Today my fellow English wine writer Steven Spurrier turns 70. This is quite surprising in view of how youthful he looks. I would normally use this anniversary as an excuse to write a profile of him, but I have already written one, Steven Spurrier – champion of French wines,to coincide with the 2006 re-run of the Judgment of Paris, the infamous blind tasting he organised in 1976 comparing top French wines with their counterparts from California.
You can read a guide to our detailed coverage of that second tasting here. The film Bottle Shock was (extremely loosely) based...
Happy birthday, Steven Spurrier
Wednesday 5 October 2011
Become a member to continue reading
This February, share what you love.
February is the month of love and wine. From Valentine’s Day (14th) to Global Drink Wine Day (21st), it’s the perfect time to gift wine knowledge to the people who matter most.
Gift an annual membership and save 25%. Offer ends 21 February.
Member
$135
/year
Ideal for wine enthusiasts
- Access 289,619 wine reviews & 15,913 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
Inner Circle
$249
/year
Ideal for collectors
- Access 289,619 wine reviews & 15,913 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
Professional
$299
/year
For individual wine professionals
- Access 289,619 wine reviews & 15,913 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
- Commercial use of up to 25 wine reviews & scores for marketing
Business
$399
/year
For companies in the wine trade
- Access 289,619 wine reviews & 15,913 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
- Commercial use of up to 250 wine reviews & scores for marketing
More Don't quote me
Don't quote me
January is always a heavy month for professional wine tastings. This year Jancis fortified herself beforehand. 2026 got off to...
Don't quote me
Jet lag, a bad cold, but somehow an awful lot of good wine was enjoyed.
This diary is a double...
Don't quote me
Two fabulous weekends, and a lot of tasting. The Tuscan weekend is exemplified by the outdoor Sunday lunch pictured above...
Don't quote me
Multiple tastings and one visit to a vineyard this month.
I still have a physical diary. In August I had...
More from JancisRobinson.com
Inside information
An ancient variety high in acidity and low in alcohol might help Franciacorta weather the effects of climate change. Last...
Tasting articles
An extreme vintage rarefied by eye-watering selection. Above, co-directors Betrand de Villaine and Perrine Fenal with Corney & Barrow’s managing...
Free for all
17 February 2026 Older readers will know the name Joseph Berkmann well. As outlined in the profile below, republished today...
Tasting articles
Chinese wines to ring in the New Year – or anytime, really, now that this portfolio is available in the...
Nick on restaurants
Two great restaurants selected by our Spanish specialist Ferran Centelles for Jancis and Nick during Barcelona’s wine trade fair. There...
Free for all
A final report on this year’s Southwold-on-Thames tasting of about 200 wines from the unusually hot, dry 2022 vintage. A...
Wine news in 5
Plus, a trade deal for China and South Africa, falling French wine and spirits exports, a legal case in Australia...
Wines of the week
A complex mountain-grown Greek Muscat that confronts our expectations. From $33.99, £25.50. Pictured above, Muscat of Spina vines at c...