Tributes Archives - Circle of Wine Writers

Michael Edwards: A tribute

Posted on July 30, 2025 by Amanda Barnes

Michael Edwards was a much-loved and highly respected wine writer and critic, renowned for his expertise in Champagne. He studied Etruscan antiquities at university in Italy, graduated in law from Gray's Inn in London, and spent many years as a restaurant critic before specialising in wine. In addition to his native England, Michael lived for several years in France and is best known for his two ...

Stephen Barrett: A tribute

Posted on October 16, 2024October 30, 2024 by Amanda Barnes

Stephen Barrett was a popular wine writer and educator, as well as a successful restauranteur. Well loved by many members of the wine trade, Stephen was a long-standing member of the Circle of Wine Writers and Association of Wine Educators (AWE). He passed away aged 77 in his home in Plymouth. Fellow members pay tribute. "I have fond memories of Stephen, particularly of his passion for food and...

A tribute: Nicolas Belfrage MW

Posted on October 6, 2022October 25, 2022 by Amanda Barnes

Nicolas Belfrage MW was a leading expert and pioneering specialist on the wines of Italy, working as a wine writer as well as a buyer and importer. Author of Life Beyond Lambrusco, The Finest Wines of Tuscany and Central Italy, Barolo to Valpolicella and Brunello to Zibibbo, he was also a regular contributor to publications including Decanter, The World of Fine Wine and Harpers. Born in Los Angele...

A tribute: Clive Coates MW

Posted on August 22, 2022August 26, 2022 by Amanda Barnes

Clive Coates MW was an award-winning wine writer and long-standing member of the Circle. Author of several books on the wines of France, he also published The Vine from 1984 until 2005. Before his wine writing career, Clive worked for 20 years as a professional wine merchant in the UK. When he retired, he moved to southern Burgundy. He passed away on 26th July in Lyon. . ‘Cleeve Co-atts’ wa...

Vale Terry Dunleavy MBE, JP

Posted on June 24, 2022June 28, 2022 by Amanda Barnes

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Paying tribute to Philippe Boucheron

Posted on September 9, 2021 by Neil Fairlamb

Wine writer Philippe Boucheron was a long-standing Circle member and former treasurer of the Circle and deputy chair, serving with Steven Spurrier at the time. Philippe passed away in August. Neil Fairlamb pays tribute. Philippe Boucheron, a very long-standing Circle member who served on the committee for years, has died aged 89. His real name was Nick Mendes. He joined the regular army – the 66...

Tribute to Steven Spurrier (1941 – 2021)

Posted on April 8, 2021April 14, 2021 by Amanda Barnes

Tribute: Michael Broadbent

Posted on April 2, 2020April 4, 2020 by Amanda Barnes

Michael Broadbent was one of the wine world's best-known personalities, having worked for over 60 years as an eminent author, critic and auctioneer. A fastidious note-taker, Michael began writing his wine notes in 1952 and wrote over 90,000 wine notes in his lifetime - all of which were kept in red notebooks - including many notes on historic vintages that have rarely been tasted by any other crit...

Tribute to Neville Blech

Posted on October 2, 2019October 9, 2019 by Amanda Barnes

Neville Blech passed away on 6th September 2019, aged 82, following a long battle with cancer. Neville was an active member of the Circle of Wine Writers and also served as Honorary Treasurer. A wine writer, importer and restaurateur, Neville had worked in many aspects of the trade throughout his career. His co-founder at Wine Behind the Label, David Moore, shares his tribute to Neville, f...

Tribute to Lena Inger

Posted on April 7, 2019April 9, 2019 by Amanda Barnes

Lena Inger was a longstanding Circle member and an influential educator for over three decades. With her long-time partner, Sandy Leckie, and fellow Circle member Vivienne Franks, she managed one of the most important wine schools in the country, The Wine Education Service Limited. Fellow members pay tribute to Lena: "So many people who enjoy wine will be sad to hear of Lena’s death. ...