Books & Reviews Archives - Circle of Wine Writers

The good, the bad and the ugly: Wine book publishing

Posted on February 8, 2021February 9, 2021 by Simon J Woolf

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The story of English wine moves on…

Posted on February 6, 2021February 9, 2021 by Amanda Barnes

Not UK wine, not English wine but Sussex wine – that's the uniquely specific subject of the latest book to focus on a fine modern product that now puts Britain firmly among the world's serious wine nations. Sussex by the Glass: Wines, vines and two pioneering families, by Circle member Liz Sagues, will be published on March 8. The choice of International Women's Day for the launch is deliberate...

Un coup de pied dans la derrière: Steven Spurrier’s famed Judgement of Paris

Posted on February 6, 2021 by Steven Spurrier

Atlantic wines & The wines of Portugal

Posted on February 6, 2021February 9, 2021 by Richard Mayson

Memoirs of a Freeloader: Stephen Brook’s vinous highlights

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Stephen Brook

Having written approaching 40 books on wine, Stephen Brook, also a contributing editor at Decanter, now turns his attention to recounting his own vast and varied experiences in relation to the vine in his book titled Memoirs of a Freeloader. This vinous autobiography charts his transition to wine writing from being a commissioning editor, and cleverly captures what really goes on behind the scenes...

A study of Sekt & The Wines of Germany

Posted on February 3, 2021February 9, 2021 by Anne Krebielh MW

Stephen Brook publishes his memoirs ‘Memoirs of a freeloader’

Posted on November 10, 2020 by Amanda Barnes

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...

Book review: Strong, Sweet & Dry by Becky Sue Epstein

Posted on June 8, 2020June 8, 2020 by Amanda Barnes

Becky Sue Epstein explores the styles and stories of Vermouth, Port, Sherry, Madeira and Marsala in her latest book, Strong, Sweet & Dry, as Amanda Barnes discovers while reading and reviewing her book during lockdown. Quarantini hour has been the highlight of most of my lockdown days and while I am a big drinker of martini, I have never really given much thought to the Vermouth that ...

Review: Gerard Basset, Tasting Victory

Posted on April 3, 2020April 4, 2020 by Amanda Barnes

Unlike many members, I never had the fortune to know Gerard. I did, however, know of Gerard. It seems there are few people in the wine world who have inspired so many others and made them all feel so welcome. Without exception, when his name has come up in conversation – no matter whether that conversation has been in England, France or even Chile – someone has told me about how delightful Gerard ...

Book Review: The Book of St John

Posted on March 11, 2020March 14, 2020 by Amanda Barnes

Many members will be well-aware of Circle Member Trevor Gulliver and his partner Fergus Henderson's popular St John restaurant in London, where offal and the humble pig took the centre stage, and the wine selection came a close second. Earlier this year, they released their book, The Book of St John, which reflects their 'nose-to-tail' ethos of holistic eating (using every part of the animal) and ...