Meet the Member Archives - Circle of Wine Writers

Meet the Member: Kevin Day

Posted on August 28, 2024August 30, 2024 by Amanda Barnes

Kevin Day has been blogging about and photographing wine for over decade and has found a niche in writing about the wines of Italy and France via his online magazine, Opening a Bottle. In this interview, Amanda Barnes finds out why Kevin is concerned about the impact of AI on wine writing and learns about some of his favourite vinous gems from Italy, including Schioppettino and the white blend...

Meet the Member: Filippo Magnani

Posted on May 28, 2024 by Amanda Barnes

Italian member and wine communicator, Filippo Magnani reflects on 25 years of wine tourism in Tuscany in this Meet the Member interview with Amanda Barnes. Named after the Etruscan God of Wine, Fufluns, his tourism agency is a leader in the region. Inspired by the booming wine tourism industry in Napa Valley during the 1990s, Filippo Magnani recognized Italy's untapped potential and sought to ele...

Meet the Member: Sue Eames

Posted on April 29, 2024April 29, 2024 by Amanda Barnes

Based in Paris since 2001, Sue Eames has been communicating about French wine for over two decades although you will often find her judging internationally and dedicating much of her free time in helping with the Circle’s social media. Amanda Barnes interviews her about her favourite wines and regions, and discovers her tips for the perfect Kir. What’s your earliest memory of wine? It wa...

Meet the Member: Paula Redes Sidore

Posted on February 28, 2024February 28, 2024 by Paula Redes Sidore

Paula Redes Sidore is best known for her work communicating the wines of Germany although, as Amanda Barnes discovers in this interview, her journey in wine started with a few inconspicuous drops of White Zin. Paula also shares what wines and styles are enticing her at the moment, and why she decided to launch TRINK —the world's first English-language magazine focused on the ‘German-speaking wines...

Meet the Member: Alan Tardi

Posted on October 25, 2023October 26, 2023 by Amanda Barnes

James Beard Award-winning wine writer Alan Tardi shares his fascinating story of how he moved on from being a dish washer at a restaurant in New York to opening a wine school in this interview with Amanda Barnes. He explains why, despite training in French cuisine, it was Italy that blew his mind, and shares his love affair with the wine country ever since. How did you get into wine? ...

Meet the Member: Joanna Simon

Posted on September 25, 2023September 30, 2023 by Amanda Barnes

Joanna Simon is a prolific wine writer and editor, whose career includes 22 years as wine critic for The Sunday Times, authoring several wine books and serving editor of various food and drinks magazines. In our Meet the Member interview, she tells Amanda Barnes why she is surprised Riesling remains niche in the UK and talks about the irresistible appeal of photography. What is your first...

Meet the Member: Geoffrey Dean

Posted on May 18, 2023May 18, 2023 by Amanda Barnes

Geoffrey Dean has been writing about cricket since the late 1980s and it was on some of those cricketing adventures abroad that he fell into the world of wine. Since completing the WSET Diploma in 2011, he divides his time between wine regions and cricket tours, writing for several sports and drinks publications in the UK today. Amanda Barnes interviews him for our Meet the Member interview, while...

Meet the Member: Rose Murray Brown MW

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Amanda Barnes

Rose Murray Brown MW is one of Scotland's leading wine writers and also hosts regular wine tastings and masterclasses. In this Meet the Member interview, Amanda Barnes learns how Italy was her first love in wine but how it was a rum tasting with sailors and sherry tasting with vicars that made a couple of her most memorable tastings. How did you first get into wine? I first discovere...

Meet the Member: Paul White

Posted on February 26, 2023 by Paul White

Author and wine writer Paul White has lived in several different corners of the world, from Oregon to New Zealand, and visited over 90 wine regions. In this interview he looks back on memorable wine experiences around the globe, as well as musing on the world of clay amphora in winemaking. Tell us about your first experiences in wine? I was born in a post-prohibition Des Moines, wher...

Meet the Member: Ellen Wallace

Posted on November 27, 2022November 27, 2022 by Amanda Barnes

Ellen Wallace is a sought-after specialist in Swiss wine and author of the newly-released book, Wine Hiking Switzerland. In this Meet the Member interview, Amanda Barnes learns why Mateus brings back sentimental and snowy memories of her childhood, as well as why cycling across China led her to Switzerland. What’s your earliest memory in wine? I grew up in Iowa, in the US, and alth...