“Académie du Vin Library is kind of a cultural miner, prospecting for worthy-but-forgotten wine books to republish interspersed with occasional new works.” Eric Asimov, The New York Times We’re delighted that the UK’s Académie du Vin Library has appointed Ex Vinum as its exclusive partner in Australia. We’ll be diving deeper into their excellent portfolio over the coming year, but we start today with a power-trio of books we felt would immediately appeal to our clients. In a nutshell, Académie du Vin is a boutique publishing house dedicated to issuing the finest wine writing of the past, present and future. It was established in 2018 by wine industry legend Steven Spurrier and wine-focussed publisher Simon McMurtrie, and takes its name from Spurrier’s famous Paris wine school of the 1970s. In anyone’s list of greatest living wine writers, we would put good money on Andrew Jefford sitting at its summit. Across 10 chapters, Drinking With the Valkyries brings together a fabulous collection of Jefford essays, old and new. It’s a siren call to the majesty of the wine experience from a writer who communicates with poetry in his voice. Buy the book and it might be the most valuable $50 you’ll spend this year! In the words of Jancis Robinson’s prolific (end enviably talented) book reviewer, Tamlyn Currin, On Champagne “fizzes with wonderful stuff”. Coving the gamut of Champagne matters past and present, it’s a “tapestry of tales” penned by the Grand Cru of Champagne minds, including Peter Liem, Tyson Stelzer, Robert Walters, Essi Avellan MW and Andrew Jefford. In short, it’s an essential volume for any Champagne student’s bookshelf. Finally, another compendium: On California. At first thought, a book on US wine culture may not look like a nailed-on geographical fit for Bibendum, but appearances can be deceiving! Next month we’re launching our new US portfolio, with eight California and Oregon producers (and you are all invited to the tasting)! Picking up numerous accolades since its publication and compiled from a wealth of perspectives, the book offers a deep dive into how Californian wine culture has arrived at its current lofty state. If you have an eye on California, this is an essential read. Even if you don’t, this is a volume to inspire new adventures.