Round up of members’ newsNigel Buxton has launched a blog called Buxton’s Blog– wine country (http://baaaddad.wordpress.com/). Nigelexplains why:‘But why a blog?‘Because as a writer I want to be read. I no longer havea newspaper column or regular magazine commissionsfor the exercise of my trade. Books would seem to bethe obvious and only alternative; but – the contentsnotwithstanding – trying to publish a book nowadays byconventional means makes the twelfth labour of Herculeslook like a stroll with a poodle in the park, and probably farless rewarding. A few years ago there would have beenno practical solution to the problem; today there is theunattractively-named, much-maligned and much-abuseddevice of the blog.‘So this is the plan:‘As well as new material of various kinds, I want topublish work which I think deserves a second lease oflife. To start the ball rolling (which also means to take thefirst faltering steps in the art and technique of blogging),I am posting a series of extracts from my book, Walkingin Wine Country. This was a big illustrated volume,originally published by Weidenfeld and Nicolson in 1993(when it was judged Wine Book of the Year) and was aconsequence of more than five years of walking through allthe major wine growing regions of France and a few of theminor ones.’See p43 for an example from the blog.Robert Joseph has been appointed wine correspondentfor The Oldie. He replaces Malcolm Gluck, who resigned inJuly. (See Noticed on the net.)Change of address etc.Stephen Brook has a new email address:brook707@btinternet.com.Eduardo Brethauer has a new email address:eduardo@brethauer.clOz Clarke has an email address (he could resist nolonger!): ozclarke34@gmail.com(But does he have computer or other receiving device? Ifso, will his quill pen be auctioned in Hong Kong? ed)Laura Clay has a new email address:laura@birminghamimbibers.co.ukDave DeSimone has moved to:815 Copeland Way, #2, Pittsburgh PA 15232, USARichard James has moved to:31 Windsor Gardens, Bangor, Co Down, BT20 3DDMobile: 07704 267075María Pilar Molestina has moved to: Dos de Copas, S.L.Roma, 24, 28028 Madrid, SpainAngela Reddin has moved and her address has changed,but only slightly, to:164A Sutherland Grove, Southfields, London SW18 5QNHer new tel number is: +44 (0)208 704 1753A ‘thank you’ from the <strong>Circle</strong> to Freixenet for suppling thesmart ice buckets/spittoons first used at the De MartinoCarménère tasting (see p10 for the report on the tasting).Benefits for members:a new benefit and a revisionWe have a new benefit from Vine House Distribution and arevised benefit from Around Wine (Eurocave) – see detailsbelow.Lindsay Oram has now taken over the handling of thebenefits for members from Maggie Rosen. A big thank youto Maggie for all her previous efforts.If you have any thoughts on people/companiesto approach which you feel could provide aprofessional benefit to the membership please let Lindsayknow on lindsayoram@blueyonder.co.uk.Vine House Distribution (magazines and tradepublications – new benefit)A 30% discount is offered on Vine House books (postageand packing is extra and depends on weight of order).The list is diverse, ranging from Winery Technology andOperations through Africa Uncorked to Harry Waugh’sDiary.To place an order contact Vine House Ltd byemail: sales@vinehouse.co.uk, tel: 01825 767396, or fax:01825 765649, quoting <strong>Circle</strong> of Wine Writers.Orders cannot be made via the websitewww.vinehouseuk.co.uk.Around Wine (Eurocave)Around Wine specialises in wine storage and glasses, a12.5% discount is offered on wine storage and 20% onall ranges of glassware. Glassware brands stocked areRiedel, the unbreakable Arc range, and the new glass thatis exciting sommeliers and wine tasters alike, Denk’artfrom Zalto in Austria.Items can be purchased at the showroom, 57 ChilternStreet, London W1U 6ND. To obtain discount show yourCWW card. To order via the website www.eurocave.co.uk and www.aroundwine.co.uk contact Daniel Primack,email: daniel@aroundwine.co.uk, tel: 020 7935 4679.<strong>Circle</strong> <strong>Update</strong> October 2011 7