News

Welcome back to returning member Julia Kostadinova. Julia first joined The Circle of Wine Writers in 2013, and we are delighted to welcome her back in 2024. She lives in Sofia, Bulgaria, and is responsible for the organisation of DiVino Taste and Discover Vino, one of the biggest wine shows in the country, as well as the annual DiVino Top50 wine ranking. She is also co-host of the TV and YouTub...

Adam Montefiore, a British Israeli situated in Israel, has been awarded The Terravino Lifetime Achievement Award — arguably the most prestigious award an individual can receive in the Israeli wine trade. Born in London, brought up in England, he is now living in Israel. His career started in hotels and restaurant on-trade before he moved to winery marketing and exports. Today Adam is a wine wri...

Janet Z. Wang's book Chinese Renaissance: A Wine Lover’s Companion was first published in January 2019 by Ebury Press, Penguin Randomhouse, and has this month been followed with its second reprint. This second edition contains some minor updates, including a summarisation and explanation of the decline in wine production and consumption in China in recent years, a deeper delve into the unique l...

Marc Millon's book Italy in a Wineglass - the taste of history is set to be published by Hurst (UK) on April 18 and by Melville House (USA/Canada) May 21st. From the ancient Greeks to the Medici, and from fascism to feminism, writer and wine expert Marc Millon reveals how the story of Italy has always been entwined with that of wine. Through the millennia, it has been a celebratory libation at ...

Dena Roché looks at the world of wine through the lens of travel. She brings wine alive by telling the stories of a region, its wines and the vintners that craft them in her roles as a wine writer and wine educator. She has traveled to over 35 wine regions and has her Level One Sommelier. Dena was a 2024 Fellow of the Wine Writers’ Symposium. Her work is published in print and online interna...

Henna Bakshi is an experienced food and wine journalist, producer, and on-air talent, with a decade of experience at CNN. She holds a Level 3 certification through the internationally renowned Wine and Spirits Education Trust. Henna's work appears in Wine Enthusiast, Decanter, Food & Wine Magazine, Eater, VinePair, Full Pour, and more. As a food and wine writer, Henna has hosted her own coo...

Congratulations to Vice President of the Circle of Wine Writers, Oz Clarke, who has been officially awarded the Officier de l’Ordre du Merite Agricole medal at the French Embassy in London. In Oz’s own words, "It was a lovely day and I felt very proud and pleased". Apparently, ultra-French canapes and Mumm champagne were served. A huge congratulations to Oz Clarke for this very well-deserved aw...

Sarah Jane Evans MW has been awarded The Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic, a Spanish civil order of honour granted to persons and institutions in recognition of extraordinary services to Spain or the promotion of international relations and cooperation with other nations. “It is a pleasure to bestow the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Isabel la Católica to Sarah Jane Evans," commented Ambassa...

Kevin Day is a wine writer, educator, professional photographer & the Editor in Chief of the wine publication Opening a Bottle which he established in 2014. He is based in Denver and an Italian and French Wine Scholar, having passed both courses with highest honours. In 2019 he was nominated for the Louis Roederer Wine Writers’ Award for ‘Emerging Wine Writer of the Year’.

Jason Millar is an independent wine writer, consultant, tasting presenter and judge, specialising in the wines of Italy and South Africa. He has worked in publishing and then as buying director for independent merchant Theatre of Wine. Whilst completing his WSET Diploma, Jason took home three scholarships, including the Vintners Cup. He now writes a regular column for Drinks Retailing among ...