Author Archives for Colin

Tasting one hundred rosés

  • Posted by Colin
  • May 29, 2007

OK, I’ll admit it from the start I really didn’t taste 100 rosés for Great Grape Day but I did have the opportunity.
This week is the London International Wine & Spirit Fair and there is a special stand dedicated to the top 100 rosés as judged by a group of distinguished wine trade people. The […]

Tasting and comparing wine

  • Posted by Colin
  • May 17, 2007

I’ve been lucky that through my work supporting the International Wine Challenge, I’ve been able to taste a huge number of wines. This has really helped my WSET Diploma studying. And with my exam on fortified wines only 4 weeks away I need all the help I can get.
I managed to taste a range of […]

International Wine Challenge

  • Posted by Colin
  • May 8, 2007

I have just finished 7 weeks working on the International Wine Challenge, the biggest international blind tasting wine competition in the world. Over 9000 wines from across the world have been rigorously judged and the winners will be announced during the London International Wine and Spirits Fair from the 22nd to 24th May.
I have been […]

Do I like Semillon?

  • Posted by Colin
  • April 24, 2007

I’ve never really liked Semillon.
I’m afraid I associate it, probably unfairly, with white Bordeaux blends which I just don’t appreciate. I’ll drink anything but presented with a white Bordeaux I’ll usually say “no thanks”.
I bought a decent one from a reputable wine merchant recently to rid myself of my bias but nothing has changed since […]

The WSET Diploma and fortifieds

  • Posted by Colin
  • April 21, 2007

Relief! I’ve passed the first of the exams for my WSET Diploma, this being the one on wine production.
I was concerned that I hadn’t read widely enough although I had put in enough hours, 80 compared to the WSET guidance of 60. There were some sections of the Oxford Companion especially on rootstocks and diseases […]

Gaining a professional qualification in wine and spirits

  • Posted by Colin
  • April 9, 2007

At the start of 2007 I decided to enroll on the WSET Diploma program. For those not familiar with the WSET, it is The Wine and Spirit Education Trust and is the “leading global organisation providing a range of sought-after qualifications for both professionals and enthusiastic amateurs”. The Diploma is their flagship qualification.
Over the next […]

Colin

I was given my first book about wine when I was around 25. Maybe it was to encourage me to go and buy some wine rather than make it from one of the home winemaking kits readily available in the 70's. However it sparked a lifelong interest in the subject for me. I now find myself almost 3 decades later sitting the WSET Diploma, 2 years of reading and tasting. I love it. It teaches me about history, geography, botany, chemistry, geology, culture and of course exposes my smell and taste senses to some wonderful experiences. I've also met some interesting people and enjoyed the common language of wine and food between like minded people.