In October, I should have been in the Rhône Valley, tasting the 2019 vintage for review on JancisRobinson.com, but Covid-19 put an end to that idea. Instead, I went to Raffles hotel for a short staycation (hence the very indulgent poolside picture), but it was an unexpectedly quiet month for writing as a result.

At the same time, the #winebitch and CMS-A scandals were breaking, both of which are examples of the trade at its very worst, unfortunately. Not a good month for the wine world.

Here’s everything I wrote in October 2020.

• On JancisRobinson.com, I wrote:

  • my monthly column considered everything I got wrong about wine in Asia

  • as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, a look back on what has changed in the last 20 years of viticulture and vinification

  • Plus, a peppery wine of the week from Fred Loimer

The podcast I produce with Olly Smith released the last two episodes of series eight, starring Rev Richard Coles and Jimmy Doherty - and we also released two more episodes of our patron-only spin-off podcast

I also hosted four webinars for 67 Pall Mall, featuring three biodynamic winemakers: Michel Chapoutier, Nicolas Joly (Coulée de Serrant) and Fred Loimer - as well as Jeremy Muller from Peccavi in Margaret River.