Circle of Wine Writers

Upcoming Vintage Roots Trade & Press Tasting in London
2025-11-03 11:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | The Punch Bowl, 41 Farm Street, London, W1J 5RR
Don’t miss this chance to taste a range of wines from our Festive Season offers, including exciting new wines, a lineup of trusted favourites and more! The perfect opportunity to reconnect, share our winter promotions and raise a glass together before the festive season kicks in.
No registration is required, though we’d appreciate it if you could confirm your attendance by emailing chris@vintageroots.co.uk

Let's talk about... Democratising fine wine and Regenics, with Steve Smith MW
2025-11-04 17:00 - 18:00
Our next Let’s talk about… session promises to be highly stimulating. Steve Smith MW, one of the world’s most-decorated wine people, expands the title of his presentation to how these two ideas could be the catalyst for reimagining the future for wine. He adds: “The wine world is seriously challenged right now, unusually with all sectors being impacted one way or the other. It seems to me that wine might have lost its way where it is trying to be everything to everybody instead of focusing on where we can win.”
Steve will outline some of the reasons behind the challenges, but more importantly will suggest areas where there should be optimism. Out with snobbism, he will urge, in with celebration of new world fine wines, drink a great wine over days rather than hours, celebrate what makes wine special and its true deliciousness, tell its special stories.
And what is regenics? New approaches beyond the box-ticking of organic growing or natural wine making “to embrace everything that is good about nature, people, science and ambition for a better future”.
Steve Smith MW has spent his career in the New Zealand wine industry as a researcher, viticulturist, leader and creator of entreprenuerial wine businesses such as Craggy Range and Smith & Sheth. He has twice been named in lists of the most influential people in the wine world. In 1996 he was the first viticulturist in the world to become an MW. He has been inducted as a Fellow of New Zealand Winegrowers and into the Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Hall of Fame, is a former chancellor of Lincoln University and been involved in a number of industry governance roles and wider initiatives.
At the end of the day his happy place is among the great vineyards and with the wines he has created over the last 30 years, and creating innovative ways to tell their story.
To join this Zoom seminar, please register now or at any time before 5pm GMT on November 4th. The session, including Q&As, will last for approximately one hour. To register, follow the link below. Guests will be very welcome, but please let Andrea know their names.
Register here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/A2atqrArQ7yAc4RWKpSG-w
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. We look forward to seeing you then.
If you can’t attend the live session, there will be a recording available to watch afterwards on the Circle’s YouTube channel (find links to this and earlier sessions in the members’ area of the website).
Michèle Shah & Liz Sagues, CWW online events organisers

CWW Let's talk about... The science of soil and how it influences our wine, with Sunny Hodge
2025-11-18 17:00 - 18:00
The next Let’s talk about… session digs deep into dirt… Circle member Sunny Hodge, whose book The Cynic’s Guide to Wine has prompted much discussion since its publication earlier this year, will talk soil science. He’ll discuss how vines interact with soil and the resulting direct influence on wine.
Sunny will cover where this aspect of terroir plays a part in vine development and wine style, and how farming methods directly influence matters of soil. Key topics will include the processes that allow vines to draw up soil nutrients, different types of rock and how we articulate ourselves around matters of soil.
Sunny graduated in mechanical engineering with a keen eye for detail, love of science and hospitality. Finding the ‘why’ behind food and wine has always fascinated him and he is now spearheading research in new ways of looking at wine education based on science and functionality.
The Cynic’s Guide to Wine delves into the science behind wine from soil upwards into perception of taste and flavour, to dispel wine myths and with the aim of changing the way everyone thinks and talks about wine.
Sunny (@sunnyhodgewine) is a commentator, writer, International wine judge and a mentor for the Drinklusive drink diversity initiative; he delivers extracurricular tastings and lectures for the WSET. Also, he is the founder and owner of two award-winning wine bars in London associated with challenging the status quo of wine, integrating science and education in their service model.
To join this Zoom seminar, please register now or at any time before 5pm BST on November 18th. The session, including Q&As, will last for approximately one hour. To register, follow the link below. Guests will be very welcome, but please let Andrea know their names.
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/BWUz-v1CTf2DlYHFKoNXkQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. We look forward to seeing you then.
If you can’t attend the live session, there will be a recording available to watch afterwards on the Circle’s YouTube channel (find links to this and earlier sessions in the members’ area of the website).
Michèle Shah & Liz Sagues, CWW online events organisers

