One Thousand Vines’ by Pascaline Lepeltier – a manifesto for the future of wine

There are books that change the way we think about wine. And then there are books like ‘One Thousand Vines: A New Way to Understand Wine’ by Pascaline Lepeltier, which make us look at the world of wine in a completely new way.

Pascaline Lepeltier, one of the world’s most respected sommeliers and a passionate advocate of biodynamic viticulture, has created a book that is both sophisticated and accessible. The original French edition of ‘Mille Vignes: Penser le vin de demain’ has already won many awards, and the English translation, brilliantly done by Malcolm Garrard, has seamlessly carried over this excellence.

A book like no other

This book is anything but a typical treatise on wine. It is an interdisciplinary masterpiece that weaves together philosophy, biology, anthropology, geology and chemistry. Lepeltier asks the big questions: What does it mean to make, drink and understand wine? Why do we often settle for simple answers and superficial concepts?

Instead of ‘demystifying’ wine, as many wine books do, Lepeltier embraces the mystery. She invites us to explore the myriad facets of wine by asking more questions than providing answers. This approach makes the book both challenging and fascinating – a work that blends science and intuition.

Three sections, endless insights

The book is divided into three main sections:

‘Reading Vines’: Lepeltier examines the vine as a plant, from its genetics to its relationship with the environment and the deep roots that connect it to the mycorrhizal network.

‘Reading Landscapes’: This section explores the interactions between climate, soil and human influence, while Lepeltier questions the construction of the term ‘terroir’.

‘Reading Wines’: The final section is dedicated to the taste, production and cultural aspects of wine – from the chemistry of flavour to the social codes that shape our understanding of wine.

Each section is written with such depth and detail that you feel like you are part of a journey of discovery.

Why this book is a must-read

Lepeltier manages to combine scientific complexity with philosophical reflection without coming across as preachy. Her approach challenges us to understand wine not only as a means of consumption, but also as a cultural and ecological phenomenon.

The book is also visually impressive. The illustrations by Loan Nguyen Thanh Lan are as aesthetic as they are informative and add an extra dimension to the work.

For anyone who is serious about wine – whether as a WSET Diploma and Master of Wine student, professional or passionate connoisseur – this book is indispensable. It not only offers in-depth knowledge, but also inspires us to rethink our approach to wine and nature.

Conclusion

‘One Thousand Vines’ is more than a book – it is a statement, an invitation and a wake-up call. It reminds us why we love wine and challenges us to live this love with responsibility and depth. For me, this book is a timeless companion that no wine library should be without. (ISBN 9781784729233, price approx. 45 euros), (second photo courtesy of Octopus Publishing Group)