8 Wine Fiction Books That Make The Ultimate Drinking Companions

I was never much of a bookworm. That was until I discovered the wonderful world of wine fiction books. Throw in a little bit of romance, action or adventure alongside a bubble bath and glass of wine, and there’s nothing I would much rather do with my relaxation time these days.
There are actually quite a few great wine novels out there and as my collection of wine fiction books has grown substantially in the last few years, I wanted to share some of my favourites with you today.
So sit back, grab a glass of wine and here are the best wine fiction books in my opinion:
Please note some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means at no cost to you, I may receive a small amount of commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Corkscrew by Peter Stafford-Bow
Wine Match: It has to be Asti Spumante
Where to buy it: Approximately $20-$30 from Amazon, Audible, Booktopia, Dymocks
I was actually sent the third book in this series as a media sample and after reading it and loving it, my husband bought me Corkscrew and Brut Force for a present.
The three books follow the wonderfully loveable ladies-man and passionate British wine buyer, Felix Hart. This first book in the series starts from the beginning and how he found and fell in love with the world of wine. He works in the wine retail world in the UK however, there’s a bit of wine travel through the vineyards of Italy, South Africa and Bulgaria.
If you think wine novels will probably be bland. This is anything but, there’s thrilling mafia interactions, people smuggling and the biggest Asti Spumante deal in the world. It has plenty of laugh-out-loud humour, blind tasting and sexual activity. You won’t want to put it down and you’ll be so glad that there are two more books following Felix’s delicious adventures.
Brut Force by Peter Stafford-Bow
Wine Match: Definitely a Pinot Noir
Where to buy it: $16-$20 from Amazon, Audible, Booktopia, Dymocks
Brut Force is the second book following professional wine buyer, Felix Hart’s delicious antics in the British wine trade. Felix has sass however his easy-going wine-loving life is flipped upside down again in this sequel to Corkscrew. It is full of assassins, murderers, blackmailers and more.
In Brut Force Felix makes a wine in his own backyard essentially, he is blackmailed to corrupt an important blind tasting and he even digs up a couple of bodies.
I loved it and fell more in love with Felix in this book – although he really does attract trouble!
Firing Blancs by Peter Stafford-Bow
Wine Match: Opt for a South African wine
Where to buy it: $18-$33 from Amazon, Booktopia
The third book in the Felix Hart wine novels, Firing Blancs is predominately set in South Africa.
Felix is now the Head of Wine at Gatesave Supermarket and their biggest South African wine supplier is being accused of unfair work conditions on their vineyards.
It’s scandalous, entertaining and full of some unusual food and wine matches.
Eastern Promise by Peter Stafford-Bow
Wine Match: DRC or if that’s not an option (in our dreams right!) then a Central Otago Pinot Noir
Where to buy it: Approximately $21 from Amazon
Every time a Felix Hart wine novel comes out, I get excited. Eastern Promise is the fourth book in the series and let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint!
It involves renowned iconic wines, a billionaire wine fraudster and international intrigue. A great read for any wine lover!
Grand Crew by Tom Crago
Wine Match: Tscharke 2020 Girl Talk Savagnin or your best Aussie wine
Buy it from: $27-$35 from Amazon, Booktopia, Mighty Ape
I was kindly sent a pre-release copy of Tom Crago’s new book – Grand Crew to read and I loved it! It’s the first Australian wine novel I have come across and I couldn’t put it down. Being familiar with most of the wines mentioned in the book and some of the places too, it not only entertained me but made me very very thirsty.
In fact, I would have loved to have a taste of every wine mentioned in this book. It made me darn thirsty.
The book is based in Melbourne but also takes you to Paris and Italy. You get a behind the scene’s look into the restaurant and hospitality worlds, there is plenty of good booze included such as a magnum of 1978 DRC, Moss Wood Cabernet and plenty of delicious Australian wines.
It really is a ‘love letter to Australian wine’ as the book promises. You’re wine bucket list will get exponentially longer after reading this book!
