Circle of Wine Writers

What a huge pleasure to share the news that talented Circle of Wine Writers member Sara Underdown has made the shortlist for the IWSC - Club Oenologique ‘Emerging Talent in Wine Communications Trophy’. The judges whittled down a strong list of 36 candidates in this category to just four, so it is a fantastic achievement. Sara, founder of Vine & Bubble, stood out with an innovative approach to wine education and consumer connection.

Do contact Sue Eames DipWSET if you would like to join this next Let’s Talk about judging with Charles Metcalfe, Elizabeth Gabay MW, Sue Eames DipWSET and Darrel Joseph on Tuesday 1st April at 5pm BST.

Do check out the latest article written by Circle of Wine Writers Chair Meg Maker for our in-house magazine The Circular.

What a huge pleasure to share this great photo taken in Bestheim of the Circle of Wine Writers members who are on the wonderful Association of Wine Educators trip to Alsace. Committee members Sue Eames DipWSET (responsible for social media) and Helen Savage (membership secretary), and talented members Heather Dougherty, Abbie Bennington, Christos Ioannou, Trevor Sharot and Tim Andrews. Comité interprofessionnel des Vins d'Alsace Foulques Aulagnon

Thrilled to announce that the next Circle of Wine Writers Let’s Talk about … Wine judging - practice and purpose, with Charles Metcalfe, Sue Eames DipWSET, Elizabeth Gabay MW and Darrel Joseph will take place on Tuesday 1st April at 5pm BST. Do contact Sue Eames DipWSET with your e-mail if you would like to join us. Our distinguished panel of Circle of Wine Writers members, led by International Wine Challenge co-founder Charles Metcalfe, will bring their experience of judging at different competitions in the UK, Europe and beyond as they discuss a subject that sparks diverse reactions throughout the wine world. It promises to be both a serious and fun session as they share insights and anecdotes. Charles Metcalfe has presented many TV food & wine programmes, and for 12 years was one of the Richard-and-Judy team on ITV’s This Morning. A prolific wine writer, he is the author of several books with his wife Kathryn McWhirter, including on the wines of Portugal where they live. Among education activity he teaches how to taste and judge wine at the University of Applied Sciences in Krems, Austria. Sue Eames DipWSET is British, based in Paris and judges wine and spirits extensively in Europe, including Tastevinage, London Tasting Awards, Le Mondial des Vins Blancs Strasbourg, Concours Général Agricole and Concours International de Lyon - World's Best Products Competition. She is responsible for social media on the Circle of Wine Writers committee, a member of the Association of Wine Educators, and as well as judging, works as a freelance educator and communicator. With a career spanning 40 years in wine, much of it focusing on southern France, Italy and central and eastern Europe, Elizabeth Gabay MW has judged in competitions since the late 1980s, starting with early Wine magazine and Decanter events in rooms in obscure areas of London, moving on to many more throughout Europe. Based in France since 2002, she is renowned as a specialist in rose. Based in Vienna, Darrel Joseph is a wine writer, judge and lecturer specialising in central and eastern Europe and the Caucasus. Since 1995, he has contributed to numerous publications in the UK and USA and conducted masterclasses and wine tastings internationally. He has been a regional panel chair and judge in the Decanter World Wine Awards as well as judging in other competitions in Europe and Asia. Photo credit Sue Eames: Steven Morris

The Circle of Wine Writers is delighted to share the news that it has made its annual donation to The Drinks Trust who do such good work supporting the Drinks & Hospitality industry in the UK. Meg Maker Vivienne Franks Robin Goldsmith Sue Eames DipWSET Wink Lorch Becky Sue Epstein Christopher "Billy" Abbott Charles Metcalfe

Delighted to share the news that the Circle of Wine Writers has made a donation to the Gérard Basset Foundation who do such wonderful work in funding educational and professional programmes focussed on supporting diversity, equity & inclusion in wine, spirits and hospitality. Nina Basset FIH Romané Basset Christian Holthausen Meg Maker Vivienne Franks Robin Goldsmith Sue Eames DipWSET Wink Lorch Becky Sue Epstein Helen Savage Christopher "Billy" Abbott Charles Metcalfe

A pleasure to share this great photo of Circle of Wine Writers members Sue Eames DipWSET (committee member responsible for social media), Toshio Ueno DipWSET and Markus Hungerbühler DipWSET catching up after judging spirits at Concours International de Lyon - World's Best Products Competition.

Really delighted to welcome new member Sunny Hodge to the Circle of Wine Writers. Sunny is a commentator and wine writer for the likes of Waitrose & Partners Food Magazine, Evening Standard, The Times, The Guardian, FoodFM Radio, Monocle and ITV Love Your Weekend. His book ‘The Cynic’s Guide to Wine’ delves into the science behind wine from soil upwards into our perception of taste and flavour to dispel wine myths using science. He is an international wine judge for the IWSC - Club Oenologique and was recently shortlisted for the London Wine Fair Buyer’s Awards 2025 for both ‘On Trade Multiple Venue Wine Buyer’ and ‘Sustainable Wine Buyer of the Year’. Sunny is the sole founder of Diogenes The Dog and aspen & meursault, two multi-award-winning wine bars associated with challenging the status quo of wine. He also operates Diogenes The Dog Trade, s wholesaler for his wine imports, and is in the process of developing a wine qualification, The Science of Wine Course. Meg Maker Vivienne Franks Robin Goldsmith Sue Eames DipWSET Wink Lorch Becky Sue Epstein Helen Savage Christopher "Billy" Abbott Charles Metcalfe

What a huge pleasure to announce that long-term Circle of Wine Writers member Helen Savage has agreed to be co-opted as a volunteer member of the Circle of Wine Writers committee, taking on the responsibility of Membership Secretary. Helen is a highly experienced wine educator, who for twenty five years wrote a werkly wine column in The Journal (the daily newspaper of Northeast England). A member of The Association of Wine Educators, and now based in France, she continues to offer wine courses and study tours. Helen recently resurrected her blog https://helensavage.com/ and is planning a new wine podcast. She has a special interest in the wines of France and the future of organic and biodynamic viticulture. Meg Maker Vivienne Franks Robin Goldsmith Sue Eames DipWSET Wink Lorch Becky Sue Epstein Helen Savage Christopher "Billy" Abbott Charles Metcalfe