How to Sound Wine Smart: An Illustrated Guide

by Maryse Chevriere

Learn how to talk like a pro when tasting wine with this fun, and funny, illustrated guide by James Beard Award–winning writer and wine professional Maryse Chevriere.

Have you ever been stumped in a restaurant, when the sommelier asks if you like a super lean Chablis or a grippy Nebbiolo? Or reading the descriptions in a wine store, hoping to figure out what a hint of red fruit and smoke on the finish of that bottle really means?

That’s where this book will save you.

How to Sound Wine Smart is a one-of-a-kind visual glossary, written and playfully illustrated by certified sommelier and James Beard Award–winning writer Maryse Chevriere. It breaks down the complicated, often ridiculous-sounding language into its component parts. You’ll learn terms to describe what’s going on in a glass of wine, from its first impressions, aroma, flavor, acidity, texture and mouthfeel, condition, personality, to its faults and flaws—including sentences to impress people in real life. Even in a wine store!

And that’s not all. Throughout the book are informative sections that explore crucial aspects of the world of wine like unfiltered vs. filtered, old world vs. new world, and more. There’s also a guide to glassware. Cheat sheets for tackling wine pairings, too. To put your knowledge to the test, Maryse has designed drinking games that will have you smelling and tasting wines side-by-side to understand the quality of dry and sweet German Rieslings. Or the flavor differences between chardonnays that were aged in stainless steel or new oak. She makes this topic less intimidating, more accessible, and, always, enjoyable.

Whether you’re a longtime wine lover or a curious beginner, How to Sound Wine Smart is a necessary (and fun, and funny) reference. No other book provides a deep dive on the lexicon of wine lingo. Learn what to say, and how to say it. Learn how to sound wine smart. And savor every sip along the way.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

Published July 14, 2026

Reviews

[Milly]

Cute ! Down to earth ! Makes me want to run out and buy a bottle of wine ! Mostly vocab words and doodles.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

So you have no idea what people are talking about when they discuss wine? This is the book for you. This is a fairly exhaustive list of what you're looking for when you are looking at a wine menu, or want to discuss a taste, and you know, sound wine smart. Contains information from what types of wine glasses are available and for what purpose, to breaking down terms like sweet or nose, and what are you talking about "lanolin," that's sheep. This handbook/guide dives into all of that, without being overwhelming, or feeling like there's going to be an exam later. Answers all of your questions, what does "sweet" mean? Why is some wine white, and some red?

I didn't know that I would be totally interested in the whole book, but I did want to know what some of my friends were talking about when they seem to dissect their glass of wine. Don't get me wrong, I like certain kinds of wine, but I don't need to break it down into as great a detail to enjoy it. Now, not only do I know what they're talking about (I'm still not participating), but I know why I only like certain kinds of wines and not others. Further, I also have an idea of other types of wine I might like should I encounter them. Very interested, for anyone who wants to know more details about what's in the glass, would even make a great coffee table book.

I received an advanced reader copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

This book is not a wine 101 book - it's more like a wine 201 book, after you've had some time to try a bunch of wines (and maybe establish which wines you like/don't like). This book is the wine vocab resource you didn't know you needed, for a bunch of wine words you might not know existed!

I grew up in a house where trying and discussing wines was pretty normal, but knowing that not everyone comes from that background, this is a helpful book for anyone who is trying to step up their wine tasting game. Wine tasting is inherently social, and this book does a wonderful job equipping readers with new vocabulary to connect with other wine enthusiasts. The illustrations are also delightful, and make the terms easier to remember.

Additionally, I appreciate how much the author tries to make wine fun for the reader. She goes so far as to provide educational games/exercises so that readers can taste the notes she's talking about for different wines.

