One of the requirements for becoming a Master of Wine is an original and rigorous research paper of between 6,000 and 10,000 words. The words must be placed in sentences,...
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Wine’s tipping point
To thine own self be true. Polonius’ advice to his son Laertes in Hamlet is arguably easier to give than to follow. Most of us make regular compromises in our...
Read MoreA preview of the Cape Winemakers’ Guild auction
The Cape Winemakers Guild was created in 1982 by a group of winemakers who set out to “improve the quality and standing of South African wines”, arguably no easy thing...
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What would independence mean for Catalan wine?
If you’ve watched the news lately or just even flipped through the in-flight magazine on a European budget airline, you probably know about the Autonomous Region of Catalonia’s drive to...
Read MoreVin de France: the flexible future?
To the French it was le gros rouge qui tache. We Brits were less interested in its saturated colour, but equally dismissive in our terminology, referring to it as plonk....
Read MoreThe Grande Dame of Pauillac
As you’d expect of a former actress, liked an audience. When Château Mouton-Rothschild hosted the Fête de la Fleur celebration at Vinexpo in June 2003, after guests had enjoyed liberal...
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Split infinity
What do you feel like drinking tonight? Red or white? Still or sparkling? Dry or sweet? With an endless number of wines in countless styles to choose from, it’s necessary...
Read MoreHow to become a successful sommelier
Having the letters MS after your name doesn’t mean you’re a sommelier. A sommelier works in a restaurant. From the several dozen I’ve met, judging by their occupations, I was...
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Don’t forget your corkscrew
There’s a point at which you can tell that a passing interest in wine has turned into something more involved. You don’t notice it at the time; it’s not a...
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First Growth claret: an affordable luxury?
In 2012 I won a bottle of Mouton Rothschild 1996 in a writing competition. When we moved house last year I didn’t trust the movers with it so I wrapped...
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What’s the future for Chinese wine?
First time visitors to Beijing are often struck by the pollution that seems to blanket the city on a daily basis, reducing visibility and filling lungs with undesirable gunk. It’s...
Read MoreHeavy bottles
“Jancis [Robinson] hates heavy wine bottles, as I do. Why do winemakers use them?” This recent Facebook comment – by one of the founders of a smart London wine retailer...
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