Opening a Bottle Italy: Stories from the Heart of Italian Wine and 100 Wines to Admire Hardcover – September 2, 2025

From acclaimed wine writer and photojournalist Kevin Day comes a heartfelt ode to Italian wine. Opening a Bottle: Italy chronicles 24 groundbreaking wineries that are redefining our understanding of Italian terroir and craft. From Sicily's ash-spewing Mount Etna to the steep, improbable terraces of Valtellina high in the Alps of Lombardy, this visually rich journey takes readers deeper into the world's most complex and layered wine nation. With his natural storytelling ability and evocative photography, Day reveals how the distinctiveness of Italian wine is not in the prestige of a label, but in the people behind it. As climate change puts pressure on winemakers, they are increasingly taking cues from their ancestors, whether that means adopting polyculture, supporting biodiversity in and around the vineyards, or embracing the physical toil required by the best vineyard sites. In the process, they are redefining fine wine as we know it. As a bonus, the book includes a selection of 100 Wines to Admire from across Italy - wines that every reader should taste at least once (or buy by the case). Offering a dual perspective for "beginners" and "wine obsessives," this playful and informative guide reintroduces the most essential aspect of all great Italian wines: joy. Read more