Thirsty: 100 Great Wines and Stories

by Tom Gilbey

'My favourite wine w*nker' Jack Whitehall
'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: Wine, Cooking

269 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 6, 2025

Reviews

[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.

[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!

[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

[Jamie 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