Italian Wine The History, Regions, and Grapes of an Iconic Wine Country

An introduction to the wines of Italy by region and grape, telling the story of how the history of the country shaped Italian wines and how modern winemakers are looking to the past to revive the industry.

From award-winning sommelier Shelley Lindgren, who has long been recognized (and now knighted!) for her promotion of lesser-known Italian wines, and acclaimed cookbook author Kate Leahy comes a user-friendly and beautiful guide to Italian wines two decades in the making. The dynamic storytelling duo takes you through a beautifully photographed and delightfully comprehensive journey to understand what Italian wine looks like today: the makers shaping the industry, the innovative ways farmers are adapting to climate change, and the history that paved the path for this current movement.

Travel vicariously through all twenty regions with Leahy and Lindgren and expand your palate beyond Chianti, Pinot Grigio, and Lambrusco. Immerse yourself in the untold stories of how ancient winemaking techniques, the shifts of power and the movement of families, and the terrain and climate have influenced modern Italian winemaking. The curiosity and passion Lindgren and Leahy have is infectious and inviting, and you’ll leave with a buzz and a richer understanding of the country’s wines.

Let Italian Wine be your in-depth and fun guide into this endlessly fascinating, diverse world of wine.

Shelley Lindgren is the wine director and owner of San Francisco’s beloved Italian restaurant A16. She has received the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine Program and has been knighted by the Italian government, receiving the prestigious "Cavaliere dell'Ordine Della Stella Italia" (Dott.ssa) distinction for her professional dedication to Italian wine. Shelley’s work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Food & Wine, Punch, San Francisco Chronicle, and many other publications. She served on the board of La Cocina, the Guild of Sommeliers, and Slide Ranch and is a member of Les Dames d’ Escoffier. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, two sons, and a border collie.

Kate Leahy is an author and coauthor of more than a dozen books, including Wine Style, Lavash, La Buvette, and Burma Superstar. Her work has been featured in Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, and Smithsonian Magazine. A former line cook turned writer, she lives in San Francisco with her partner and their corgi.

Shelley and Kate’s first book, A16 Food + Wine, was IACP’s Cookbook of the Year. They are also coauthors of SPQR: Modern Italian Food and Wine. This is their third book together, a culmination of two decades of traveling to Italy and tasting Italian wines.