Guy Woodward
@guywoodward.bsky.social
Mainly wine.
Director, Grand Cru Creative. Ex-editor, Decanter.
Used to love Twitter.
Director, Grand Cru Creative. Ex-editor, Decanter.
Used to love Twitter.
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...
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
October 31, 2025 at 3:15 PM
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...
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...
Useful advice from
@thewinesociety.bsky.social
in its 1880 list (though I'm a bit confused by the difference between 'Sweet' and 'Dessert'…)
@thewinesociety.bsky.social
in its 1880 list (though I'm a bit confused by the difference between 'Sweet' and 'Dessert'…)
September 26, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Useful advice from
@thewinesociety.bsky.social
in its 1880 list (though I'm a bit confused by the difference between 'Sweet' and 'Dessert'…)
@thewinesociety.bsky.social
in its 1880 list (though I'm a bit confused by the difference between 'Sweet' and 'Dessert'…)
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
September 20, 2025 at 4:07 PM
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).
Considering the legacy of Michel Rolland, the uber-consultant who purists loved to hate…
janeanson.com/michel-rolla...
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
September 4, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Considering the legacy of Michel Rolland, the uber-consultant who purists loved to hate…
janeanson.com/michel-rolla...
janeanson.com/michel-rolla...
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/...
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
August 28, 2025 at 10:02 AM
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/...
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/...
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…
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…
July 18, 2025 at 11:47 AM
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…
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…
Taittinger’s English fizz Domaine Evremond served at the Royal Banquet in honour of French President Macron tonight…
July 8, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Taittinger’s English fizz Domaine Evremond served at the Royal Banquet in honour of French President Macron tonight…
‘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...
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
June 22, 2025 at 11:20 AM
‘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...
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...
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...
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
May 30, 2025 at 1:26 PM
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...
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
My top five topics (among many) that all wine businesses should avoid when talking to consumers:
harpers.co.uk/news/fullsto...
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
May 27, 2025 at 10:22 AM
My top five topics (among many) that all wine businesses should avoid when talking to consumers:
harpers.co.uk/news/fullsto...
harpers.co.uk/news/fullsto...
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-...
'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
May 5, 2025 at 12:36 PM
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-...
'The headline reason Gen Z are drinking less? They’re skint.'
www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/04/why-...
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.
Sad to see the UK press now without a serious Sunday paper to represent a liberal, left-leaning perspective.
The new Observer has gone to press.
Buy your copy, available across the country, tomorrow morning.
observer.co.uk/print
Buy your copy, available across the country, tomorrow morning.
observer.co.uk/print
April 27, 2025 at 11:28 AM
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.
Sad to see the UK press now without a serious Sunday paper to represent a liberal, left-leaning perspective.
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...
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
April 4, 2025 at 12:29 PM
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...
As Henry says: 'The most important qualification for a wine writer is to be able to write.'
henryjeffreys.substack.com/p/do-wine-wr...
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...
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
April 2, 2025 at 3:35 PM
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...
harpers.co.uk/news/fullsto...
Fine summary of the potential impact of US tariffs on EU wines on the wider wine industry:
www.everydaydrinking.com/p/happy-libe...
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
April 2, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Fine summary of the potential impact of US tariffs on EU wines on the wider wine industry:
www.everydaydrinking.com/p/happy-libe...
www.everydaydrinking.com/p/happy-libe...
‘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...
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...
March 29, 2025 at 9:24 AM
‘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...
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...
Producers are now having to jump through so many hoops to retain the style of their wine that they're almost circumventing terroir.
Meanwhile, classed growths eliminate over half the crop from their grands vins. So – is great wine really still made in the vineyard?
timatkin.com/the-dilution...
Meanwhile, classed growths eliminate over half the crop from their grands vins. So – is great wine really still made in the vineyard?
timatkin.com/the-dilution...
The Dilution of Terroir – Tim Atkin – Master of Wine
timatkin.com
March 27, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Producers are now having to jump through so many hoops to retain the style of their wine that they're almost circumventing terroir.
Meanwhile, classed growths eliminate over half the crop from their grands vins. So – is great wine really still made in the vineyard?
timatkin.com/the-dilution...
Meanwhile, classed growths eliminate over half the crop from their grands vins. So – is great wine really still made in the vineyard?
timatkin.com/the-dilution...