Jupiter’s Blood by Steven Laine
Wine Match: I feel like you need to go with something a bit futuristic / forward-thinking for this one, something pushing boundaries. Maybe wine in a can or a test tube?
Buy it from: Amazon from $6.59
My thoughts: I was kindly sent this “wine thriller” to read and I loved it!
It is that perfect blend of action/mystery, romance and wine. The kind of book you want to sit down in a comfy chair with and have a big glass of red wine in hand.
Having two toddlers around doesn’t make it easy to get through a book these days, however on my recent work trip I had a good 4 hour flight to finish this beauty off.
It takes you from America to Europe and involves things like synthetic made wines and vertical vineyards.
A bit futuristic but also quite real and believable with the way the world is going with AI and such right now.
I would highly recommend this wine novel, I loved it.
Dragonvine by Steven Laine
Wine Match: An alternative grape variety – open something you haven’t tried before
Buy it from: $6-$40 from Amazon, Booktopia
A big thank you to author Steven Laine for sending me this new release of his book Dragonvine!
This wine-inspired novel is set in California’s Napa Valley and is an action thriller involving local gangs and counterfeit wines. It has ties to an ancient Chinese grape variety and the First Emperor of China. So you learn a bit of history at the same time.
A few of my favourite quotes:
“Perhaps people, like grape varieties, could grow and thrive anywhere in the world.”
“I don’t know if this wine will make me live forever, but it certainly makes me want to live forever.”
It had me on the edge of my wine glass and it’s safe to say if we ever get a dog I am pretty sure I’ll be calling him/her Syrah too!
Plus I was super happy to get to the end of this book and find the first chapter of Steven Laine’s next wine thriller titled Jupiter’s Blood!
Root Cause by Steven Laine
Wine Match: Champagne
Buy it from: $16-64 from Amazon
Can you imagine a world without wine? I know… how dear I even write those words. It’s scary to think about. If you find it as terrifying as me, then you’ll be on the edge of your seat reading this wine novel – Root Cause by Steven Laine.
I received a sample of this book all the way from the USA and I loved it. Thank you Turner Publishing!
There are two main characters in Root Cause. Firstly there is Corvina (yes that’s the name of a grape too!) a flying winemaker. And secondly, Bryan Lawless, a wine industry professional who is in the throes of obtaining his Master of Wine accreditation.
Phylloxera has made a comeback and threatens the entire world’s wine production. Corvina and Bryan team up to investigate how the aphid is spreading, who is responsible and finding an antitoxin. Corvina and Bryan take you through many wine regions around the world from Italy to Chile, Canada, South Africa, Portugal and France to name a few.
The question is, can these two, get to the root cause and save the world’s wine industry from ruin??
You can read my full review of Root Cause here.
Bound by Vines by G.R. McWhorter
Wine match: The recommended wine matches from the author include those wines popular in the Temecula Valley – light & fruity Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, White Blends and Rosé
Where to buy it: Amazon
Could you run a winery with a sibling (that you don’t really see eye to eye with at the best of times) unexpectedly after losing your parents in an unexpected car crash?
That’s exactly what sisters Rose (a high flying lawyer) and Lea (a wild child university student) must do. Not to mention the family winery is on the verge of bankruptcy and closing down.
There’s tragedy and loss but there is also hope and love in this epic new wine novel by author @grmcwhorter – who ever so kindly sent me a paperback copy of his book – Bound by Vines to read.
I have never read a book so quickly! Mr Spittoon can attest to that as it usually takes me months, I’m a slow reader. But I ended up finishing this juicy wine fiction book in about a week.
It’s only 272 pages which makes it so easy to consume. I love the strong female led plot and I have to admit a few tears were shed along the way but also a good amount of laughs and naturally a few glasses of wine too.
It has also now put California’s Temecula Valley on the map for me – and I have added it to my wine travel bucket list.
If you love a good fiction book with a wine angle to it, then you must check this one out.
If you have read a great fiction wine novel yourself that I haven’t mentioned above, please leave a comment below so I can check it out. TYIA!