The Gran Canaria wine challenge

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What’s in a label and the EU’s new laws

Lawyer cum sommelier Dominic Buckwell gets inspiration from the Institute of Masters of Wine webinar on Labelling rules and transparency, detailing a complex past and giving the lowdown on proposed new and potentially game-changing legislation. Laws ensuring adequate packaging and labels for food and drink to protect consumers have existed since time immemorial. Weights and measures rules date fr...
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Exploring Quinta da Boavista and the old vines of Douro with Carla Tiago

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Meet the Friend: Tanya Schmitt, Croatia Unpacked

Tanya Schmitt is keen for the world to know the beautiful wines and destinations of Croatia through her company Croatia Unpacked. Amanda Barnes interviews her about how she got into the wine world, why she thinks Istria is a hidden gem (especially in Autumn and truffle season) and how Grk has finally reached the shores of Ontario, Canada.   What sparked your interest in wine?  I’ve always enjoy...
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A dearth of diversity

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Let’s taste… Cali Cab

California Cabernet
With the wines in her glass and the winemakers live on her laptop, Amanda Barnes is virtually transported to California in the inaugural session of the Circle’s new series of wet webinars. Kicking off The Circle’s first ‘Let’s Taste…’ talk series last month, a trio of California vintners took the hot seat, sharing their Cabernet Sauvignon blends last month. As the most planted and most revered va...
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Meet the Member: Stephen Skelton MW

Stephen Skelton MW interview for Circle of Wine writers
Stephen Skelton MW is one of the best-known authors of viticulture with his renowned and best-selling book, Viticulture. However, his knowledge and love of wine far surpass the vineyard, as Amanda Barnes finds out in this interview, in which Stephen shares his insights into making English wine, vineyard dogs and Japanese Ladybugs. You had an interesting route into the wine industry as an English...
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Meet the Friend: Dawn Davies MW, The Whisky Exchange

Dawn Davies MW The Whisky Exchange interview for Circle of Wine Writers
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Foot trodden wine and talhas in Alentejo: Simon J Woolf and Ryan Opaz kickstart their new book

Exploring the foot trodden and handmade wines of Portugal, Simon J Woolf and Ryan Opaz's new book, Foot Trodden, is being funded and brought to life through a Kickstarter campaign which is live now. In this extract, Simon explores the wines of the Alentejo region in southern Portugal, and, in particular, those that are made in talha clay pots.   The best way to understand Alentejo’s stron...
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