Celebrity Interview: Jilly Goolden

Jilly Goolden is almost single handedly responsible for the way wine is described today all over the world. On BBC TV’s iconic Food and Drink programme which launched her wine career in 1982, and went on to reach audiences of up to 8 million a week in the UK and a large international viewership too, she abandoned conventional ‘winespeak’ as being out of touch with her huge and diverse audience. Instead she started to describe wines in the much more vivid, accessible way that has become her trademark: ‘a whiff of hot buttered toast ‘ being much more evocative than ‘pedigree and finesse’.

She now shares her legendary wine expertise with intimate groups of tasters in her own home in Ashdown Forest, East Sussex, at Jilly Goolden’s Wine Room. Upcoming are French and Champagne and sparkling wine dedicated events.

Glass of Bubbly Interview

Where’s the most memorable place you’ve enjoyed a Glass of Bubbly?
In the Krug cellars, at the start of my wine career, tasting one of their last bottles of the 1928 vintage. Amazing story, amazing wine!

Which country would you tip in having an up and coming sparkling wine region?
England first choice, but look out for another cool-climate region: Tasmania. Some thrilling bubbles are coming from there.

What’s your thoughts on the future of English sparkling wine?
We have very similar conditions on the South Downs to those on the Montaign de Reims in Champagne (though just fractionally warmer, surprisingly). The sky is the limit with what we can do given the will and the wine-making talent.

What does Champagne mean to you?
I love Champagne and good sparkling wine and pop a cork with the smallest excuse.

www.jillygoolden.com