1. What is your wine mission?
To demystify wine in order to help wine consumers and wine trade people feel more confident about the subject.
2. Next big thing in wine?
Really well-made skin fermented (Orange) wine, Eastern Med…Cyprus naturally, land ess well-known indigenous grape varieties. There, that’s three next big things
3. Your ‘go to’ glass after a hard day?
Mosel Riesling
4. Music paradise?
Mid/Late 16th century choral – Tallis, 17th century masters such as Byrd & Gibbons…and most baroque chamber music
5. Preferred colour?
Both. Really!
6. Favourite film?
633 Squadron, Zulu, Zorba the Greek, Jean de Florette, The Grand Budapest Hotel…so many!
7. Fondest vintage?
1988 for Champagne
1966 for Port
1780 for Madeira
Come on, you asked!
8. Oak or stainless steel?
Amphorae
9. Best place to eat?
Bonnie Gull for seafood
The Palomar for when you want to eat with your hands and face
10. Food and wine matching purgatory?
Ha ha! I know what you mean, but generally when people take the whole process too seriously. Eat and drink what you like together. Perhaps Stilton and tannic red wine is unpleasant though
11. Guilty food and wine match?
Violet creams and Madeira. Oh yessss
12. Favourite wine writer (apart from yourself)?
Simon Field, nats!
13. Wine ‘fad’ irritation?
Aerators. Buy a flippin’ decanter
14. Most delicious cheese?
Comte, Halloumi, Delice de Bourgogne and really good English goats’ cheese. I have a problem making choices…
15. Inspiring novel?
Far From the Madding Crowd
16. Damascene wine moment?
When I first tasted Commandaria
17. Most beautiful vineyard in the world?
So many, and it depends how you feel. The most picturesque is probably Rippon by Lake Wanake in NZ. There are many, particularly in the Greek Islands
18. Ideal last sip?
Madeira please, but not quite yet
19. Next place to visit?
Greece for work
20. Best advice?
Never take advice.
Ok, do everything to excess until it’s out of your system