On the grapevine

New Yorkshire Master: It is the most difficult wine qualification in the world and more people have been into space than have passed the Master of Wine exam. Now Yorkshire has a new Master of Wine. Mike Best, who grew up in Tholthorpe and became interested in wine when he worked at the Durham Ox at Crayke.

He did the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) courses in York and even picked grapes at Yorkshire Heart vineyard before heading south to work for national importers and the WSET. Now he has passed the tortuous set of written and tasting exams to become, aged 31, the youngest Master of Wine. Congratulations.

If you want to become one yourself, first do the WSET courses, and then set aside several years to achieve your ambition.

Oz on English: In a year when the staycation has become a way of life, Oz Clarke’s English Wine (£16.99) is probably the most welcome wine book to arrive on the shelves. Not only does he describe how English wine has developed exponentially from the days when it was something to chortle about, he has made this book into an essential guide to the vineyards.

As always Oz’s style is easy, humorous and accurate. He talks about Simpson

Estate in the village of Barham, Kent, close to where he used to live. In fact, he became engaged in a field which is now planted with vines. However, aged just four the relationship was doomed to fail. Oz describes Hush Heath estate and tells you which pubs to stay at when you visit and he heads to Cornwall where he talks about Lyme Bay and a cycle ride.

He even describes the “Castleford terroir” of George Bowden’s Leventhorpe Vineyard. Oz covers the basics of soil, grapes and methods, but he also encourages you to get on your own bike and explore, taste and enjoy this, the newest New World wine country.