Meet Clive barlow - Our Master of Wine
Clive in his natural habitat
“My task is to select from the growing number of producers who offer wines of interest and quality which express the true varietal typicity, or the vineyard character, allied to the producers’ own views on wine. Every time I taste I am looking for quality first, then character and then value.”
The MASTER OF WINE (MW)
Clive Barlow is a rare creature, one of only 400 Master of Wines in the world! As an early adopter of English wine, coupled with his vast knowldege, he is the perfect man for the job of curating Corkk’s Wine Box. He has worked in the British wine trade since 1979, and became a Master of Wine in 1999. He has been associated with several leading British wine companies as a consultant and trainer, was Chairman of Education at the world-renowned Institute of Masters of Wine, where he trained aspiring wine experts and leads international seminars for the Institute. He is also Panel Chair for the prestigious International Wine Challenge, Senior Judge for the Decanter Magazine competition, and teaches at the London Wine Academy.
It is a delight working with Clive, his enthusiasm for English wine is infectious, as is his sense of humour! We are excited to create with him “The English Wine Box”.
Clive Says
“Working with Corkk is a great opportunity to source really characterful wines for people who have a passion for wine and expect good value rather than lowest price.”
He goes on to say: “This is a great chance for subscribers to enjoy wines from all over the country, to learn about the different producers and observe the dynamism of the wine industry. Subscribers can be part of the growth of English wine wherever they are in the country and experience the range in both still and sparkling wines. The future for the English wine industry is bright. The growers and winemakers have the skills and techniques necessary to make a great range of wines.”
Clive’s Background
Clive started his working life at a vineyard in Hampshire’s New Forest in the late 1980s. This inspired him to seek a career in the wine trade, learning more about wine professionally. He continued in the industry moving to the retail sector, working for supermarkets and specialist chains. During this time he studied wine at the Wine and Spirits Education Trust and the Institute of Masters of Wine. He became a Master of Wine in 1999.
Since then, he has worked with a number of companies in the UK, include Sothebys, Whitbread, Adnams, Waitrose, Lidl, Institute of Masters of Wine and others. He has also tasted for publications such as Decanter and Drinks Business as well as judging for Decanter World Wine Awards, SEVA and is currently a Panel Chair for IWC.
Ever since his introduction to English wines in Hampshire, Clive has been a keen observer of the rise and development of local vineyards and wineries. In 2019 he was one of the partners of the Canterbury Wine Festival, the first festival to celebrate the growing wine industry of the county. He is keen to see a further development of the English wine industry and was very happy to join Corkk to source and introduce great wines to a wider audience in the UK.