James John MW, judge on the DWWA Port and Madeira panel in 2010
James John MW joined the wine trade in 1963 and he served his apprenticeship with Harveys of Bristol. James concentrated his early tasting experience on fortified wines, particularly Sherry, Port and Madeira, and became Harveys’ fortified wine blender. Appointed buyer for all Sherry requirements from Jerez for blending and bottling in Bristol, James dealt with the majority of bodegas in Jerez, Puerto de Santa Maria and Sanlucar for many years. He then moved to Oporto to support the blending and tasting of Cockburn’s Ports. John later became light wine buyer for Allied Lyons, director of Champagnes & Chateaux, chairman of Vermilion Fine Wines and principal of Bath Wine School. He has also been a regular wine panellist for Decanter and writer of copious wine lists and articles. Now retired from the wine trade, he runs a canal-side B&B with his wife Judy in Bath.
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