
Continuing The Philosophy of... series from British Library Publishing, this witty history of wine – its cultivation and enjoyment – sheds light on the rich traditions of wine from around the world. An apt gift for oenophiles everywhere, it includes chapters on the development of wine production – from casks to bottles and from feet to presses – as well as tracing the global shift of wine production from traditional wine-producing regions to emerging wine exporters.
With a selective focus on unexpected facts and lesser-known characters connected with wine, from the Greek god of wine, to the monks who created Champagne and the first wine smugglers, this gift edition explores the historical influences that have shaped our drinking taste. It even comments on the effect of global warming, and where the story of wine might be going next…
Ruth Ball is the award-nominated author of Rebellious Spirits and, most recently, Rough Spirits and High Society (British Library, 2017). She is the founder of Alchemist Dreams, a company dedicated to handmade liqueurs that are blended to order.
International availability - Europe and the United States.
We have resumed some European and US shipping in line with new EU GPSR regulations and recent changes to US tariffs. British Library Publications, including our subscriptions, are now available for order for customers across Europe and the United States.
We will continue rolling out our most popular products to these regions in stages. If you are browsing from Europe or the US, you can now see the products that are available for you to order.
We’re working hard to expand the offering, so the selection you see online will continue to grow as products are cleared for shipping.
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Our deliveries are now carbon neutral.
Timescale | ||
UK Standard* | £5.00 | 3 - 5 working days |
Please allow 7 working days from the time you place your order to contact us about undelivered orders.
*does not include custom prints or custom clothing.
Local pick up
Local pick up is free and allows you to buy online and collect your items from our shop in St. Pancras (London) or from Reception in Boston Spa.
London
Orders placed before 3pm will be ready to collect from noon the following day (including weekends). Please ensure you check our opening times before coming to collect.
Boston Spa
Orders placed before 3pm will be ready to collect between 2 - 4 working days, though this is usually quicker.
EU and Europe orders
Due to the new EU Regulation 2023/988 (GPSR), not all of our products will be available for you to order yet, we are working on rolling out a wider product range.
Order value | Under £25 | £25 - £50 | £50 - £100* | Over £100* | Timescale |
Airmail | £ 15 | £ 25 | £ 36 | £ 45 | Usually 2 - 4 weeks |
Rest of the World orders
Order value | Under £25 | £25 - £50 | £50 - £100* | Over £100* | Timescale |
Airmail | £ 20 | £ 30 | £ 40 | £ 50 | Usually 2 - 4 weeks |
International orders are shipped on a Delivered at Place (DAP) basis. Import duties and taxes are payable by the customer upon delivery. Orders returned due to non-payment of duties will be refunded for the product cost only, less any shipping fees incurred.
For more detailed information click here