Amanda Barnes, Author at Circle of Wine Writers

Meet the Member: Anne Krebiehl MW

Posted on July 20, 2021 by Amanda Barnes

Anne Krebiehl MW is one of the foremost experts on German wine and author of the award-winning book The Wines of Germany. Amanda Barnes interviews her about hipster Spätburgunder and an early fancy of white Rhône in this Meet the Member interview. You can watch the full interview live on Instagram. What was your earliest memory of wine? I did not grow up in a wine drinking family. My mum had a ...

The Golden Vines Awards Trophy revealed

Posted on July 20, 2021 by Amanda Barnes

Shantell Martin, the renowned London-born, New York-based artist known for her large scale black-and-white drawings, has designed the artwork for The Golden Vines Awards Trophy. Shantell Martin is one of the most groundbreaking young artists working today and is known for her exploration into the vast potential of the drawn line. Using an ink marker, she creates small personal sketches, large-sc...

Timo Jokinen’s restaurant takes home a Wine Spectator Award

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Amanda Barnes

Wine writer and Circle member Timo Jokinen's restaurant in Tampere, Winebridge, has become the third restaurant in Finland to have won a Wine Spectator Award of Excellency. Winebridge joins the two other Finnish restaurants recognised by the awards, Restaurant Pastis and Restaurant Muru, in the esteemed list which evaluates restaurants not only based on their cuisine and service but pays signif...

Steven Spurrier posthumously awarded The 2021 Oeno Golden Vines Honorary Award

Posted on July 7, 2021July 25, 2021 by Amanda Barnes

Bella Spurrier, the late wife of wine industry legend Steven Spurrier, received The Oeno Golden Vines Honorary Award in honour of Steven Spurrier's extraordinary achievements at an intimate event hosted by Liquid Icons and The Macallan at The Macallan Golden Vines Dinner. The dinner took place at The Manor House in The Rosewood Hotel London on 6th July. Jane MacQuitty, Spurrier’s friend and The ...

A new perspective on Picpoul

Posted on June 20, 2021June 22, 2021 by Amanda Barnes

Amanda Barnes appreciates a new acacia-aged, lobster-friendly take on the Languedoc classic. Picpoul is a summer classic: fresh, breezy, zingy and tantalisingly cheap! This regional speciality from the Languedoc is renowned for its excellent value and ease of drinking, offering a high acidity, fresh and a mouthwatering glass of wine which works excellently with the local oysters and seafood. Thes...

Vlog: Alentejo’s ancient telha wines

Posted on June 20, 2021 by Stephen Quinn

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Golden Vines Diversity Scholarships announced

Posted on June 20, 2021 by Amanda Barnes

Liquid Icons – the fine wine research and content production company founded by the late, great Gerard Basset OBE MW MS and his friend Lewis Chester DipWSET – are delighted to announce the recipients of twelve new scholarships for BAME/BIPOC wine students: The Golden Vines™ Masters of Wine Scholarship, The Golden Vines™ Master Sommelier Scholarship and The Golden Vines™ Wine Scholar Guild Scholars...

Meet the Friend: Patrick Rea

Posted on June 19, 2021June 21, 2021 by Amanda Barnes

Patrick Rea found his way into the world of wine through a fortunate acquirement by one of his clients. In this Meet the Friend interview, Amanda Barnes learns why he went from marketing medical services to marketing English Pinotage and why he's hoping to be able to invite members over for a round of golf at Mannings Heath one day soon. Tell us how you got into the world of wine and ...

CWW virtual tasting: Let’s taste… JING Tea

Posted on June 19, 2021June 22, 2021 by Janet Z Wang

Janet Wang on the CWW May virtual tea tasting and reflections on why wine writers should know more about tea! I love the diverse range of topics discussed in the various CWW forums, so when the latest ‘Let’s taste…’ series offered a chance to try fine teas from the specialist house of Jing, I was surprised and delighted. It was straight into the diary in permanent ink. When the tasting set arri...

New Member: Robin Kick MW

Posted on June 19, 2021June 20, 2021 by Robin Kick MW

Originally from the Chicago area, Robin is a Master of Wine who is presently based in Lugano, Switzerland, where she works as an independent wine consultant, buyer, journalist, educator and judge. Following studies in French and English literature, she changed career paths in 1998 when she left her teaching position at the Université de Nice to study wine at the BIVB in Beaune, France and the Un...