Features Archives - Circle of Wine Writers

Pioneering traditionalism in Mendoza: Gabriela Furlotti

Posted on December 13, 2019 by Amanda Barnes

To access this post, you must purchase Friend of the Circle (inc one-off joining fee), Corporate Friend of the Circle (inc one-off joining fee), Friend of the Circle (renewals) or Corporate Friend of the Circle (renewals).

Our Christmas Party – a real cracker from New Zealand!

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Andrea Warren

What a superb evening members were treated to on Monday (9th December) at the Circle Christmas Party courtesy of Chris Stroud and New Zealand Winegrowers. The Penthouse at New Zealand House was buzzing as 100+ members, guests and our many friends in the trade enjoyed 16 wines from 12 different varieties and styles, complemented with delicious canapes by Circle member Roger Jones (plus Sue and the ...

The World Atlas of Wine, 8th edition: Hugh Johnson OBE, Jancis Robinson MW

Posted on December 11, 2019December 13, 2019 by Amanda Barnes

It’s one of the most anticipated releases of the year, and certainly no disappointment. The World Atlas of Wine, now in its 8th edition since 1971, is one of the most authoritative and educational books on the market for an overview of the world's wine regions. Its scope is broad, but there's a great depth of understanding too and it’s a joy to read – in part due to the indefatigable and studio...

4 seasons in Côte Chalonnaise, Chance Encounters: Jon Wyand, Emmanuel Mère

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Amanda Barnes

Although this is predominantly a photobook, Emmanuel Mère expertly sets the scene with a 'geographical and historical background' which weaves important moments in history with geological information while painting a picture of how life in the Côte Chalonnaise passes by. The rest of the picture painting is left to photographer Jon Wyand. The photography series actually starts with people — argu...

Meet the Member: Wink Lorch

Posted on December 11, 2019December 11, 2019 by Amanda Barnes

Wink Lorch is known to many in the Circle, having served as Editor of the Circle Update from 2015 until 2017 and been a member since the early 90s, but she has also become one of the foremost writers on wines from the Jura (writing the crowd-funded Jura Wine, published in 2014). Her latest venture has been authoring Wines of the French Alps: Savoie, Bugey and beyond which was published at the end ...

Uncovering German GG gems

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Neil Fairlamb

Meet the Friend: Richard Lane

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Amanda Barnes

Richard Lane is a Friend of the Circle and writes for a medical journal by day, but is a wine enthusiast by night and became the world's first blind WSET Diploma student last year. Amanda Barnes interviews him about his experiences in studying wine without vision, as well as finding out his pet peeves about reading wine writing as a visually impaired reader. Richard also shares his favourite wines...

Sonoma style and substance

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Neil Fairlamb

The real meaning of blind tasting

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Richard Lane

Richard Lane describes what it's like to be the WSET's first blind student. A version of this article was originally published at JancisRobinson.com in July 2019. My first semester of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust's Diploma is over, and it’s time to draw breath, while continuing to educate my palate. Being blind, unable to read wine labels, struggling (sometimes) to read articles and book...

Sherry superb yet still slumbering

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Jancis Robinson MW