Caroline Gilby MW
Who Am I?
A Master of Wine since 1992. I abandoned life behind the microscope after a degree in Botany and a PhD in plant sciences. I joined Augustus Barnett as trainee wine buyer in 1988 and never looked back.
My Career in Wine
Seven years as Senior Wine Buyer for Augustus Barnett and the whole Bass Group gave me the chance to travel to vineyards all over the world. I have bought wine from most countries that grow grapes, in parcels ranging from a few cases to over a hundred thousand cases, for wine shops, pubs and hotels.
The Freelance Life
In 195 I left corporate life behind to start my own business as an independent consultant and freelance wine writer.
I provide consultancy on wine quality; brand development; benchmarking against competitive products; range selection; technical specifications; copy writing for labels, shelf talkers and brochures. Clients range from major international PLCs to small boutique wineries.
I was a board director of the UK Wine Standards Board for 4 years until 2003, appointed by the Minster for Agriculture. This is a Non-Departmental Public Body responsible for supervision and enforcement of EU wine law in the UK
I lecture for the Wine and Spirit Education Trust at Diploma level on the global drinks market, UK wine market, wine tasting technique, vinification, wine handling and quality control.
I am affiliated to Wine Educators International and can offer wine talks and wine dinners to companies and wine societies.
I am a member of the Circle of Wine Writers and I taste regularly at international wine competitions.
Writing on Wine
Wine Report 2004 edited by Tom Stevenson. Awarded “Best Wine Guide in the World.” I write the section on Eastern and South Eastern Europe and co-author the viticulture chapter, with Dr Richard Smart. Wine Report 2005 published by Dorling Kindersley is due out in Sept 2004. Buy it here
Regular Column in WineWorld magazine (published from Dec 2001 to August 2003). Some articles below:
- On Alcohol and the Brain (May 2002)
- On Argentina (May 2002)
- Dream On - California (June 2002)
- Mistaken Identity - Chilean Rootstocks(April 2004)
- Brand Australia (March 2002)
- Rainbow Nation South Africa (April 2002)
- Champagne and the effect of 'Fizz' (March 2002)
- Promise of the Eastern European Vineyards (July 2002)
- Wine Into Water - dehydration and alcohol (April 2002)
- The Languedoc (July 2002)
- Italy overview (January 2002)
Contributing Editor to Worldwinetrade.com (2000 to 2001)
Some articles here:
Regular Column in European Drinks Buyer (1996 to 1998)
Other Freelance Work
I have also written and consulted for (1996 to 2004):