Summary: This session focuses on techniques you can use to enhance your blind tasting skills. Justin will discuss some of the tips and tricks he employed to pass the Master of Wine; the most challenging wine tasting exam in the world. Justin will share some exercises that you can try at home to build your own tasting skills, as well as discussing the most effective ways of writing

This article has been published in partnership with World of Fine Wine and Wine Scholar Guild.  A topsy-turvy 2019 Barolo growing season set many challenges for growers who produced wines that are classical in structure, with firm tannins and high acidity but less of the density and richness of recent warmer years, says Andrew Jefford, who was joined by Bruno Besa and Michael Palij MW.

We recently caught up with Justin Martindale MW, our Membership & Community Manager, to find out what’s happening in the WSG Membership program and how it all gets put together.

Summary: Join us for a fascinating and thought-provoking exploration of old vines and old-vine wine. Master of Wine and co-founder of The Old Vine Conference, Sarah Abbott will explore the genetic, cultural, ecological and qualitative value of old vines and heritage viticulture, and will explain why the old-vine-wine category has gathered so many influential advocates in recent years. Abbott co-founded The Old

One of the most significant trends happening in Bourgogne today, is a movement towards sustainable, organic and biodynamic viticulture. Due to the warming of temperatures, increase in sunlight and shift in rainy season, there has been less vineyard mildew pressure, drier soil and earlier harvests. This change in climate, combined with the desire for a more ecologically sustainable growing model by Bourgogne producers, has led to the recent trend towards Green Farming.

Wine Scholar Guild (WSG) is delighted to announce that Christopher Martin MW has joined the team as Director of Education. As one of the very most recent individuals to achieve the Master of Wine certification in February 2024, Christopher has a strong background in education, with over 18 years of teaching a range of students from primary schools to graduate-level courses. 

As a member, you are entitled to two free Master of Wine mentoring sessions a year. These are one-on-one sessions with Justin Martindale MW, our Membership & Community Manager to discuss absolutely anything wine-related that you might find helpful. Sessions last up to 30 minutes, and can be booked directly with Justin

Chris Martin MW joins the Wine Scholar Guild as our new Director of Education. Simon J Woolf spoke to him about his background and what he’ll be bringing to the role. There’s an assumption in the wine world that if you’re knowledgeable in your subject area, ergo you can teach. Chris Martin MW wants to challenge that idea. Unusually for the sector, he started out in the world of education and latterly cross-trained in wine.

Summary: An understanding of what biodynamics is and why it has so many young followers today begins with a look at history and the question of why Rudolf Steiner's impulse came about in Germany, in 1924, during the interwar years. The questions that farmers asked themselves then are as relevant today as they were then and have a lot to do with the fertiliser issue. In this webinar, we will take a look at this history and what is modern about the 100 year old

Summary:  Champagne specialist Essi Avellan MW hosts a live discussion on the latest trends in Champagne and the outlook for the region's future. Her prestigious panel will be covering a broad range of trends from vineyards to wineries as well as business. She will be joined by cellar master Cyril Brun of the prestigious house Charles Heidsieck, Vallée de la Marne Meunier specialist

Master of Wine Jane Hunt is interviewed by Decanter Magazine’s Andrew Jefford about Tuscany and its wines. Jane has a long, distinguished career in various aspects of the wine trade. She leads the Wine Scholar Guild immersion tours through some of the legendary Tuscan wine estates. 

Summary Meet your new Membership & Community Manager! Join us for this one-off special Q&A with Justin Martindale MW who is taking over the position from Anna this January. Justin will be chatting about his background and experience, as well as his journey through the Master of Wine qualification and vision for the Membership programme going forward. At the end you will have an opportunity to pose your own questions to Justin to help get to know him and his plans for the

Watch Here You can watch this video in our community space here Summary In this month's Icon Wine Tasting, we're focussed on Left Bank Bordeaux, which of course means taking a look at 1st growth Bordeaux. These wines have been the undisupted champions of the region since long before they were officially classified in

Summary:  From the climate to legislation, from equipment to personnel, growing and making wine in China has unique challenges to overcome.  This webinar will delve into the  trials and rewards of producing great wine in China, looking at 5 of the major growing regions, while outlining the history of viticulture in China and throwing light on the position that grape wine holds in Chinese culture both now and in the past. Presenter: Fongyee Walker MW Fongyee

Summary:  A growing body of scientific evidence shows that what people taste when evaluating a wine, and how much they enjoy the experience, can be influenced by the music that happens to be playing at the same time. Limited research has been published about the effects of music on sparkling wine. Learn about the latest experiment conducted in this field, focusing on classical music and the perception of a Brut non-vintage

The love of wine and music often mesh.  Both arouse our senses and emotions; both appeal aesthetically; both console and nourish.  And they’ve done this since our earliest days.  The world’s oldest alcoholic residues, dating back 9,000 years, were found alongside flutes made from the wing bones of the red-crowned crane (in Jiahu, China).  Wine, music, firelight: bringing happiness, then as now.