Appraising Austria’s new single vineyard releases

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Stephen Brook publishes his memoirs ‘Memoirs of a freeloader’

Stephen Brook has been writing about wine and travel for 35 years, and published numerous books and articles on both subjects. In his latest book, Memoirs of a Freeloader, he reveals the lighter side of his occupation: press trips and festivals, officious PRs, venal bloggers, eccentric colleagues, gluttony, and things going wrong. Intended to amuse, not inform, this is an episodic and anecdotal to...
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Paula Sidore launches TRINK

Circle member and wine writer Paula Sidore has recently launched a new wine magazine TRINK — the world's first English language digital publication dedicated to the wines of South Tyrol, Austria, Germany, and German Switzerland, four regions linked by far more than language alone. TRINK trains a close eye on identity through a mix of fresh news angles, unexpected pairings and bottle picks, as ...
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Full Bodied: The faded memories of a big man in the wine trade

Christopher Fielden spent lockdown earlier this year penning his memoirs, Full Bodied: The faded memories of a big man in the wine trade, which Amanda Barnes reviews this month. We also publish an entertaining extract from the book as Christopher gets to grips with the Albanian wine market. Christopher Fielden has incredible stories that you can truly relish in with him in his newest book, Full B...
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Meet the Member: Christopher Fielden

Christopher Fielden is a well-known personality in the wine industry, having spent the past 60 years working in the trade in various roles. As he releases his new memoir, Full Bodied, Amanda Barnes interviews him about his favourite wine regions, books and why there's no guilty pleasure in his wine closet. Christopher served on the Circle committee for 6 years from 2003 and, during that time, four...
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The Drinks Trust launches trade survey

As part of its continuing work to help everyone working in the drinks industry, the Drinks Trust carrying out its first-ever trade survey, seeking further information about the effect of Covid-19 and other current issues on individuals. The aim, says the Trust, is 'to establish how members of the hospitality and drinks industries are feeling, what their concerns are and to better understand what t...
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Meet the Friend: Su-Lin Ong

Su-Lin Ong
Su-Lin Ong is an independent wines and spirits consultant specialising in research and development, marketing and PR. For over 25 years she has worked with both long-established brands and helped launch new entrepreneurial brands, working also on cocktails, beers and tea infusions! Amanda Barnes interviews her about her parents' cocktail trolley, fast cars and slow wine, and why she'll be looking ...
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Occitanie Wine School launches series of educational videos

During these quiet months, Bureau de la Région Occitanie UK has been busy on its new initiative to support wine trade professionals who haven’t had the usual essential tastings, training and travel to enjoy. A new series of Occitanie Wine School videos has been swiftly filmed, to let them watch and learn anytime, anywhere in just five to ten minutes. Each video is a compact, fast facts guide on a...
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