Jim's Loire: Dr José – wine's 'special one'!

Dr José Vouillamoz

Unusual varieties from Wine Grapes

Football's 'special one' may be returning to West London after time at Inter Milan and Real Madrid but the wine world already has its special one in place – Dr José Vouillamoz – after a brilliant and hugely impressive presentation to the Circle of Wine Writers yesterday. José's presentation at the CWW's traditional seminar at the opening morning of the London International Wine Trade Fair was on unusual and rare grape varieties and featured 11 wines – all single varietals and all different varieties. The production of some of the wines is so tiny that it is unlikely that it will be possible to taste some of these wines again. (The wines will be listed with their labels in the next post.)

Dr José Vouillamoz is a co-author with Julia Harding MW and Jancis Robinson MW of Wine Grapes, the weight lifters' delight and almost complete guide to grape varieties. 'Almost complete' because since the book's publication last autumn a few more varieties that were not included have come to light and will be in the next edition. Wine Grapes has already scooped six awards: Best Drink Book 2012, Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards; Best Beverage Book 2012, James Beard Awards; Best Drink Book 2012, André Simon Awards; Hall of Fame for Best Wine Book 2012, Gourmand World Cookbook Awards; Best Drinks Book 2012, Wine &amp Spirits magazine; and Most Uplifting Book 2012, Iron Person Magazine. Doubtless there will be more to follow.