Amanda Barnes, Author at Circle of Wine Writers

Opening the Wine Doors of Florence

Posted on August 4, 2019 by Andrew Barrow

Andrew Barrow sheds light on the forgotten Florentine portals that date back to the Medici period and served vino from beyond the city’s walls well into the last century. “You sure they ain’t religious tabernacles?” – my unimpressed companion questioned. No, the 167- odd Wine Doors of Florence, the basis for my final project for the Falmouth University MA course, which covered these little remnan...

Notes for Circular contributors

Posted on August 4, 2019August 4, 2019 by Amanda Barnes

We welcome members to contribute to our monthly publication, The Circular, with their articles, features, photography and news. The Circular includes content from our members all over the globe and we aim to publish an informative and interesting monthly read for fellow members, Friends of the Circle and subscribers. Some months we have a focus region or country, which we will advertise in adva...

Magical Madeira

Posted on August 4, 2019 by Neil Fairlamb

To access this post, you must purchase Premium Friend of the Circle (inc one-off joining fee) or 2026 Premium Friend of the Circle (current Friends renewal only/April), or log in.

Finding François: A taste of Lurton’s global wine adventures

Posted on August 3, 2019August 8, 2019 by Chuck Buyers

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New Member: Julian Wiseman

Posted on August 3, 2019August 3, 2019 by Amanda Barnes

Julian Wiseman is the author of Port Vintages, an authoritative reference book on old vintage Port (print run one pipe; happily all sold). He is married (with three children and four cats), lives in London, works in the interest-rate markets, has a degree in mathematics, and is an Honorary Confrade with the rank of Knight in the Confraria do Vinho do Porto. More relevantly he has drunk about ten t...

Is this the southernmost vineyard in the world?

Posted on July 13, 2019July 13, 2019 by Amanda Barnes

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A bevy of Brit Bacchus

Posted on July 13, 2019July 15, 2019 by Liz Sagues

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The wines of Chablis & the Grand Auxerrois by Rosemary George MW

Posted on July 12, 2019July 12, 2019 by Amanda Barnes

This August marks the centenary of the legislation laying down the first principles of appellation d’origine contrôlée. Since 1919 the wine growers of Chablis have had legal rights to use the name. But Chablis is a complex region and many arguments regarding the appellation’s strict definition ensued – which villages could use the name, was it essential that wines were made exclusively from Chardo...

Paul Strang’s Languedoc-Roussillon book awarded at Gourmand

Posted on July 12, 2019 by Amanda Barnes

Congratulations to Paul Strang for his recent recognition at the Gourmand Awards, where his book Languedoc Roussillon: The Wines and Winemakers was recognised as 'best in the world' in the category for books on French wine.

Circle Summer Party 2019

Posted on July 12, 2019July 15, 2019 by Amanda Barnes

Members and friends enjoyed a warm summer's evening by the Thames on Monday 8th July. This was the first event held by the Circle at this time of year, or for some time, and provided a great opportunity for people to meet up before the 'summer recess'. Our sponsors were Louis Latour Agencies who served four wines perfect for a warm evening - bubbles from Burgundy, a Vermentino from Banfi (cong...