Thirsty: 100 Great Wines and Stories

by Tom Gilbey

'My favourite wine w*nker' Jack Whitehall
'Finally, a wine book that's as moreish as my Malbec' Alan Carr
'An enormously entertaining read' Spectator
'A full-bodied book that’s really got legs' Mail on Sunday

‘I like to talk about wine the way normal humans talk about things they love – it’s not about showing off how many fancy wine terms I know. The point is to share something I love with someone else in a way that makes them want to love it too.’

Thirsty is the story of Tom Gilbey (The Wine Guy) and his life in wine, a celebration of the bleedin’ beautiful people who make it, and a history of his family’s love affair with winemaking – and let’s be honest, drinking – since the 1800s.

Learn how
- read a label (even if you can’t speak the language)
- talk wine without sounding naff
- choose wine in a restaurant
- explain why some wine smells like your granny’s cardigan

Along the way you’ll discover 100 Wine W*nker approved bottles: wines for friendships and long lunches, for autumn afternoons and winter evenings. Whether yours is a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Kylie Minogue’s rosé or – God forbid – orange wine, Tom will help you find the good stuff, always.

Let Tom show you how this gloriously gluggable elixir is, at its heart, made to bring pleasure, and that there is no right or wrong to enjoy just go for it.

‘Entertaining and engaging’ Helen McGinn of @knackeredmother

Genres: Nonfiction, Wine

269 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 6, 2025

Reviews

[Marianne Pritchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gift from the babe of wines 🍷. I was intimidated at first as I know nothing about wines other than how to open and drink. BUT THIS IS A DELIGHT so interesting ,the descriptions are wonderful and it really has fuelled by passion to go on my own winey little odyssey. This is an easy read and any one remotely interested in imbibing wines would enjoy.

[Griffin Youngstrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was witty, charming and super approachable. I loved every second of this book. Can't quite give it a 5 but I'd recommend this book to any wine loving person of every level.

This made me go out of my small range of red wine interests and buy a bottle of Pouilly Fuisse Chardonnay- (that was impossible to write) I ended up enjoying it! White Wine Fucks!

[Max Deacon-Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

As thoroughly entertaining as you'd hope from Tom Gilbey with some great tales. I loved it, although it does make me want to find my own terroir and move to France...

[Michael Rollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun book. You can hear Tom's voice as your read it, as, just with his opinion on wine, it throws all pretention out the window. It's fun, interesting and easy to read. It's the Pinot Noir of books. I was particularly glad that it wasn't just his life story but also has genuine information about wine, such that even the most casual of wine fan can take away some real wine know-how.

[Ruben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterpiece.

[Lucy Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5! I started following Tom from a suggested post on Instagram. He's clearly incredibly knowledgeable about wine, but his social media is very accessible and he tries both expensive and basement wines and rates them all the same way.

I wasn't expecting this to be as autobiographical as it was, but it absolutely doesn't detract. I was fascinated by his upbringing around food and wine and none of the stories felt throwaway or flippant. There was reason for all of the inclusions.

I loved that he's clearly a dedicated family man and his love for them shone through. He's also the same with his friends and those in the wine industry he's met along the way.

I absolutely made a small "to try" list from the recommended wines (lol, not small at all) and definitely want to learn more about the wine I drink instead of just "that's nice" and throwing it back 😂

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered him on instagram, watched his videos on youtube and ended up listening to his audiobook which he narrates himself.
If you are expecting his instagram / youtube personality, you might be a bit disappointed in the beginning. It is what it says on the tin, an autobiography and a book about wine.
I liked his anecdotes and his wine facts. I think the book works best, if you already know a few things about wine. You don't learn a whole lot about wine, but that's not the mission statement of the book.
I still have to find out if his recommendations are any good, because I have only tasted very few of the wines he mentions, but I got a few ideas for wines I want to try.
One big drawback of the audiobook, at least for me, it's very hard to unterstand and write down the more complicated french wines he mentions correctly, so I can research and maybe taste them myself.

[Andrew Munro]

Not what I was initially expecting, this book is mostly some (quite entertaining) stories about the author's life in the wine trade, along with some extra information about how and where wine is made, and tips for not looking like complete berk when tasting it or ordering in a restaurant.

I particularly enjoyed the chapter about making a run from London to Spain and back to fulfil an order, as well as stories about visiting Oxford colleges and the Chinese delegation at the swanky and secret dining room at Hyde Park Corner.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pick up the Pinot. And chuck it in the mouth hole. Thirsty? I was after reading about the escapades of wine-o Tom Gilby. Funny and full of good wine recommendations.

This is not a wine book, this is an autobiography that is about the love of wine. This is not stuffy, boring and not a brag, though the stories are a bit, look what happened to me, wasn't it fun. But there is no great bragging. I find Tom Gilby quite humble in is current fame and even in writing a book, he knows everything is bollocks and is just a fun time to be had in life.

If you want to see how someone can just love wine, then check this out.

[Kerry Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an entertaining and educational book. I loved following Tom's journey through life and wine. I've taken notes and hope to be able to try some of his recommendations. Really good fun and I'd recommend this book to anyone!

[Malcolm Balster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read, from which I learned some new things and had some of my own knowledge confirmed.
I will dip into it again and again as I go looking for inspiration for what to buy in our local independent wine shops.

[Josh Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining book into the life of Tom and some of his many stories revolving around wine, as you’d expect from Tom it’s entertaining whilst blending in insight and knowledge about all things wine!

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - got it for Xmas, enjoy the YouTube clips, learnt some stuff about wine and a few funny stories but in the end, I guess, as with most things it seems you get what you pay for and taste is a pretty personal thing. I like him!

[Basti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK! As a guy in his mid twenties who has no clue about wine, this book was very relatable and jumpstarted a fascination about wine. The stories are hilarious, empathic and the descriptiveness of the book is amazing. 10/10 great book!

[Nicholas Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating, education gentertaining

Enjoyed this audiobook and hard copy companion. Toms YouTube videos led me here. I must learn more. Thanks Tom. More books please

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

He says the point of the book is share something he loves with others in a way that makes them want to love it too. Mission accomplished!

[Charlotte Crowther · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read, learnt a lot, and expanded my “to be tried” list. Now, where’s the nearest bottle!

[Colin Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely don’t love wine as much as this guy

[Jai Sleep · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great fun. Super informative whilst being grounded enough to engage. I like how it was more about him and his wine journey than about wine itself. A great read

[Bert Glaedvine · Rating 4 out of 5]

So pleased to have picked up this book. Tom has tempted me into wine and I love his style and unpretentiousness. You can hear his style and delivery in the writing. A short and interesting read.

[Addie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun, but still educational read! Every page is written in exactly the Wine Wanker's voice and it was a treat to follow along with his lifelong love affair with wine.

[Fraser T · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely drop.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, interesting, easy to read, really makes you want a glass of wine

[Owen Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love watching Tom's videos and this book didn't disappoint. Full of great information, brilliant stories and just a really fun book. Also, I'll be trying to get my hands on some of the wines listed at the end of each chapter.