changes?
Wine pairing principles evolve slowly, and these books remain relevant by focusing on timeless flavor balances and pairing fundamentals that still hold true today.
How can I get tailored wine pairing advice that fits my unique tastes and goals?
While these expert books offer strong foundations, personalized guides can complement them by focusing on your specific preferences and experience. Consider creating a personalized Wine Pairing book to blend proven methods with your own needs.
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