Great piece, and essential reading, from Kate Lofthouse for
@timatkinmw.bsky.social
'The allegations feel under-explored in the media.'
100% – but it's not hard to fathom why, when Champagne houses are regular clients of most wine titles…
timatkin.com/uncomfortabl...
@timatkinmw.bsky.social
'The allegations feel under-explored in the media.'
100% – but it's not hard to fathom why, when Champagne houses are regular clients of most wine titles…
timatkin.com/uncomfortabl...
Uncomfortable Truths – Tim Atkin – Master of Wine
timatkin.com
March 25, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Great piece, and essential reading, from Kate Lofthouse for
@timatkinmw.bsky.social
'The allegations feel under-explored in the media.'
100% – but it's not hard to fathom why, when Champagne houses are regular clients of most wine titles…
timatkin.com/uncomfortabl...
@timatkinmw.bsky.social
'The allegations feel under-explored in the media.'
100% – but it's not hard to fathom why, when Champagne houses are regular clients of most wine titles…
timatkin.com/uncomfortabl...
Spottswoode has planted various varieties - Falanghina, Touriga Nacional - on an experimental basis, ‘because we can’t be sure that Cabernet will be viable in the future, given how hot it’s getting in Napa…’
March 4, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Spottswoode has planted various varieties - Falanghina, Touriga Nacional - on an experimental basis, ‘because we can’t be sure that Cabernet will be viable in the future, given how hot it’s getting in Napa…’
For most of Napa, 2020’s fires were a disaster. For Harlan, they led to a permanent change in style.
‘It was like after 20 years of having a relationship with somebody, you realise you’ve missed something so key to them…’
My latest for 67 Pall Mall’s newsletter
www.67pallmall.com/how-impendin...
‘It was like after 20 years of having a relationship with somebody, you realise you’ve missed something so key to them…’
My latest for 67 Pall Mall’s newsletter
www.67pallmall.com/how-impendin...
UNDER THE SURFACE | How impending disaster yielded a change of style at Harlan
For most Napa Valley producers, 2020 is a vintage they would sooner forget – if they even made wine at...
www.67pallmall.com
February 22, 2025 at 2:46 PM
For most of Napa, 2020’s fires were a disaster. For Harlan, they led to a permanent change in style.
‘It was like after 20 years of having a relationship with somebody, you realise you’ve missed something so key to them…’
My latest for 67 Pall Mall’s newsletter
www.67pallmall.com/how-impendin...
‘It was like after 20 years of having a relationship with somebody, you realise you’ve missed something so key to them…’
My latest for 67 Pall Mall’s newsletter
www.67pallmall.com/how-impendin...
People always like to know the blend breakdown of wines. Yet it seems winemakers couldn’t be less bothered. Some of them don’t even know.
Marc Hochar of Musar: ‘It’s really not the most important thing.’
JG Prats of Léoville Las Cases: ‘It’s the least interesting aspect of all the wines we make.’
Marc Hochar of Musar: ‘It’s really not the most important thing.’
JG Prats of Léoville Las Cases: ‘It’s the least interesting aspect of all the wines we make.’
February 18, 2025 at 2:33 PM
People always like to know the blend breakdown of wines. Yet it seems winemakers couldn’t be less bothered. Some of them don’t even know.
Marc Hochar of Musar: ‘It’s really not the most important thing.’
JG Prats of Léoville Las Cases: ‘It’s the least interesting aspect of all the wines we make.’
Marc Hochar of Musar: ‘It’s really not the most important thing.’
JG Prats of Léoville Las Cases: ‘It’s the least interesting aspect of all the wines we make.’
English Merlot being grown in raised beds of coir (coconut husk) within polytunnels in Hampshire
February 11, 2025 at 3:53 PM
English Merlot being grown in raised beds of coir (coconut husk) within polytunnels in Hampshire
People make fun of influencers parroting press releases, but at the top-end, is there any more pointless tasting ‘report’ each year than the write-ups of DRC?
February 7, 2025 at 1:58 PM
People make fun of influencers parroting press releases, but at the top-end, is there any more pointless tasting ‘report’ each year than the write-ups of DRC?
February 6, 2025 at 8:33 AM