This book would be a great gift for a new wine enthusiast (and would pair well with a bottle or two of wine!). I can see this also being a handy reference for entertainers, especially if you're looking for a fun wine-based party activity.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this arc. These opinions are my own.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Simon Element/ S&S for providing me with an advanced copy of Maryse Chevriere’s book in exchange for an honest review. How to Sound Wine Smart is exactly what it promises to be: a witty, approachable, and genuinely enjoyable guide to the world of wine. It doesn’t feel intimidating but instead very approachable.
The author is a trained sommelier and brings both expertise and humor to the page, breaking down wine concepts in a way that feels friendly, modern, and refreshingly down to earth. She explains things clearly which makes this a great choice for anyone who enjoys wine but doesn’t want to feel like they’re studying for an exam.
One of the highlights of this book is the doodles and illustrations, which pair perfectly with the information. They add charm, visual interest, and make the content feel even more accessible and easy to digest. The layout makes it a book you can either read straight through or flip through and enjoy in short bursts.
Overall, this is a great pick for wine-curious readers, casual enthusiasts, or anyone who wants to feel more confident ordering or talking about wine without taking it all too seriously.
A smart, charming, and very readable guide to wine.The cheat sheets at the back of the book are also very helpful!

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to both #NetGalley and Simon Element/S&S for providing me an advance copy of Maryse Chevriere's illustrated #guide, How to Sound Wine Smart, in exchange for an honest review.

#HowtoSoundWineSmart is a whimsical, pocket reference guide on navigating wine terminology, complete with quirky illustrations. Do not let the doodles fool you, however, because the author is a certified sommelier and James Beard award winning writer who is adept at elucidating often complex wine concepts and simplifying them for beginners. Think of this book as a crash course lesson on how to describe wine 101, if you will.

Chockful of helpful hints, humorous analogies, and modern advice, sans the snobbery. The author was even gracious enough to include cheat sheets at the end, making it the perfect read for those en route to their first wine tasting or vineyard, and perhaps, even before frequenting a local wine bar.

P.S. To the author, love the opening intro quote re: wine nerds!

[Pattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Sound Wine Smart is your key to understanding the concepts and terms that are used to talk about wine. The author, Maryse Chevriere, illustrates the terms using visual puns that are charming and could even act as mnemonic devices for recalling all the wine vocabulary that's not necessarily obvious. I am often in the presence of folks with far more wine knowledge than I have and I do think that this book will serve me well, if not discussing wine with them, then just understanding what the heck they are saying.

I highly recommend this book for wine novices, but also for folks that might find Ms. Chevriere's drawings as funny as I did. Thanks much to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster S&S Element for providing me with this advanced reading copy. It was truly as entertaining as it was educational!

[Penelope Bloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank god – a book that gets it. I have been personally victimized by a wine nerd. I like wine and I dislike pretension – which may be why my understanding of wine has been stagnant for years. This book keeps it real and is a masterclass in teaching, including the fundamental truth that those who have truly, truly mastered content can break it down simply, and clearly, and with a sense of humor. I would say this is a must for anyone interested in wine and should jump to the top of your list of “books about wine,” because it really is that useful and does such a nice job of making a traditionally gatekept topic accessible for those who have neither the time nor means nor alcohol tolerance to train to be a sommelier.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.
First, let me say I'm not a wine guy; however, I've always thought it'd be hip to be wine hip (if you know what I mean).
Second, even if you are not wine savvy, this is the book for you. Cute illustrations combined with concise definitions of all wine descriptors to fill several bottles.
This is highly recommended for the beginner as well as the advanced wine snob. Illustrations and concise definitions line every page and are sure to capture each grape along the way.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was a great dive into wines! I love thinking about the flavors of my food (whether espresso, wine, etc) so it was interesting to learn more about wine in a fun light-hearted way! The illustrations were great and the descriptions were very helpful. I also loved the cheat sheets in the back and the activities- I definitely want to try more of the activities!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun and informative book.
If you would like to learn more about wine this os a great start. The art in this book is playful, but will help you remember the term you are trying to recall. I also love it gives you suggestions on which wines to try to determine the distinctions.

This will be a great coffee table book/ conversation starter or gift.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Simon Element, and Maryse Chevriere for the opportunity to experience this wonderful book.

[Brittney E’Lise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to review this book. This is basically a more humorous take on a Wine 101 book. Most of the focus is more on wine terms that may be unfamiliar to the un-initiated. Chapters like “Take Me to Flavortown” and “The Nose Knows” really break down not only the taste of a wine but what terms are also used when smelling said wine. The author even gives background information about the history of some wines like Champagne. Perfect book for that wine lover in your life

[Elisa Sacchetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this book title should be changed to How To Sound Like A Snob lol. I felt like this book was not the kind of book you want to do as an audiobook, but nevertheless, I did learn some very helpful facts about wine!