QUESTIONING AUTHORITY: The Jancis Robinson Interview

Posted by Tom Wark on Aug 25, 2011

Insight and education and entertainment does result from exploring the expertise of authorities in any given field. But sometimes, simply questioning the authority on more mundane matters can also deliver insight…and surprises. The "Questioning Authority" interview series on FERMENTATION is meant to do just that: Provide insight and surprises…and maybe entertain a little.

Questioning Authority:
THE JANCIS ROBINSON EDITION

Job Description?
Feeding the monster that is JancisRobinson.com mainly
 
Profession other than current you'd like to claim?
Travel agent manquée
 
First Act as The Queen of the Wine World?
Total immersion in the WSET, then MW, courses
 
Last book read?
Other People’s Money by Justin Cartwright
 
DeathBed Wine?
Very old Madeira – I can keep on taking small revivifying sips from a single bottle over the very long period I intend to spend on my deathbed. I’ll cling on for as long as possible.
 
Your hero or heroine?
Edmund Penning-Rowsell. See this, published a week ago in one of the UK’s leading broadsheets
 
Where does your one round-trip ticket in a time machine take you?
I’d love to have experienced the economic, industrial and social expansion of the late 19th century, and the pre phylloxera wines around then.
 
Is the 100-point wine rating scale a good thing?
Definitely not.
 
Late night Snack
In the old days I’d have said Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in a trice, but now you can buy them in the UK they have lost their luster.
 
Your new winery is named…?
Field of Dreams? I have no ambitions whatsoever to produce wine
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A writer, critic prolific author, speaker and educator Ms. Robinson can lay a strong claim to the title of "World's most influential wine authority". She is best experienced remotely at http://www.jancisrobinson.com. Finally, it appears that any attempt to sway or influence Ms. Robinson with Reece's Peanut Butter Cups is no longer an option.