Noble Nine

The revelatory story of our best-loved wines made from the nine 'noble' grapes - from a plant biologist specialising in the history and science of wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay. Chenin Blanc. Merlot. Pinot Noir. Riesling. Sauvignon Blanc. Sémillon. Shiraz. Through these bestselling wines made from the renowned and ubiquitous nine 'noble' grapes, expert wine biologist Dr Andrew Wood tells the story and science of the wines we love to drink. From the rescue in the 19th century of European vineyards from pestilence by the grafts of American vines and the discovery of Sauternes made from rotting grapes by 18th century French peasants, to the use of climate data to optimise harvests and experiments in terroir to affect taste - along with stories of individual vineyards, tasting notes for each grape and original analysis of wine prices - Noble Nine delves into fascinating botanical history and cutting edge science to explore why wine tastes the way it does, and how biology, weather and human shape it. Hugely informative and entertaining, Noble Nine opens a unique window onto wine: its qualities, its heritage, and its future, from vine to glass and every stage in between.