Circle of Wine Writers

WINE GB National Trade & Press Tasting
2025-09-08
Please contact Angelina Howe at WINE GB for more details.

Achaval Ferrer’s Fincas Tasting
2025-09-11 10:30 - 12:00 (Europe/London) | Quo Vadis, Leoni Room, 26-29 Dean Street, London, W1D 3LL
You are invited to an exclusive tasting of the latest vintage of Achaval Ferrer’s Fincas hosted by winemaker Gustavo Rearte in September. As well as the latest 2021 vintage release, this occasion will offer an exclusive opportunity to taste the newest, fourth Finca – Finca Nazarenas – first planted in 1923. It is unlikely that another finca will be added to the collection for the next few decades so this is very much a special moment not to be missed. In addition, to mark the occasion, Gustavo will be opening back vintages to share the glorious ageing potential of these show-stopping wines made from old vines.
RSVP to astrid@spritzmarketing.co.uk

Let's talk about... Challenges in France, with Olivier Humbrecht MW, Fabien Moreau and Gavin Quinney
2025-09-16 17:00 - 18:00
This year is proving hugely challenging for wine world wide – and nowhere more so than in France. Join this important webinar to hear expert views on the issues that are currently facing vignerons in three of the country’s major wine regions.
Our distinguished speakers will cover such topics as climate change opportunities and challenges, low yields, Bordeaux’s perfect storm, frost and disease, how to interest younger generations in drinking wine, supply and demand, and making vineyards sustainable. Will they, perhaps, also bring some good news?
Olivier Humbrecht, agronomist and oenologist, passed the MW in 1989, the first Frenchman to do so, while working at Sopexa London. That year he joined the family-owned Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, a legendary name in Alsace. Olivier has arguably overseen the most notable improvements in the 40-hectare domaine’s history, including initiating biodynamic practices. zindhumbrecht.fr
Fabien Moreau is the sixth generation of his family to make wines, producing his first vintage as director of Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils in 2001 after his return to Chablis from New Zealand. In 2013 the estate gained organic accreditation, as part of Fabien’s continuing efforts to increase quality and typicity. domainechristianmoreau.com
Gavin Quinney, owner with his wife Angela of Château Bauduc in Entre Deux Mers, publishes detailed Bordeaux vintage reports on Jancis Robinson’s site, Liv-ex and his own website, and tastes all the top wines each spring for his en primeur report in Harpers Wine & Spirit. Bauduc wines are sold primarily in the UK, Switzerland and Ireland. bauduc.com
To join this Zoom seminar, please register now or at any time before 5pm BST on September 16th. The session, including Q&As, will last for approximately one hour. To register, follow the links below. Guests will be very welcome, but please let Andrea know their names.
Register here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/SHdUPg85Rza1O2cfKXQKbQ
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

Amorim Family Estates Masterclass
2025-09-18 10:30 - 12:00 | 67, Pall Mall, St James’s Room, London, SW1Y 5ES
In September, Luisa Amorim – CEO of Amorim Family Estates – will be in London to showcase wines from across the estates’ portfolio. Her masterclass on wines from the Douro, Dao and Alentejo will feature wines from the family’s Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Taboadella and Herdade Aldeia de Cima estates.
RSVP to gemma@spritzmarketing.co.uk

Let's talk about... Through the looking glass: perceptual individualism and rethinking wine and food, with Tim Hanni MW
2025-10-07 17:00 - 18:00
A looking glass symbolises introspection and self-awareness. This session introduces how every individual’s sensory world is unique, why wine traditions and food-pairing ‘rules’ deserve rethinking, and how embracing perceptual diversity can reshape the way we talk about and enjoy wine.
Tim will provide an update on his work in perceptual sciences, and stress the importance of understanding that every person’s sensory world is unique. He’ll look at how personal opinion, sensory sensitivity and experiences challenge long-held assumptions in wine education, marketing and wine-and-food pairing. The session will also outline a need to update our thinking about wine history and traditions, and to replace the current approach to wine, and wine with food, with a more inclusive framework that respects individual perceptual perspectives.
Tim Hanni MW is a professionally trained chef, gastronomy fanatic, consumer researcher and consultant in wine business and sensory sciences. Widely known for critically re-thinking conventional wisdom, he has been studying wine and gastronomy for nearly 60 years and spent more than 35 years researching sensory perception and its implications for wine education, marketing and hospitality. Tim is the author of Why You Like the Wines You Like and a leading advocate for making wine culture more inclusive and consumer-centered.
To join this Zoom seminar, please register now or at any time before 5pm BST on October 7th. The session, including Q&As, will last for approximately one hour. To register, follow the links below. Guests will be very welcome, but please let Andrea know their names.
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Ohpubdq4SzSXpAStSIzsBw
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

