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 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.
I have successfully completed two different WSET courses at 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
I am the Membership Secretary and send out the monthly winetasting letter. I am a Senior Lecturer at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, lecturing in the School of Hospitality on the WSET courses, amongst other subjects. I am a founder member of CWTC which was set up after several part time students had completed a WSET course and wanted to go on tasting in an informative but fun way - 'no more books or exams please!' The meetings help me to keep my knowledge up to date along with everyone else.
In order to balance my wine consumption I also like to go the the local beer festivals and on alcohol avoidance days take very long walks in the beautiful countryside round here.
In order to balance my wine consumption I also like to go the the local beer festivals and on alcohol avoidance days take very long walks in the beautiful countryside round here.
Colin
Colin's email is mysterymail@brigadoon.com
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. 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!
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!
Karen
Founder member of the CWTC, proto-Master of Wine and ex-solicitor, Karen has a large house full of dogs and a slightly smaller cellar full of wine.
Mark
I joined the Cardiff Wine Tasting Circle late in 2003, becoming a Committee Member in January 2005 and being re-elected to the Committee for a further year at the January 2006 AGM. I am now the Wine Tasting Circle's Chairman.
My interest in wine is purely as a hobby and I am generally content to discover and drink a nice £6.99 bottle whose quality is demonstrably above the usual £3.99 mark found in high street mini-marts. I have also very much enjoyed the extra knowledge gained as part of the Wine Tasting tutorings that has added to my enjoyment of the particular wines being tried that evening.
A Llanelli lad, I am a keen rugby supporter, and other interests outside of wine include the arts, cycling and reading. Especially if they can be combined with a glass of wine.
My interest in wine is purely as a hobby and I am generally content to discover and drink a nice £6.99 bottle whose quality is demonstrably above the usual £3.99 mark found in high street mini-marts. I have also very much enjoyed the extra knowledge gained as part of the Wine Tasting tutorings that has added to my enjoyment of the particular wines being tried that evening.
A Llanelli lad, I am a keen rugby supporter, and other interests outside of wine include the arts, cycling and reading. Especially if they can be combined with a glass of wine.
Rachel
I joined the group about 3 years ago, together with my husband Andy after we'd taken a local wine tasting evening class. I'm certainly no expert - my connection to the wine trade is as "consumer" but I enjoy combining travel abroad with sampling local food and wine - Bordeaux and South Africa were probably more sucessful in this regard than Zimbabwe or Switzerland!
Sarah
I first heard about the Cardiff Wine Tasting Circle at a wine appreciation evening class run by Jane and held at Howardian Adult Education Centre. I have now been a circle member for approximately three years and am in my second year as a member of the committee. I enjoy learning about different wines and their regions in our monthly meetings – always with the aim of developing my taste buds!! I also enjoy the social aspect of the group and meeting other members. I have recently returned from a champagne tasting trip to Reims, France with another group of wine lovers which I thoroughly enjoyed.
In addition to organising specific monthly meetings (a task shared with other committee members), I have volunteered to act as webmaster for our new site. I am looking forward to receiving all comments on the site (good and bad) so please do let us have your views and any feedback you wish to give!!
In addition to organising specific monthly meetings (a task shared with other committee members), I have volunteered to act as webmaster for our new site. I am looking forward to receiving all comments on the site (good and bad) so please do let us have your views and any feedback you wish to give!!
