I started to buy wine at auction in London in 1974 when quality French wine was so cheap. The 1970 vintage was superb and the 1969 and 1971 were good but huge in vloume. Prices had crashed. Today I drink mainly wine from the new world as French wine is to my mind overprcied for the quality unless you pay a fortune. I have visited vineyards and tasted wine on every continent with my wife whilst on holidays. The modern new world wineries are state off the art stainless steel facilities that welcome and cater for visitors. The owners have invested huge sums and often display great art and sculpture in beautiful garden settings. They are temples to the God Baccus. The small boutique wineries are the stars of the regions, making small quantities of excellent wine that never gets exported. Red wine is my passion. As a brewer I was trained to taste beer flavours but the same skills can be used to taste wine. I have indulged my photography hobby with vineyard visiting to record the wonderful memories. My main emphasis is on New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, North and South America. I would love to share my passion.