Read all about it: Wine from Another Galaxy and Inside Bordeaux

First there was the magazine, then the wine bar, followed by a restaurant and now the book. Noble Rot started out as a an expensive, beautifully produced, well written fanzine for lovers of great wine and food. The brainchild of Dan Keeling, former chief executive of Island Records and wine buyer and Master of Wine Mark Andrew, it featured writing from an eclectic mix of foodies, including Nigella Lawson, Fergus Henderson, Yotam Ottolenghi, Brian Eno, Francis Ford Coppola and Keira Knightley.

It was followed by the Noble Rot wine bar in Lamb’s Conduit Street in Bloomsbury, which became a mecca for wine lovers with its range of excellent wines by the glass and seemingly simple, wholesome, high-quality Franglais food. More recently the pair revamped famous Soho restaurant The Gay Hussar to glowing reviews. And now the book.

Wine from Another Galaxy (Quadrille €35.99)

This is a joyous disorderly romp through the sometimes stuffy world of wine. There are articles on the usual topics: grape varieties, making wine, matching food and wine, wine faults, serving wine and ordering wine in restaurants, but written in a very different style. There is a history of Noble Rot, even a few recipes, and there is great photography. But most of the book is taken up with a trip around Europe visiting various regions and talking to their favourite cutting-edge producers. They move seamlessly from the great Château d’Yquem in Bordeaux, to the emerging (or re-emerging) Suertes del Marqués in Tenerife. A great Christmas present for the wine lover in your life.

[ pembrokewines.ie ]

Wine Lovers would also be delighted to find a copy of Inside Bordeaux inside their stocking this Christmas. This massive tome is a comprehensive guide to the region. As well as an overview of each region, and more than 800 châteaux, there is an assessment of every vintage from 1855 to the present, some excellent maps, chapters on terroirs, organic viticulture and ancient grape varieties. Written by Jane Anson, one of the leading authorities on Bordeaux, this is an essential reference book for the claret drinker.