Amanda Barnes, Author at Circle of Wine Writers

Meet the Member: Jon Wyand

Posted on January 23, 2022January 23, 2022 by Amanda Barnes

Jon Wyand is an award-winning photographer whose many works include his own two books, 4 seasons in Côte Chalonnaise and A year on Corton. In this interview, Amanda Barnes learns how it was his £1-a-night job that lured him into the world of wine and of his plans for the year to come. What first brought you into the world of wine? Well, it wasn’t drinking it! Alcohol was not a thing in...

What can we do better?

Posted on January 23, 2022January 30, 2022 by Wink Lorch

In a very personal piece, drawing on her experiences in France, Wink Lorch considers our role in the mental health of wine producers. I know that we’re supposed to begin the year in an upbeat mood, but for many this is difficult when reflecting on the last 12 months, although what follows has little to do with the pandemic. Before I start, I’m going to be very English and apologise: I’m sorry if ...

Analysing Angélus

Posted on January 23, 2022January 26, 2022 by Jane Anson

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San Marco hits New Jersey

Posted on January 23, 2022January 25, 2022 by Richard Leahy

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The lowdown on Lassègue

Posted on January 23, 2022 by Keith Grainger

Keith Grainger engages in deep conversation on a range of vinous subjects with winemaker Nicolas Seillan, and finds a reborn Saint-Émilion estate that has come of age. How we define and identify quality in wines is a topic that I have written about extensively. Quality may be assessed using many criteria and, to me, one of the most important of these is that a wine should exude ‘a sense of place’...

Mountain magic

Posted on December 19, 2021December 20, 2021 by Filippo Magnani

Filippo Magnani explores the grapes varieties, wines, people, culture and valleys of the Dolomites as he attends the third edition of the Wine Summit, organized by Consorzio Alto Adige Wines. Wine Summit is an extraordinary event which, through the masterful organization of Consorzio Alto Adige Wines, recounts the stories and people behind the wine of this magnificent wine region. Alto Adige is...

A tale of two French titans: Château Pichon Baron and Domaine De L’Arlot

Posted on December 19, 2021December 20, 2021 by Amanda Barnes

Amanda Barnes examines AXA Millésimes’ two very different but complementary estates, Château Pichon Baron and Domaine De L’Arlot, which became the first two members of its now six-strong portfolio. When the insurance broker AXA made its first foray into the world of wine portfolios, it picked two estates to get the ball rolling in 1987 – Château Pichon Baron in Bordeaux and Domaine De L’Arlot in ...

Peter & Susie aim to tackle climate crisis with English wine campaign

Posted on December 16, 2021 by Amanda Barnes

Married MWs Susie Barrie and Peter Richards launched their Big English Wine Adventure back in 2016 – the warmest year recorded on earth until that point – when they made a traditional method sparkling Blanc de Blancs in conjunction with Hampshire winery Hattingley Valley. They’ve since added a 2017 Meunier/Chardonnay sparkling blend and a 2018 red Pinot Noir made in collaboration with one of En...

Simon J Woolf, Jasper Morris and Amanda Barnes nominated for André Simon awards

Posted on December 15, 2021December 19, 2021 by Robert Smyth

Circle Members Simon J Woolf, Jasper Morris MW and Amanda Barnes have all been longlisted for the André Simon Drinks Book 2021 award. Simon J Woolf received his nomination for Foot Trodden, which he co-authored with Ryan Opaz. Jasper Morris MW received a nomination for this in-depth look at one of the world's most famous wine regions in Inside Burgundy. And Amanda Barnes received a nomina...

Jane Anson, Oz Clarke & Keith Grainger shine at the Gourmand awards

Posted on December 15, 2021December 16, 2021 by Amanda Barnes

Congratulations to the Members who took home celebrated Gourmand Awards for their books in the awards ceremony last month. Jane Anson, Oz Clarke and Keith Grainger all took home significant awards for their new books. Jane Anson won Best of the Best for her book, Inside Bordeaux, which was published earlier this year. Oz Clarke won the World Wines award for his book, English Wines, published...