From Michelin-starred kitchens to the biting humor of Anthony Bourdain, graphic novels about wine and gastronomy offer a banquet of stories—celebrations of taste, passion, and culture—far removed from superheroes and capes, yet every bit as rich in drama and transformation.
Before diving in, it’s worth pausing on an important distinction. In English, the term “comics” is generally associated with serialized, action-packed works full of superheroes and fast-paced adventures. “Graphic novels,” on the other hand, refer to longer, more layered works—stories that focus on character development, transformation, and slices of life rather than heroics. This distinction has also taken root in Turkish, where the term grafik roman has been embraced to describe such works. Every title introduced in this article belongs firmly in the graphic novel category.
And since wine is my truest passion, let’s begin with those.
Wine 101 – French Wines / Desen Publications
This story follows Lucien, a young man who begins working as an art director at a communications agency devoted to wine. Although he enjoys food and loves drinking wine, Lucien is hardly knowledgeable about it—a fact quickly revealed when he gives a clumsy assessment of a wine early in the book. His colleagues, sales manager Jean and copywriter-editor Charlotte, immediately notice his lack of experience. Determined to change this, they take it upon themselves to educate him. After all, nothing less would be expected of an agency that lives and breathes wine communication.
What makes Wine 101 especially delightful is the way it explains wine through vivid, memorable metaphors accessible to anyone. For example, in response to the question “What is wine?” the book compares a winemaker to a film director, the vintage to the script, the terroir to the set design, and the grape variety to the lead actor. It’s a brilliant analogy that strips away intimidation and makes wine approachable.
Lucien’s education isn’t confined to theory. He is taken to vineyards, wineries, and trade fairs, where he breathes in the air of wine country and, more importantly, tastes its fruits. He meets winemakers, learning firsthand how deeply they invest love and passion into their craft. In the process, Lucien undergoes trials and growth, while we, as readers, accompany him every step of the way.
Wine writing has often been criticized for adopting an overly exclusive, inaccessible tone—making wine seem more complicated than it needs to be. I share this view, which is why I always strive to describe wine in straightforward, relatable language. Wine 101 embodies this same philosophy, making it an ideal starting point for anyone curious about wine. It deserves a place in every beginner’s library.
Les Ignorants / Baobab Publications
This fascinating book brings together two men from different worlds: illustrator Étienne Davodeau and winemaker Richard Leroy. When Étienne knocks on Richard’s door one day, he proposes an unusual exchange—he will learn everything about wine from Richard, and in return, he will introduce Richard to the “ninth art”: comics.
What follows is an extraordinary journey of shared discovery. Étienne learns about viticulture, grapes, and the rhythms of nature, while Richard explores the world of graphic novels, attends conventions, and delves into the works of renowned creators. At every step, the two sit down together, talk, and debate, their mutual transformation captured beautifully in the pages.
The details are enchanting. Richard’s devotion to the Loire Valley and to Chenin Blanc shines through; his disdain for wines made without love is so strong that he simply gives them away—a gesture that, to Étienne’s delight, often means drinking exceptional bottles. Meanwhile, Étienne demonstrates his own mastery by carefully curating which works Richard reads, proving himself as refined in storytelling as Richard is in winemaking.
Perhaps the most surprising revelation is that none of this is fiction. Both men are real, and their collaboration unfolded exactly as described, later transcribed into this graphic novel. After reading it, you may find yourself eager to seek out Richard Leroy’s highly sought-after wines—though they are notoriously difficult to find. Still, as I like to say, the journey matters more than the destination.
Yet it would be unfair to reduce Les Ignorants to a wine-lover’s book. Étienne’s drawings and narrative craft elevate it into something broader: a universal story about passion, dedication, and the joy of learning from one another.
Drops Of God
This time, we turn to a Japanese manga, a long-form comic series. Drops of God has not yet been translated into Turkish, but if my description sparks your curiosity, know that the story has also been adapted into a television series of the same name. The first season, with eight episodes, was warmly received, and a second season is expected in December 2025.
The manga itself is extensive—44 volumes in total—so embarking on it is no small undertaking. Its premise, however, is captivating. Shizuku Kanzaki, estranged from his father for many years, works in beer sales and harbors no interest in wine. Upon the death of his father, Yutaka Kanzaki—a world-renowned wine critic—Shizuku is summoned to his mansion, home to one of the most exclusive wine collections in the world.
There he learns of his father’s will: to inherit his legacy, Shizuku must correctly identify 13 wines chosen by Yutaka. Twelve are known as the “Twelve Apostles,” and the thirteenth is the fabled “Drops of God.” The challenge becomes even more intense when Shizuku discovers he has a rival—Issei Tomine, a brilliant young critic trained by his father and treated as an adopted son.
Though Shizuku initially dislikes wine, he soon discovers that he possesses an extraordinary natural gift: a refined palate, an acute sense of smell, and a poetic ability to describe what he experiences. As the contest unfolds, he begins to embrace both wine and the challenge, finding joy in the game his father designed.
Before closing the wine section, one more recommendation deserves mention: Wine: A Graphic History. Though not yet available in Turkish, this work combines Daniel Casanave’s charming illustrations with Benoist Simmat’s engaging narration to present the history of wine in graphic novel form.
Peeters’ story is unusual. Unlike many chefs who grew up in food-loving households, his childhood was marked by bland, uninspired meals. Dissatisfied, he began to experiment on his own—reading, researching, and cooking until he became the family’s de facto chef.
His life changed in the 1970s after a revelatory meal at the Troisgros Brothers’ restaurant, France’s most celebrated dining destination. The subtle layers of flavor, the depth, and the artistry of every dish opened his eyes to what gastronomy could achieve. From that point forward, he continued to hone his skills at home, even working as a private chef to earn money, while simultaneously writing restaurant reviews. This led to friendships with great chefs such as Willy Slawinski of Apicius, further deepening his culinary passion.
This story follows Guillaume, a young university graduate unsure of his path. He dreams of becoming a war correspondent, pursuing what he sees as “serious” work. Dismissing his grandfather’s career as a famous food critic, Guillaume claims that gastronomy is not serious at all. Offended, his grandfather challenges him: Try being a food critic yourself, then judge.
Initially, Guillaume underestimates the discipline, seeing cooking as nothing more than following recipes. But as he experiences the artistry and philosophy behind each dish, he begins to understand its depth. He recalls the tastes and smells of childhood, much like Anton Ego’s revelatory scene in Pixar’s Ratatouille. Slowly, Guillaume realizes that gastronomy is not just craft but art—an expression of effort, love, and vision.
Finally, we turn to the Get Jiro series, written by the late Anthony Bourdain with Joel Rose. Set in a dystopian future where gastronomy dominates society, the books depict chefs as powerful crime lords, rulers of cities where people literally kill for a coveted restaurant seat. In this brutal world, philosophies of cuisine become battle lines in a bloody culinary war.
At the center stands Jiro, a humble sushi chef running a modest restaurant on the city’s outskirts. His food is exquisite, but he is merciless with customers who fail to respect it. Different factions seek to recruit him, yet Jiro has his own path in mind.
The first volume, Get Jiro! (2012), presents this violent world, while Get Jiro: Blood and Sushi (2015) explores Jiro’s past and the struggles that shaped him. Neither has yet been translated into Turkish.
Bourdain’s critique is clear: as food culture rises in prestige, it risks devolving into empty spectacle. His darkly satirical take, expressed through the medium of graphic novels, is as brilliant as it is unsettling. The violent energy of Get Jirorecalls the dark humor of Mark Mylod’s 2022 film The Menu, which explored similar themes with biting precision.
