Wine personality Tom Gilbey to launch debut book at Bristol wine bar - here's everything you need to know
Wine personality Tom Gilbey is set to unveil his first book at a popular Bristol wine bar. Here's what you need to know about the event.
Tom Gilbey - a wine expert, accidental internet sensation and one of the most charismatic new voices in wine - will be launching his debut book, Thirsty: 100 Great Wines and Stories, at KASK 2 on November 12 from 6.30pm.
Gilbey, who is known for his humour and down-to-earth approach, shot to fame after running the London Marathon while tasting a wine at the end of each wine.
His debut book captures that same irreverent spirit, blending deep knowledge with a sense of fun and generosity.
The evening event at KASK 2 will feature a freewheeling mix of storytelling, sipping and shared chaos, including a ‘taste-along’ of two wines picked by KASK team and critiqued live by Gilbey.
KASK 2 will also be opening its latest addition, the Book Nook, on November 16.
The new feature on the mezzanine level of the venue will be part Bookshop/ part Library/ part Tasting Room, a boost a book selection curated in partnership with Max Minerva’s Bookshop in Henleaze (owned by the brother/brother-in-law and sister-in-law of KASK’s owners Charlie and Natalie) focusing on wine, food and travel titles, alongside fiction inspired by the regions that influence the bar’s wine list.
Guests are encouraged to enjoy a glass of wine while browsing or reading in the Book Nook, creating a space equally suited to solo afternoons or spontaneous catch-ups.
The shelves will also include a second-hand swap section, with some of the team’s own well-loved books, and magazines such as Noble Rot, Swirl, Bristol Life and Nearfield.
The room will transform by night into a private Tasting Room for group bookings, and from early December, KASK2 will also begin serving coffee and boozy hot chocolate, extending its opening hours into the day.
Charlie Taylor, KASK’s co-owner said: “At KASK in Bedminster, we’ve always had regulars who turn up with a book and spend a few hours with a couple of glasses.
“It made sense to take that idea and give it a home at KASK². Guests can pick up a book from the shelf, order a glass, and if they’re hooked, buy the book when they leave.”
Thirsty will of course be available to buy both on the night, and in the Book Nook. Part memoir, part guide, the book pairs 100 unforgettable wines with the stories behind them - from supermarket bargains to Bordeaux classics, family cellars to finish-line tastings.
It’s a celebration of slowing down, pouring generously and enjoying the moment. The launch at KASK² will bring that philosophy to life.
The book launched nationally yesterday (November 6) and tickets for the event are on sale here.