Merano’s vinous festivities measure up 

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Awe-inspiring Alto Adige

Filippo Magnani revels in the region that’s an Alpine paradise for wine lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. This September, I participated in the fourth edition of the Alto Adige Wine Summit. This rather new event is the largest of its kind that focuses on Alto Adige wines and has already drawn significant international attention. Organized by the Alto Adige Wine Consortium, the event hosted 97...
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Leaf roll, mealy bugs and more to come

Liz Sagues discovers the fascinating world of leaf roll virus and what Nic van Aarde, winemaker at Oldenburg Estate in Stellenbosch, and his colleagues are doing to combat it in a recent Let's talk about... session. She also looks forward at what's to come in 2024, and highlights some gems from 2023. The Circle's penultimate online presentation in 2023 answered a question that has long puzzled ma...
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New Member: Sandro Minella

A Piedmont native, Sandro Minella is a professional sommelier and a licensed tour guide. He's the owner and founder of Taste Your Way, a company with 20 years’ experience in tailor-made food and wine events, educational workshops, and tours all over Italy, for wine professionals and wine lovers. Since 2019, he has been the scientific director and professor at Barolo & Barbaresco Academy, for ...
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Oz Clarke awarded OBE

Oz Clarke received his OBE medal from King Charles at Buckingham Palace this week. One of the world's most-loved wine writers and presenters, Oz has authored over 30 book titles. "On behalf of all the members of the Circle of Wine Writers I would like to congratulate you on your OBE award - I cannot think of anyone else in the wine world that deserves this more," says Chairperson of the Circle,...
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Meet the Member: Alan Tardi

James Beard Award-winning wine writer Alan Tardi shares his fascinating story of how he moved on from being a dish washer at a restaurant in New York to opening a wine school in this interview with Amanda Barnes. He explains why, despite training in French cuisine, it was Italy that blew his mind, and shares his love affair with the wine country ever since.   How did you get into wine?  ...
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From Bordeaux to Beijing, witnessing bombing raids on Pauillac to involvement in early informatique – the story of a life well lived

Jane Anson marvels at the memoir of Bordeaux legend Jean-Michel Cazes, From Bordeaux to the Stars: The Reawakening of a Wine Legend, which she translated into English, with this piece written before his passing in June. One of the most dog-eared books on my shelves is a two-volume, closely typed history of the Médoc vineyards from the Middle Ages to the mid-20th century. Written by French geograp...
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