Spring is here. Summer is coming. It's time to come out of hibernation and plan a few get-to-gethers (or is that 'set-to-gethers').

These two great wine memoirs will get you thinking about the drop. Jay McInerney has written A Hedonist in a Cellar (Yes, THAT Jay McInerney.) He draws comparisons between Californian wines and floundering Hollywood stars while providing a genuine connoisseur's take on the wine regions of the world. And its self-deprecating and hilarious. Red, White, and Drunk All Over is Natalie MacLean's memoir of her three years tasting, tippling and talking wine. From Burgundy to Champagne and comparing notes with said McInerney, Red, White, and Drunk All Over is a fresh look at the wine industry from 5 star restaurants to labyrinthine cellars.

Champagne by Don and Petie Kladstrup is the story of bubbles. In loving detail, they describe how the world's most glamorous wine triumphed over war and hard times but also of the region itself, Champagne, which has seen more conflict than any other place on earth. A great addition to any imbiber's library.

Spring reliably brings dress-ups and cocktails and one of the best little recipe/guide books I have ever seen (the design and layout is gorgeous) is simply called the cocktail: 200 Fabulous Drinks. Jan Rocca, a writer who contributes to The Age amongst many others and Kat Mcleod, who did the great illustrations and 'loves drawing women in frivoulous made-up outfits', have come up with a winner birthday or Christmas gift. Try the Godmother, (60ml vodka and 30ml Amaretto in a highball) before you give it away though!

And the must haves in the shop at the moment are the two latest Australian wine guides. The Australian Wine Annual 2009 is out in the shops now and With ratings of more than 11,000 Australian wines and comprehensive tasting notes of more than 1,100 current release wines, it is the most authoritative, independent and indispensable source of expert opinion on Australian wine. James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion (2009 edition) is the bestselling guide to wineries and wine in Australia. Keenly anticipated by winemakers, collectors and lushs alike, the 2009 edition has been completely revised and updated with details such as opening times for wineries and biographies on the winemakers.