Godforsaken Grapes: A Slightly Tipsy Journey through the World of Strange, Obscure, and Underappreciated Wine
Overall Ranking 4) Totally Optional
What is the book about?
Jason Wilson's Godforsaken Grapes isn't your typical wine snob's guide to Bordeaux and Burgundy. Oh no, this is a journey to the wild side of wine, a boozy safari through the world of the weird, the wonderful, and the woefully underappreciated. Forget your Cabernet Sauvignons and Pinot Grigios; Wilson is on a mission to champion the underdog grapes, the forgotten varieties, the quirky bottles that get overlooked on wine lists. He's the Indiana Jones of wine, venturing into obscure regions, chatting with passionate producers, and unearthing vinous treasures that most of us have never even heard of. Think of it as a grape-fueled adventure, a celebration of the unconventional and a reminder that there's a whole world of deliciousness beyond the usual suspects.
This isn't just a dry textbook on obscure grapes, though. Wilson's writing is witty, engaging, and often laugh-out-loud funny. He's not afraid to poke fun at the pretentiousness that often surrounds the wine world, and he approaches his subject with a contagious enthusiasm. He's like that friend who's always dragging you to the coolest dive bars and introducing you to the most amazing music you've never heard. Godforsaken Grapes is a celebration of the passion and dedication of the winemakers who are keeping these obscure varieties alive, a tribute to the unique terroirs that shape their character, and a call to action for wine lovers to step outside their comfort zones and embrace the wonderfully weird world of wine. It's a book that will make you thirsty, curious, and maybe even a little bit tipsy.
If you're gun hoe to try all of the 101 godforsaken grapes there is an appendix which gives a small description of each wine, the regions they come from, and which producers to purchase a bottle from.
Key Takeaways
There's a World of Wine Beyond the Usual Suspects: The book introduces us to a vast array of obscure and underappreciated grape varieties, expanding our understanding of what wine can be.
Wine Doesn't Have to Be Snobby: Wilson's writing style is down-to-earth and humorous, demystifying the world of wine and making it very approachable for those who may not understand wine or don't regularly drink it.
Passionate Winemakers Are Keeping Obscure Varieties Alive: The book highlights the dedication and hard work of winemakers who are committed to preserving these unique grapes, often against the odds.
Terroir Plays a Crucial Role: Wilson emphasizes the importance of terroir – the combination of soil, climate, and other environmental factors – in shaping the character of wine. Its why the same type of grape can make different wine flavors depending on where it is grown.
Wine is Connected to Culture and History: Wilson often weaves in stories about the history and cultural significance of the grapes and regions he explores, adding depth to our understanding of wine.
Don't Be Afraid to Experiment: The book encourages a sense of adventure and experimentation with wine, reminding us that the most important thing is to find what they enjoy.
Would I recommend reading it?
I'm a wine newbie, barely past the "box wine is fine" stage, so diving into Godforsaken Grapes felt a little like showing up to a sommelier convention in flip-flops. I haven't even conquered the "noble grapes" yet Рyou know, Chardonnay, Merlot, the usual suspects. So, reading about obscure varieties felt a tad like learning Klingon before mastering English. However, since wine, as the clich̩ goes, is a journey, this is where I am, and hey, maybe someday I'll be fluent in Trollinger.
That being said, this book is interesting, but definitely aspirational. I can't exactly hop on a plane to Switzerland or Portugal to sip local wines straight from the source. It sounds divine, the kind of Instagram-worthy experience I dream of, but back here in reality, it feels a bit…distant. Most chapters follow a similar pattern: 1) Wilson goes somewhere cool, 2) meets some fascinating people, 3) drinks a wine that blows his mind in some unexpected way. The structure is consistent, but his writing is anything but. He's a pro, weaving vivid descriptions that make you practically taste the wine, even if you've never heard of it (which, let's be honest, you probably haven't). I do wish he explored more of his time teaching university courses on wine. It was one of the best chapters in my mind.
What I really appreciate about Wilson is his self-awareness. He's not afraid to question his own wine-snob tendencies, which is refreshing. "Was all of this just a privileged exercise in geekiness and arcane trivia?" he wonders. "I’d started to worry I was falling down the same rabbit hole as those hipper-than-thou wine snobs who sneer at people who order chardonnay.” He even compares extreme wine geekdom to performance art, asking if the pursuit of ever-more-obscure wines is just a quest for novelty. "I occasionally worry that the pursuit of even more obscure and lesser-known wines is sort of like Dada," he muses. "What’s cool and enigmatic one day — trollinger from Germany or encruzado from Portugal or malagousia from Greece — could very well become boring tomorrow.” And he gets to the heart of it: isn't wine supposed to be fun? "But has this quest into pleasure led toward some enlightenment or happiness, or has it simply succeeded in making me a miserable person? I occasionally worry about these sorts of things. I am well aware how ridiculous or pathetic that may sound, the ultimate First World Problem.”
While some chapters feel a bit tacked on (looking at you, Port!), and the travelogue bits can get a little long-winded, I enjoyed this book. I learned a ton and finished it feeling enthusiastic about the wild world of wine. The ideal way to read this? On a beach in Portugal, with a chilled glass of local Encruzado in hand. Sadly, I'm not on a Portuguese beach right now. And Godforsaken Grapes is a bit of a niche read. Because it focuses on obscure wines that many readers may never encounter, it's not essential reading for the casual wine drinker. If you're just starting your wine journey or you're perfectly happy sticking to your usual favorites, you can probably skip this one. However, if you're a serious wine enthusiast looking to expand your knowledge and explore new flavors, this book is an excellent resource. It's a deep dive into the world of underappreciated grapes, and while it might not be relevant to every wine drinker, it's a valuable and entertaining read for those who are passionate about discovering new vinous horizons. It's a fantastic resource but be prepared for some serious wine envy.
As I said above, but I will say it again, if you're gun hoe to try all of the 101 godforsaken grapes there is an appendix which gives a small description of each wine, the regions they come from, and which producers to purchase a bottle from.
Books to Bowls OUT!
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