The Cardiff Wine Tasting Circle

The Committee

Bill
	I have been a member of the Cardiff Wine Tasting Circle almost from its beginning. I am currently Minutes Secretary which I have done for three years. I have successfully completed two different WSET courses at Cardiff Metropolitan University (formerly UWIC) to improve my knowledge of wines and spirits. My own personal taste in wines is for the red wines of Spain particularly those of Rioja and La Mancha. My other favourites are the red wines of Uruguay, particularly the Tannat grape. With the varied tastings that the circle has I can enjoy trying wines from around the world many of which I would not normally taste. Wine tasting makes a great change from my daytime job, mending broken aeroplanes.
Caroline (membership)
	I am the Membership Secretary and send out the monthly letter with details of our forthcoming meetings. In a previous life, prior to retirement, I was a Reader in Hospitality at Cardiff Metropolitan University where I undertook research into wine consumption behaviours within the Welsh Centre for Tourism Research. I maintain my links with the university via PhD supervision and research projects. I used to teach on the Hospitality, Tourism and Events Programmes including the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) courses at levels 1,2 and 3. As a result of teaching on these programmes I became a founding member of the Cardiff Wine Tasting Circle (@cardiffwine) which was set up after several students had passed a WSET course and wanted to go on tasting in an informative and fun way but "no more exams please!" Because of our wide range of speakers, from Burgundy to Uruguay and all points world wide, the meetings also help to keep my knowledge up to date along with everyone else's. In order to balance out my wine consumption I also like to go to local food and beer festivals and on alcohol avoidance days to take long walks in the beautiful countryside round here.
Frances
	I have been interested in finding out about different wines for many years, particularly how they complement food. I joined the Cardiff Wine Tasting Circle eight years ago and have enjoyed expanding my knowledge in such a friendly and welcoming group. I particularly like the way the wines are introduced by a speaker - giving an opportunity to learn about wines and wine-growing areas in an informal and social setting. I tend to buy wines for my family from Europe, particularly France, although we also enjoy wines from Italy and Spain. As the winemaking areas of the New World have developed I am now buying more wine from South America, as well as Australia and New Zealand. I enjoy drinking different Rieslings. I have recently completed a WSET course at Cardiff Metropolitan University, which filled in many gaps in my understanding of wine and spirit production. I enjoy mountain walking and reading - and tasting different beers as well as wines, as can be seen in my photograph!
Jane
	I seriously became interested in wine back in 1989 after doing a wine tour when I realised how little I knew about wine. I then successfully completed two WSET courses at UWIC (University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, now Cardiff Metropolitan University). The Circle too is a great way to learn about wine, with informed tastings in a pleasant & friendly atmosphere. Although generally I prefer wines from what I like to call Traditional Areas, I am always willing to try wines from elsewhere, especially as there are some exciting new developments in areas such as China, India etc. I find wine fascinating, how wines can taste differently depending on where, by whom & the year it was made. Each year there is another new vintage to try!
Jack
	Although I am one of the few committee members not to have completed a WSET course, I've had a keen interest in wine since my 18th birthday, when my Dad dug out a bottle of Bordeaux he'd bought and hung onto from the year of my birth. The cupboard under the stairs had been surprisingly kind to it! Now into my third year with the circle, I joined up to be able to take part in regular tastings here in Cardiff, to compliment the wine tourism my wife and I have been lucky enough to experience over the last few years. From France, Italy and Greece, to Napa Valley and the South African Cape, our holidays always seem to involve discovering the local wine. My biggest challenge is juggling my love of wine with an active running training schedule! My go-to wines tend to be red, a Chilean Carmenere or a New World Cabernet Sauvignon. However if I'm in the mood for white it's a Chenin Blanc or an unashamedly big buttery Chardonnay.
Karen (Treasurer)
	I am a founding member of the Cardiff Wine Tasting Circle (@cardiffwine) and I am the treasurer. In addition to this I also look after the CWTC Wine Maturation Fund, a sub group of CWTC members who have clubbed together to buy wines for laying down and future tastings when we may no longer be able to afford to buy the wines. I have my own wine business and delicatessen in Pontcanna in Cardiff, Al Ponte, (Twitter: @alpontepont) and also work with Caroline and Cardiff Metropolitan University to teach the Wine and Spirit Education Trust courses. My hobby is travelling through Europe, especially Italy, to seek out new and exciting wines.
Rose (website)
	I have had an interest in wines for around 10 years now and the Cardiff Wine Tasting Circle has allowed me to experience a great variety of wines. My knowledge of various aspects of wine production and influences on taste has increased through the talks that we enjoy with the vast majority of tastings. I have completed the WSET Intermediate Course through Cardiff Metropolitan University, because of my experience with the CWTC, cementing the knowledge that I gained through the wine tastings and during the course.
Steve (Chair)
	My interest in wine probably started during my frequent channel hopping visits to the hypermarkets of the Pas-de-Calais some 25 odd years ago. I was keen to discover the wine regions of France and its grape varieties. I have since been fortunate to visit numerous vineyards throughout Europe, Australia and the USA, combining my two passions of wine appreciation and travel. I joined the CWTC in 2012 and was elected Chairman in 2015. I look forward to our monthly tastings which are informative and enjoyable affairs. I would encourage any potential new members to join us at our friendly and informal meetings.