Sustainability in Drinks 2025
2025-10-21 10:00 - 20:30 | St Mary’s Church, York Street, Marylebone, London, W1H 1PQ
This year’s SID (Sustainability in Drinks) brings together some of the most inspiring voices in sustainability — including Professor Paul Behrens, Jancis Robinson OBE MW, and Judith Batchelar OBE — for a day packed with practical ideas, honest conversations and opportunities to connect as well as the opportunity to discover some of the best sustainable products on the market.
– Join thought-provoking talks on certification, retail & distribution, and communicating sustainability
– Explore interactive workshops in four themed zones: Land Health, Carbon Management, Sustainable Society, and Packaging
– Take part in The Big Sustainability Debate, introduced by Jancis Robinson OBE MW
– End the day with a Keynote from Professor Paul Behrens, sponsored by CarbonCloud, followed by drinks and networking
For more details about the event and to secure your place please follow the link here: https://sustainabilityindrinks.com/

Let's talk about... The emergence of English wine: successes and challenges, with Sam Linter
2025-10-21 17:00 - 18:00
We’re delighted to welcome Sam Linter, a stellar figure in the UK’s wine industry, to present October’s second online webinar. She will discuss the current position of an emerging wine industry, exploring its related success and issues facing it. Beyond that, Sam, who is Director of Wine at England’s world-respected Plumpton College, will look at solutions the industry is exploring, specifically research with sensors and data collection in vineyards.
Sam Linter has more than 30 years of experience in the English wine industry. Formerly managing director and head winemaker at Bolney Wine Estate, established by her parents in the early 1970s, she transformed the family business from a little-known vineyard into one of the UK’s top producers, achieving multiple national and international awards along the way.
A pioneer in English wine, Sam has played a key role in shaping the industry through her leadership roles, including chair and director of WineGB, and as a founding member of Sustainable Wines of Great Britain. Passionate about Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and sparkling wines, she has always championed quality, sustainability and innovation.
In 2023, she joined Plumpton College as Director of Wine, where she is dedicated to advancing education and training to support the continued growth of the industry.
To join this Zoom seminar, please register now or at any time before 5pm BST on October 21st. 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
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

Upcoming Vintage Roots Trade & Press Tasting in London
2025-11-03 11:00 - 17:00 | 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.

CWW Let's talk about... Piemonte’s white wines: an accelerating trend, with David Way
2026-01-20 17:00 - 18:00
The 2026 season of Let’s talk about… continues with one of the Circle’s members, Italian expert David Way, discussing an aspect of Piemonte unfamiliar to many but increasingly necessary to understand.
Piemonte is chiefly famous for its world-class red wines. But the last 15 years have seen a notable rise in the plantings of white grape varieties, mainly native to the region. What lies behind this development? What are the grape varieties that are leading this trend? David will provide the answers.
David specialises in the wines of Italy, publishing on his website, www.winefriend.org and more recently Decanter, where he has written on this Let’s talk about… topic. He also works as senior researcher on the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines textbooks. In 2023, he published The Wines of Piemonte (Académie du Vin Library), the first book to deal with the whole Piedmont region in the same depth as is usually reserved for Barolo and Barbaresco. His current project is to write an annual report on the wines of Northern Piemonte, first edition, March 2026.
For more information, look at #piemontewine #timorasso #collitortonesi #arneis #roeroarneis #cortese #gavi #nascetta and David’s own links @davidwaywine: Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn
To join this Zoom seminar, please register now or at any time before 5pm BST on January 20th. 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 in advance for this webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/j6h3eENSTTua0J2gfCgisg
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 (links to this and earlier sessions are in the members’ area of the website).
Helen Savage & Liz Sagues, CWW online events organisers

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
