Wine Talks British Business

The second part of the interview with Tom. See part one for further details.

Tom became the first wine journalist to specialise in Champagne when, after six years of research, he published Champagne (Sotheby’s Publications, 1986). His Christie’s World Encyclopedia of Champagne & Sparkling Wine (Absolute Press, 1998) reproduced a 17th-century document proving that the English invented sparkling Champagne six years before Dom Pérignon set foot in Hautvillers. This historical revelation ensured the encyclopedia itself made history by becoming the only wine book to warrant a leader in any UK national newspaper (The Guardian, 14 October 1998). Today Tom is the author of more than 40 books and has a regular Champagne column in The World of Fine Wine. He has judged at wine competitions in Australia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, South Africa and the USA. In the UK, he held the chair of the Champagne panel for the Decanter World Wine Awards from its inception until 2012. Tom is the founder and chair of the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships and during this year’s judging which

For more on Stephen please see his website : English Wine. Stephen Skelton has been involved with growing vines and making wine since 1975. He spent two years in Germany, working at Schloss Schönborn in the Rheingau and studying at Geisenheim, the world-renowned winegrowing and winemaking college, with the late Professor Helmut Becker. In 1977 he returned to the UK to establish the vineyards at Tenterden in Kent (now the home of the UK’s largest wine producer, Chapel Down Wines), and made wine there for 22 consecutive vintages. From 1988 to 1991 he was also winemaker and general manager at Lamberhurst Vineyards, at that time the largest winery in the UK. He now works as a consultant to vineyards and wineries in the UK and is currently setting up vineyards for the production of both still and sparkling wine. In 1986 Stephen started writing and lecturing about wine and has contributed articles to many different publications. In 1989 he wrote (and published) his first book, The Vineyards of England and in 2001

Simon has more than 30 years’ experience in different commercial sectors of the wine industry, including senior roles with Waitrose, Constellation, Negociants and Fells. He has been a board member of both the Institute of Masters of Wine and the WSET, and continues to work with both organisations. Passionate about the British wine industry, he took over the role as CEO of WineGB in October 2020 and was appointed to the Board on 13th April 2021. Simon lives in the beautiful county of Shropshire, and spends his spare time with his wife Louise and three sons, walking the dogs, weeding the garden, exploring the rough of various golf courses, and coming to terms with the gradual fall from power (and possible renaissance) of his beloved Arsenal.

Simon has more than 30 years’ experience in different commercial sectors of the wine industry, including senior roles with Waitrose, Constellation, Negociants and Fells. He has been a board member of both the Institute of Masters of Wine and the WSET, and continues to work with both organisations. Passionate about the British wine industry, he took over the role as CEO of WineGB in October 2020 and was appointed to the Board on 13th April 2021. Simon lives in the beautiful county of Shropshire, and spends his spare time with his wife Louise and three sons, walking the dogs, weeding the garden, exploring the rough of various golf courses, and coming to terms with the gradual fall from power (and possible renaissance) of his beloved Arsenal.