“Kate Hawkings writes about this fascinating subset of the booze world with enthusiasm, love and authority… her unique voice sings out joyfully from every paragraph.”

Tim Hayward, Financial Times

“A captivating guide to the greatest snifters, liveners and inebriates, served by the most civilised people, at the day’s finest hour…I love it.”

Joe Fattorini

“As a wine writer, Hawkings has the driest sense of humour I’ve yet come across. Her irreverent, tongue-firmly-in-cheek, slightly mocking (in a kind way) tone splashes bright colours over all manner of serious and somewhat tedious topics. Dry, wry, poking gentle fun at herself and everybody else, she somehow succeeds in imparting a lot of pretty fascinating information in such a way that you feel like you’ve spent the evening at a comedy gig. She camouflages her pin-sharp intelligence with nonchalant irreverence.”

Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com.

“The caliber of Hawkings’ writing is reminiscent to that of Roald Dahl or C.S. Lewis, although her preferred subject is booze rather than childhood adventures…Hawkings' facts are clear, her wit acidic and her respect for fluid prose evident.

The lucid, raw narrative will keep you turning pages to learn about the history of champagne, say, or searching for another irreverent reference to retro hipsters, bear-sized Russian drinking companions, or ‘nasty flavors found in grown-up drinks.’”

forbes.com