Interview with Signature Master of Wine, Caroline Gilby
Posted on Mon 13th Jul 2015 at 14:51
Caroline was the first MW to join the Signature Wines team of experts specifically selected for her unique knowledge and expertise in wines from the Balkans and Eastern Europe.
As a Master of Wine since 1992 and with a Ph.D. in Plant Sciences, Caroline hung up her microscope in 1988 to join the world of wine as a senior buyer for a major UK wine retail chain before becoming a freelance writer and consultant to the industry. Contributing to over 20 years of her life to specialising in wines from the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Caroline regularly writes for magazines including Decanter, Harpers, The Drinks Business, and frequently hosts master classes and seminars across the UK and Europe, and judges wines across the globe. Caroline was brought to the Signature team for her wealth of industry knowledge and expertise, and genuine passion for wine, to help guide the awareness of these exciting new regions. Continuing our series of Q & A’s with the Signature Experts, here is Caroline Gilby’s interview: How did you get into the Wine Industry? I won a trip to stay on a port quinta while I was studying for my PhD. Decided there and then to leave the microscope behind and look for a job in wine and was lucky enough to be offered the position of trainee wine buyer at Augustus Barnett. Do you have an area of speciality? Central and Eastern Europe What is the best part about your job? The great places and people I get to see on my travels And the worst? Having to taste a line-up of tough tannic reds early in the morning and thinking of something constructive to say about them. Which is your favourite grape variety and why? No single favourite - too many exciting and different varieties out there to single out one. Also many of my favourite wines are blends anyway. Which five famous people would you love to have over for dinner and why? Johnny Depp (to look at), Ed Viesturs (the first American to climb all 14 peaks over 8,000m as I am endlessly fascinated by mountaineering), Marcus Brigstocke (I love his bitter satirical sense of humour), Dean Karnazes (perhaps the most famous "ultra runner", something I'm aspiring to), and Peter Gabriel (he played the first gig I ever went to) Name five things you ‘can’t live without’ My family, decent tea, running shoes, cheese, apples What is your motto? Life is too short to drink bad wine Who is your hero? Jane Tomlinson Finish this sentence: “wine is best drunk……with friends"