Wine for Beginners! Understand the Essence of Wine via its Origins with "A World Map of Wine: Traveling Through 15 Countries and Regions"

No need to memorize grape varieties or vintages! A new book, "A World Map of Wine: Traveling Through 15 Countries and Regions" (authored by Aya Mizukami), which deciphers the world's 15 representative wine-producing regions through their geography, history, politics, economy, and culture to fully savor their charm, will be released today, July 8, by Diamond Inc.

"A World Map of Wine: Traveling Through 15 Countries and Regions" (Diamond Inc.) by Aya Mizukami

A Sophisticated Intellectual Guide to Wine, Revealing a Vast World Beyond the Glass!

Many people are interested in wine but feel overwhelmed by the vast number of varieties, specialized terminology, and long history, unsure where to begin. They might say, "I drink wine occasionally but always choose it somewhat randomly," "Restaurant wine lists look like spells," or "I want to be able to talk about wine elegantly." For those who feel this frustration, "A World Map of Wine: Traveling Through 15 Countries and Regions" tells the profound stories of wine-producing regions in an engaging way, allowing readers to understand the essence of wine simply by reading it.

France, which positioned wine as a key to foreign currency acquisition and diplomacy, has built its brand as a nation. Britain, precisely because it lacks vast vineyards of its own, has cultivated an eye for selecting fine wines from around the world. China, which has transformed its desertifying inland areas into renowned wine regions through national initiatives. By learning about the backgrounds and stories of the producers in each region, you will naturally understand "why this particular taste was born" without having to memorize complex technical terms.

At the end of each chapter, recommended wines are listed that "represent the essence of the country and can be purchased for under 10,000 yen, making them accessible to the general public." You can casually enjoy a bottle representing a region that caught your interest in the comfort of your own home. Furthermore, the book is packed with perspectives from politics, economics, and business, such as the wine economics brought about by the US Trump tariffs and the thorough marketing strategies of Champagne, France, naturally equipping readers with sophisticated intellectual knowledge.

The author, Aya Mizukami, is a wine expert who holds the "Level 4 Diploma," the most advanced qualification from WSET, the world's largest wine education institution. She is also an official columnist for "Forbes JAPAN" and has garnered a large following for her approach of dissecting wine from multiple perspectives and her easy-to-understand explanations aimed at beginners.

This book is a new introduction to wine, a concentrated distillation of knowledge from over 100 reference books the author possesses and insights and anecdotes gained from visiting more than 15 wine-producing regions.

Table of Contents

Apéritif: Introduction

Prologue: The Current State of Wine

1. United States

2. France

3. Italy

4. Spain

5. Portugal

6. United Kingdom

7. Germany, Alsace, Austria

8. Australia

9. New Zealand

10. South America: Chile, Argentina

11. South Africa

12. Greece

13. Georgia

14. Silk Road

15. Japan

Digestif: Conclusion

Author Profile: Aya Mizukami (Mizukami Aya)

Wine Journalist / Columnist

Born in 1986, raised in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture. After graduating from the Faculty of Science at Ochanomizu University, she transitioned to the wine industry after working for a major telecommunications company. She holds the "Level 4 Diploma," a highly difficult qualification from the world's largest wine education institution, WSET, with few holders in Japan.

As an official columnist for "Forbes JAPAN," she analyzes wine from business and cultural perspectives while actively visiting domestic and international regions to craft detailed narratives. She cherishes everything from everyday wines available at supermarkets to special occasion bottles, and is known for her beginner-friendly explanations. She also practices a lifestyle that incorporates tea ceremony and kimono, sharing her unique enjoyment of wine that intersects with Japanese aesthetics. Her hobby is Argentine Tango.

"A World Map of Wine: Traveling Through 15 Countries and Regions"

Author: Aya Mizukami

Price: 1,980 yen (tax included) Format: A5, Paperback, 320 pages

Release Date: July 8, 2026 Publisher: Diamond Inc.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4478124205

*Images and photos in this release may only be used for reporting related to this book.