Crushed: How a Changing Climate Is Altering the Way We Drink

by Brian Freedman

"For oenophiles and anyone interested in ways climate change is affecting what’s on the table, this is a must-read." Publishers Weekly

Take a tour of wine and spirit production around the world and how climate change is affecting it at every stage – from cultivation to consumption.

Climate change is altering the very nature of wine and spirit production around the world. From the unimaginably destructive fires that rip through California’s wine country with terrifying frequency to the floods and hail storms that threaten grape and grain harvests from Bordeaux to Kentucky and beyond, no one involved in the world of beverage production is immune. Thankfully, it’s not all doom and The rising temperatures brought on by climate change have allowed southern English wine producers to gain a foothold in the world of sparkling Their best bubblies are finally gaining the kind of respect that producers have dreamed about for decades. CRUSHED takes readers on a tour of the world of wines and spirits, and tells the stories of the visionary growers and producers in eight key regions that are being affected by a climate whose shifts have been far more sudden and dramatic than they ever could have predicted.

CRUSHED is written for everyone who enjoys a nice glass of wine or a great dram of whiskey, and who has ever wondered how it got from its literal roots to the glass they’re holding in their hand. It’s for anyone who is interested in the ways in which our dramatically shifting natural environment is affecting the beverages we’ve all taken for granted.

Over the course of eight gripping chapters, each one focusing on a different part of the wine and spirits world, readers are taken into the lives of the people responsible for some of the most delicious drinks in the world in fascinating, revealing, and riveting ways. Plenty of books have been written about the effects of climate change on our food system, yet none has so vividly given readers the opportunity to understand how their beloved wines and spirits are being affected. Until now.

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 11, 2022

Reviews

[Matthew Ulmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating and insightful journey around the world to see how climate change impacts something we may not often think about. Those who work in the alcohol industry, it turns out, are at the forefront of the battle against changing climates, and it’s riveting to learn their stories of how they cope and change and innovate to continue supporting their businesses and their families, and ultimately change the world’s approach to climate in the process.

Far from a somber tale of global woe, this book shows you how differences can and are being made, as well as how in some instances “climate weirding” is creating new opportunities. It’s interesting, insightful, and often very funny. 

In other words, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding read and I highly recommend it. ESPECIALLY if you enjoy an occasional glass of wine or whiskey (I gained an all new appreciation for my favorite beverages and how they’re made — it was almost like a charming wine industry textbook as well).

[Jamie Hare · Rating 3 out of 5]

The topic is very interesting and I learned so much about wine agriculture and climate change, but the writing was subpar. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3

[Kere · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly interesting topic, writing was difficult to follow at times

[Kere · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such great information, but writing was hard to follow

[Steven Beningo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent book looking at the worldwide impacts of climate change on alcohol producers.

[Kelsea Purdy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but super dry read.