Tom KingFine Wine
My role at Great Western Wine is to monitor and research the fine wine market, and to advise customers and colleagues on what to buy and what to sell. Consequently, I'm actively involved in the buying team, as well as keeping everyone informed of new developments with e-mail updates that I'm told are fun to read. I also have the onerous responsibility of tasting thousands of wines, both here and in the cellars of overseas suppliers.
With a decade's experience in the wine trade in both the USA and UK, and an Oxford degree, I expected the WSET Diploma in Wines and Spirits to be a breeze. I was wrong - it's a serious challenge. IF I pass, I MAY think about tackling the Master of Wine qualification. Perhaps.
Flavours of the moment: I'm a big fan of the Riesling 'Smaragd' from Machherndl - dry but gentle, with a peacock's tail of flavours. As 'Fine Wine Specialist', I am obliged to enjoy claret, so I commend to you the uniquely lovely Château La Tourette 2001; I defy you to find another Pauillac at such a reasonable price with as much finesse allied to concentration. My affordable pleasures include the deliciously pure Garnachas (both red and pink) from Cruz de Piedra.
