Amanda Barnes, Author at Circle of Wine Writers

New Member: Fred Nijhuis

Posted on August 31, 2023August 31, 2023 by Amanda Barnes

Fred Nijhuis is a self-confessed wine lover, wine writer, romantic realist and a critic when necessary. His career in wine started some 40 years ago when he started asking, “Why and how?”, a question that still keeps him busy. After working exclusively for a wine magazine for several years, he became an independent professional and specialises in Italian wines, educational workshops and tailor-...

Mallorca makes strides in reviving indigenous varieties

Posted on July 29, 2023 by Amaya Cervera

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Manchuela – Spain not as we know it

Posted on July 29, 2023 by Keith Grainger

Keith Grainger goes off the beaten track, not so far from Benidorm, but in other ways a world away, and is beguiled by Bobal, Moravia Agria, Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante-Bouschet) and Macabeo. It’s a source of endless fascination as to why some wine regions have become world famous, whilst others remain largely unknown. “Monsieur, c'est le terroir!” is an oft-heard response, when asking the winem...

The old vine revolution of Eastern Mendoza

Posted on July 27, 2023July 27, 2023 by Amanda Barnes

Amanda Barnes shares her excitement about the renaissance of old vine Criolla wines in Eastern Mendoza in this video documentary, published on The South America Wine Guide. There are many reasons why I am excited about the old vine revolution happening in South America. Both with noble grapes like Semillon, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as far humbler grapes including País, Mos...

Bringing precious plantings into the present

Posted on July 26, 2023 by Alder Yarrow

Sander de Vaan’s Wijngids Frankrijk released

Posted on July 16, 2023July 16, 2023 by Sander de Vaan

Wine writer Sander de Vaan has released his latest book, Wijngids Frankrijk (Wineguide France, Edicola Publishers). Now available in Dutch in the Netherlands and Belgium, the book details the wine regions of France (including Corsica) with a special focus on some 130 "vignerons", from Château Margaux, Lynch Bages and Mouton-Rothschild to small producers all over the country. Apart from Frenc...

New Member: Luisa Welch

Posted on July 16, 2023 by Luisa Welch

Luisa Welch is a wine educator, wine judge and wine writer. She holds the WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits and the WSET Sake1 and is a member of AWE (Association of Wine Educators). She set up Euposia Wine Education 20 years ago as an aside to her main job in food, drink and hospitality marketing, but wine has since become her main occupation. She runs three wine groups in person and one on lin...

New Member: Robin Goldsmith

Posted on July 16, 2023 by Robin Goldsmith

With previous careers in IT and then as an NHS Speech and Language Therapist, Robin Goldsmith decided to follow his true passion and become a freelance drinks writer. He has contributed to many magazines, websites and trade organisations, including Business France, Académie du Vin, Wine Enthusiast, IWSR, Speciality Food Magazine, IWC Canopy and travel magazines. He is also a founding member and ...

Patience, perseverance and pasta: Antinori launches its London Cantinetta

Posted on June 26, 2023June 27, 2023 by Amanda Barnes

Amanda Barnes sits down to taste a vertical of Solaia as the Antinori family launches its latest restaurant in the heart of London. “Having 630 years of history helps us to be patient,” says Allegra Antinori, 26th generation of the Antinori wine dynasty and the middle of the three sisters gradually taking over from their father, Marchese Piero Antinori. “This is not a soft launch, but a long la...

Lots of refined Rheinghau go under the hammer

Posted on June 26, 2023June 27, 2023 by Jochen Erler