Leonardslee Wine Estate - Festive Wine & Dine
2025-11-27 18:30 - 22:30 | Leonardslee Wine Estate
A Sparkling Celebration: Festive Wine & Dine Awaits
Embrace the festive season with an evening of fine wines and exceptional food.
Discover the artistry behind every bottle as they share insight into their vineyards – Leonardslee Family Vineyards nestled in the rolling hills of Sussex and Benguela Cove, South Africa upon the sun-kissed slopes of Walker Bay.
£67 per person
What to Expect
Welcome Bubbles & Canapés
Begin with a glass of Leonardslee sparkling wine, perfectly complemented by delicately crafted canapés.
Four-Course Gourmet Menu
Delight in a four-course menu, with each dish perfectly paired to showcase the exceptional wines of Leonardslee Family Vineyards and Benguela Cove.
Book: https://leonardsleefamilyvineyards.com/our-events

CWW festive party - save the date
2025-12-09 18:30 - 20:30 | London Cru, 21-27 Seagrave Road, London, SW6 1RP
We are heading to London Cru again this year for more festive fun. Please put the date in your diary, more details to follow.

Borsa Vini Italiani: Italian wine trade tasting
2026-01-21 10:30 - 18:00 | IET LONDON: SAVOY PLACE, 2 Savoy Place, London, WC2R 0BL
The Italian Trade Agency is spotlighting Italian wines in the UK with a major tasting event featuring producers from across Italy.
Masterclass led by Peter McCombie MW: 2pm to 3pm
“The Lightness Revolution: Italian Reds Redefined”
From heavy oak to lifted perfume — exploring how Italian reds have become more transparent, food-friendly, and globally relevant.
Register here:

Australia and New Zealand Trade Tasting 2026 - London
2026-01-27 10:00 - 17:00 | Lindley Hall, Royal Horticultural Halls, Elverton Street, London, SW1P 2QW
Explore Australia and New Zealand’s distinctive terroirs, vibrant winemaking communities and thrilling wines in this collaboration between Wine Australia and New Zealand Winegrowers.
The Aussies and Kiwis are good mates with lots in common. Fine wine, great food, stunning scenery, the cool Southern Ocean and also their cool Antipodean attitude. Don’t miss this joint event to find out more!
Across the three cities (London, Edinburgh and Dublin), there will be more than 1,000 wines from 200 wineries spanning 50 regions in Australia and New Zealand. This is your chance to discover new wines, revisit the classics, meet the makers, and catch up with importers.
Taste the wines that have put Australia and New Zealand in the spotlight and discover exciting new styles that are coming out of the two countries today. Uncover regional and stylistic differences, find out about winemaking techniques and innovative spirit, and look into the future of Australian and New Zealand wine.
In London, there will be a ‘Sommelier Selections’ feature table with 40 Australian and New Zealand wines that sommeliers have nominated. Selected by some of the UK’s leading sommeliers, these are the Australian and New Zealand wines that most excite them – wines that have ignited a love for the region or with special significance.
The tasting booklets and a list of visiting winemakers and winery owners will be added to the website in early January.
Register here
Contact: uk@wineaustralia.com sarahs@nzwine.com

Australia and New Zealand Trade Tasting 2026 - Edinburgh
2026-01-29 11:00 - 17:00 | Sheraton Grand Hotel, 1 Festival Square, Edinburgh, EH3 9SR

Australia and New Zealand Trade Tasting 2026 - Dublin
2026-02-03 12:00 - 17:00 | The Alex Hotel, 41 - 47 Fenian Street, Dublin
Explore Australia and New Zealand’s distinctive terroirs, vibrant winemaking communities and thrilling wines in this collaboration between Wine Australia and New Zealand Winegrowers.
The Aussies and Kiwis are good mates with lots in common. Fine wine, great food, stunning scenery, the cool Southern Ocean and also their cool Antipodean attitude. Don’t miss this joint event to find out more!
Across the three cities (London, Edinburgh and Dublin), there will be more than 1,000 wines from 200 wineries spanning 50 regions in Australia and New Zealand. This is your chance to discover new wines, revisit the classics, meet the makers, and catch up with importers.
Taste the wines that have put Australia and New Zealand in the spotlight and discover exciting new styles that are coming out of the two countries today. Uncover regional and stylistic differences, find out about winemaking techniques and innovative spirit, and look into the future of Australian and New Zealand wine.
In London, there will be a ‘Sommelier Selections’ feature table with 40 Australian and New Zealand wines that sommeliers have nominated. Selected by some of the UK’s leading sommeliers, these are the Australian and New Zealand wines that most excite them – wines that have ignited a love for the region or with special significance.
The tasting booklets and a list of visiting winemakers and winery owners will be added to the website in early January.
Email jean@jeansmullen.com to attend
Contact: uk@wineaustralia.com sarahs@nzwine.com
