The Cynic's Guide to Wine
By Sunny Hodge

Demystifies Wine with Real Science: Forget flowery language—this wine book gets straight to the facts. Learn how wine is really made, why it tastes the way it does, and what actually matters in your glassPerfect for Beginners and Wine Geeks: Clear, engaging content in bite-sized chunks. No experience required. Whether you're a total beginner, a wine professional or just skeptical of wine snobbery, this book is for youUnique Wine Gift Idea: Looking for thoughtful wine gifts? This fresh, modern guide is ideal for birthdays, holidays, or new wine drinkers who want to learn without the lectureCovers Wine Science & More: Explore the science of winemaking, flavour development, terroir, and sensory perception. Includes insights from botany, soil science, and oenologyWritten by an Industry Insider: Author Sunny Hodge is a disruptor in the wine world and owner of two award-winning London wine bars. He brings real expertise—without the condescensionWinner of the Drinks Writer Award at the Guild of Food Writers Awards 2026, and shortlisted in the Debut Drink Book category in the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Book Awards 2026The Cynic’s Guide to Wine: A No-Nonsense Wine Science Book for Beginners, the Wine-Curious, and Experts.Tired of wine books full of fluff and fancy language?The Cynic’s Guide to Wine by Sunny Hodge strips wine down to the facts—no snobbery, no jargon. Whether you're new to wine or want to gain a little more clarity, this is the essential guide to what really matters in your glass.Discover the Science Behind WineUnlike most wine books, this one dives into the real wine science behind how wine is made and why it tastes the way it does. Learn about:How soil, climate, and winemaking techniques affect flavourWhat “terroir” really means (and why some of it might not matter as much as you think)Where flavours come from in wineHow we neurologically perceive flavours and why?This book is for the wine lover who wants answers—not mythology.Bite-Sized, Easy-to-Read FormatPerfect for casual readers and busy people, the content is broken down into clear, digestible sections with helpful text boxes and illustrations. No wine degree needed!The Perfect Wine GiftLooking for wine gifts that are unique and useful? The Cynic’s Guide to Wine is ideal for:Wine beginners and casual drinkersMillennials and Gen Z wine fansScience lovers and scepticsWine professionals looking to develop their technical understandingA great gift for wine lovers, foodies, food geeks, or just because.