Amanda Barnes, Author at Circle of Wine Writers

A classical combination at Grafenegg

Posted on October 29, 2024December 10, 2024 by Jochen Erler

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Stephen Barrett: A tribute

Posted on October 16, 2024October 30, 2024 by Amanda Barnes

Stephen Barrett was a popular wine writer and educator, as well as a successful restauranteur. Well loved by many members of the wine trade, Stephen was a long-standing member of the Circle of Wine Writers and Association of Wine Educators (AWE). He passed away aged 77 in his home in Plymouth. Fellow members pay tribute. "I have fond memories of Stephen, particularly of his passion for food and...

New Member: Valerie Kathawala

Posted on October 1, 2024 by Amanda Barnes

Valerie Kathawala is a journalist, author, and editor who lives and works in New York City. As an occasional resident of Germany and Austria, and a lifelong student of German language and culture, she specializes in the wines of these two countries. Her work appears in the pages of Noble Rot, Full Pour, The Art of Eating, SevenFifty Daily, and a range of other publications. Together with fel...

The time is nigh for Tardif et al

Posted on October 1, 2024 by Liz Sagues

Liz Sagues discovers once-abandoned grape varieties from south-west France and sees their new and growing importance in mitigating the climate crisis. For too long, south-west France has been in the shadows when there's discussion on indigenous grape varieties. But with ever-increasing recognition of the effects of the climate crisis, there is new focus on a region with a unique vine heritage. An...

The secrets to Istrian Malvasia: Dimitri Brečević interview

Posted on October 1, 2024 by Amanda Barnes

Amanda Barnes shares her video interview with winemaker Dimitri Brečević, one most celebrated producers in the region of Istria. Making his own wines under the Piquentum brand and consulting to Clai d.o.o., this video interview focuses on the particularities of Istrian Malvasia. One of the most important native grapes in Croatia, the Malvasia from Istria is unique in form and flavour, and requ...

Golden Slavonia and its gorgeous Graševina

Posted on October 1, 2024 by Dijana Grgić

Dijana Grgić calls in on Kutjevo, the Croatian heartland of the grape variety that has nothing to do with Riesling, as well as the neighbouring strongholds of Pakrac and Požega-Pleternica, and also takes the Rose and Wine Road. Požega-Slavonia County is home to three notable sub-regions and is the home of Croatia's most important white wine variety, Graševina. The vineyards of Kutjevo, Po...

Down dramatic Dalmatia way

Posted on October 1, 2024October 1, 2024 by Jolanta Smičienė

Meet the Member: Kevin Day

Posted on August 28, 2024August 30, 2024 by Amanda Barnes

Kevin Day has been blogging about and photographing wine for over decade and has found a niche in writing about the wines of Italy and France via his online magazine, Opening a Bottle. In this interview, Amanda Barnes finds out why Kevin is concerned about the impact of AI on wine writing and learns about some of his favourite vinous gems from Italy, including Schioppettino and the white blend...

Quality perception concerns from the Cape

Posted on August 28, 2024 by Michael Fridjhon

Switzerland surprises with staggering assortment of grapes

Posted on August 28, 2024August 30, 2024 by Sue Eames

Sue Eames discovers that the Swiss wine scene isn’t solely about Chasselas, far from it in fact, and is spoilt for choice with a plethora of exciting indigenous varieties, crossings and PIWIs, to choose from. Judging in any wine region is always a great opportunity to visit local wineries and explore the latest trends, and our trip to Le Mondial du Chasselas in Aigle, Switzerland, in late May was...