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Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · 4d

A fantastic portrait of life in the wine trade courtesy of David Williams in this week's Observer.
Hats off to him for the humour, honesty and realism he brings to this 25-year overview of the ups and downs involved…

observer.co.uk/style/food/a...

Days of wine and noses: the life of a critic | The Observer

Getting paid to drink all day might sound like a dream job. But what’s it really like to be a wine critic?

observer.co.uk

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Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · Sep 26

Useful advice from
@thewinesociety.bsky.social
in its 1880 list (though I'm a bit confused by the difference between 'Sweet' and 'Dessert'…)

Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · Sep 20

If you want to read some words of wisdom (hers, not mine), here is the result of an hour’s conversation with the 100-year-old wine legend May-Eliane de Lencquesaing (NB her comments on wine and health – especially resonant as the AIV confronts the UN about the ‘denormalisation’ of wine by the WHO).

WHAT I’VE LEARNED | May-Eliane de Lencquesaing at 100

May-Eliane de Lencquesaing was born in 1925 – the same year that her family added Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de...

67pallmall.com

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Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · Sep 4

Considering the legacy of Michel Rolland, the uber-consultant who purists loved to hate…

janeanson.com/michel-rolla...

Michel Rolland: the world's wine consultant - Jane Anson - Inside Bordeaux

This article is a profile of one of Bordeaux's most prolific wine consultants, Michel Rolland, known for Merlot and Pomerol

janeanson.com

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Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · Aug 28

3rd out of 24

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Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · Aug 28

I see water sommeliers are in the news again.

One of my favourite (and most widely reported) tastings when I was editing Decanter was a water tasting, spanning everything from London tap to 39p Vittel to £50-a-bottle, complete with Swarovski crystals…

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/...

Tap water beats bottles in taste test

www.telegraph.co.uk

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Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · Jul 18

Anecdotal evidence of ⬆️ perception of English Sparkling Wine:

As deputy head of a private school, my wife receives some nice gifts at term-end. This year 2 of the 4 fizz were English (Nyetimber and Gusbourne, alongside Bollinger and Billecart-Salmon). Wouldn't have happened 5 years ago…

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Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · Jul 8

Taittinger’s English fizz Domaine Evremond served at the Royal Banquet in honour of French President Macron tonight…

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Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · Jun 22

‘We lock all our vineyard gates behind us when we go in, to make sure no-one can show up unannounced.’

The chaos wreaked on California wineries by Trump's immigration raids, and the possible loss of vineyard crews – 👏 to @decanter.com for running this:

www.decanter.com/wine-news/ca...

California's wine communities face deeply human costs amid Trump's immigration raids - Decanter

Immigration raids affect California's wine community: Trump's immigration policy has placed immigrant communities squarely in the cross hairs

www.decanter.com

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Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · May 30

Am sure that, like the wine press, the cheese trade titles will now be running features panicking at how 18-24-year-olds are no longer buying Roquefort…

www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...

French Gen Z turn noses up at pungent cheese

Nine per cent of 18-to-24-year-olds say they do not eat it, compared with five per cent of the French population as a whole

www.telegraph.co.uk

Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · May 27

My top five topics (among many) that all wine businesses should avoid when talking to consumers:

harpers.co.uk/news/fullsto...

Guy Woodward: how to avoid putting off consumers - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

I’m going to come right out and admit it. I’ve worked in the wine world for 22 years now, and I still don’t really understand malolactic fermentation. I...

harpers.co.uk

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Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · May 5

At last – a piece on why young adults are drinking less that is actually based on research. 👏 @teamdb.bsky.social

'The headline reason Gen Z are drinking less? They’re skint.'

www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/04/why-...

Why is Gen Z really drinking less? It’s not what you think

Gen Z's relationship with alcohol is driven by deeper economic and demographic shifts, according to a new report.

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

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Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · Apr 27

Stuck w @theobserveruk.bsky.social through the tribulations of recent years, but it’s now a world away from the great paper it once was. New sports section particularly low-budget.

Sad to see the UK press now without a serious Sunday paper to represent a liberal, left-leaning perspective.

The Observer @theobserveruk.bsky.social · Apr 26

The new Observer has gone to press.

Buy your copy, available across the country, tomorrow morning.

observer.co.uk/print

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Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · Apr 4

Also agree with @wlyons.bsky.social that studying for MW etc risks 'destroying my love of wine and teaching me how to taste in a manner I'm not sure suits my personality'.

Writers need to be able to see wine from a consumer's view, not an analytical/trade perspective…

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Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · Apr 4

V good piece by @henrygjeffreys.bsky.social on whether wine writers need formal wine qualifications. My view, FWIW – definitely not!

As Henry says: 'The most important qualification for a wine writer is to be able to write.'

henryjeffreys.substack.com/p/do-wine-wr...

Do wine writers need qualifications?

After 15 years as a wine autodidact, I am wondering whether it would help to study for some professional qualifications. So I spoke to some experts...

henryjeffreys.substack.com

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Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · Apr 2

Which is further from the notion of terroir – wine made from grapes grown in raised beds of coconut husk under polytunnels, or wine made from a blend of Australian and Rhône Syrah? And does any of it matter?

harpers.co.uk/news/fullsto...

Guy Woodward: How polytunnels could enhance producers’ toolkit - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

From Margaret River to Mendoza, Barolo to Burgundy, I’ve seen some picturesque vineyards in my time. The B58 Winery in Beaulieu was not one of them....

harpers.co.uk

Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · Apr 2

Chatting to Jay Boberg of Oregon's Nicolas-Jay this morning:

'People who argue this is good for US wines – think of all the importers and retailers dealing in European wines, who suddenly lose 50% of their revenue, and the knock-on effect this has on their business, staff levels and operations…'

Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · Apr 2

Fine summary of the potential impact of US tariffs on EU wines on the wider wine industry:

www.everydaydrinking.com/p/happy-libe...

Happy "Liberation Day" To All (Idiots) Who Celebrate

Trump's tariffs will damage the wine and spirits business in America, this much we know. It may even kill it.

www.everydaydrinking.com

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Guy Woodward @guywoodward.bsky.social · Mar 29

‘Bordeaux is a very small town. It’s very incestuous. The sport is trying to sleep with everybody’s else’s wife.'

I interviewed the always-entertaining Sacha Lichine, the man who gave up a fourth growth to invent swimming pool rosé...

67pallmall.com/what-ive-lea...