Wine Simple

A warm, personal guide from one of the world’s most acclaimed sommeliers. Aldo Sohm is the wine director at Le Bernardin in New York and was named Best Sommelier in the World in 2008, yet he wrote this book specifically to make wine less intimidating for everyday drinkers.

Why This One

Where Wine Folly teaches through visuals and infographics, “Wine Simple” teaches through stories and practical wisdom from someone who has spent decades helping people find wines they love. Sohm’s approach is refreshingly humble for someone with his credentials. He repeatedly insists that the most important thing about wine is whether you enjoy drinking it.

The book is organized around practical situations: choosing wine at a restaurant, shopping at a wine store, hosting a dinner party. Sohm gives you specific strategies for each scenario, including how to talk to a sommelier, how to read a wine list, and how to taste wine without overthinking it. This is the kind of real-world advice you cannot get from a reference guide.

Sohm also includes lists of recommended bottles at various price points, which gives you concrete starting places rather than abstract knowledge. His co-author Christine Muhlke, a food and wine journalist, helps keep the writing sharp and engaging throughout.

What to Expect

A conversational, story-driven guide at 272 pages. Less visual than Wine Folly, more personal and narrative. Expect practical advice for real wine situations, recommended bottles to try, and a sommelier’s perspective on what actually matters when choosing and enjoying wine. Particularly strong for readers who want confidence at restaurants and wine shops.