Jancis Robinson

[Jason Perlow]

Jancis Robinson is that most rare of wine writers, she can write - and write beautifully. Her voice has emerged as a leading defender of ‘terroir’ and individual personality in wines in an age when many wine regions are losing their individual character in the headlong pursuit of the ‘international style’ preferred by many wine writers.

Ms. Robinson passed the prestigious Masters of Wine exam in 1984 becoming the first non-trade person to succeed is passing the rigorous week-long exam. Today, she is one of only 200 people to hold the M. W. title. Since then she has won every honor and title that the wine trade can bestow and was just awarded the O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

Ms Robinson is a prolific writer and has created a long list of excellent wine literature. Forbes FYI magazine has accurately called her, "the wisest and wittiest wine writer in the English language. Her extensive list of books includes such benchmarks as: The World Atlas of Wine (with Hugh Johnson), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Vines, Grapes & Wines: The Wine Drinker's Guide to Grape Varieties, Tasting Pleasure, and How To Taste among many others. She is also well known for her award-winning 10-part international television series Jancis Robinson's Wine Course . She also contributes a weekly columns to the London Financial Times and San Francisco Chronicle and syndicates a bi-monthly column to five continents, but her principal current outlet is http://www.jancisrobinson.com which has subscribers in more than 50 countries and to which Jancis will be giving away a subscription (worth £59.00 ($89.00)) to one lucky Q and A participant.

About the Q&A

This Q&A will be moderated and use the Moderation Queue -- your questions will not appear immediately. Given the popularity of the subject matter, not all questions may be answered and will be subject to review by the Special Guest and the eGullet Moderating team. Please note this Q and A is limited to only 30 questions so get your questions posted early.