Alexis Lichine was born in Moscow in 1913. Owing to the revolution he left Russia at he age of four with his family, and went to France. He wad educated in France and United States. He went into the wine business as an advertising salesman in Paris. Subsequently he moved to the United States where he gained considerable experience both in the retail and wholesale wine and spirit business. During World War II Mr. Lichine served with the US Army and took part in the August 1944 allied landings in southern France. He finished his military service as a major acting as personnal aide to the Supreme Allied Commander, General Einsenhower. Immediately after the war, Mr. Lichine toured the vineyards of Europe in order to re-stock the cellars and reorganized the wine lists of the Waldorf-Astoria in New-York and Antoine's restaurant in New-Orleans. This led to the establishment of "Alexis Lichine Selections".

Both of these books became wine bibles to the trade and consumers.