Joseph Bastianich

Joseph Bastianich

Joseph Bastianich was born on September 17th, 1968 and is currently 56 years old. Joseph Bastianich was born in Queens, New York, USA. Bastianich attended Boston College where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Joseph Bastianich is an American television personality, restaurateur, and author. He co-owns 30 restaurants across four countries with his mother. In 2010, he partnered with successful businessman Oscar Farinetti to open a high-end food and wine market, Eataly, in cities like Boston, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, London, New York City, and Stockholm.

In 2002, Bastianich published Vino Italiano: The Regional Wines of Italy in collaboration with David Lynch. This excellent guide to Italian wines offers clear explanations of wine types, grape varieties, regions, processes, and the history behind them. The book also includes stories about winemakers and the development of winemaking in the different regions of the country.

It’s important to note that this isn’t a wine-tasting or rating guide. Instead, it’s a guide that helps readers understand the connection between food, wine, and the places they come from. It encourages readers to explore Italian wine with knowledge and curiosity, serving more as a helpful teacher rather than a guide with strict opinions.

While having some familiarity with Italy’s geography might enhance the experience, it’s not required. You can follow along chapter by chapter, explore new wines, and learn as you go. There is some inclusion of recipes by Lidia Bastianich (the author’s mother) and his business partner Mario Batali, but that’s not the book’s focus. What makes this book unique are the summaries at the end of each chapter, which neatly organize the important wines, grape varieties, and notable wineries, making it easy to reference later.

If you want to better understand Italian wines, Vino Italiano is a must-read practical guide.

Grandi Vini: An Opinionated Tour of Italy's 89 Finest Wines takes the reader beyond the bottles and introduces us to the winemakers and vineyards that make these wines truly special. Each recommendation tells a story and shows how these wines have influenced the industry. For instance, Bastianich highlights a notable Sangiovese from San Patrignano, a winery that also serves as Europe’s largest drug rehabilitation center. In Sicily, he spotlights Pietramarina, a crisp white wine crafted in the unique volcanic soils of Mount Etna by the innovative Benati family. Of course, no Italian wine journey would be complete without Barolo. Bastianich delves into both traditional and modern producers from this legendary region, such as Paolo Scavino’s Rocche dell’Annunziata Riserva and Luciano Sandrone’s Cannubi Boschis, which gained fame in the 1990s.

Grandi Vini is not just a book about wine stories—it also includes a wine list at the back, providing detailed information about each wine, production methods, and winery websites. Beautiful hand-drawn maps pinpoint the locations of vineyards, making it easy for readers to imagine or plan their wine adventures.

For anyone who loves wine, Grandi Vini is a delightful and informative guide to some of Italy’s best vintages. It’s a must-read for enthusiasts eager to learn more about the rich world of Italian wine.

Related Authors

The most common authors followed by users who also follow Joseph Bastianich are:

1. Stephen King, author of The Dark Tower Series.
2. Steve Berry, author of the Cotton Malone Series.
3. Alexander McCall Smith, author of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series.
4. Bill Bryson, author of the Bill Bryson Travel Books.
5. Catherine Coulter, author of the FBI Thriller Series.

Joseph Bastianich: F.A.Q