FINE Contributors

Rajiv Singhal

Rajiv Singhal studied Economics at Yale and is a first generation entrepreneur who simplified access to the Indian market for international clients. Rajiv set up the market for wine in India over the last 20 years and is the Ambassador of Champagne to India.

Ritu Singhal

Ritu Singhal co-founded Group Ritu, which has interests in publishing, international consulting, marketing, brand building, e-learning and private equity. Trained as a textile designer at Sophia Polytechnic in Bombay, Ritu is up for any gastronomic adventure as long as it is vegetarian.

Ch’ng Poh Tiong

Ch’ng Poh Tiong trained as a lawyer and is a consultant, judge and writer in the wine space. Author of many books, he specialises in Bordeaux. Poh Tiong plays the 7 string qin and is happiest when he laughs together with his daughter.

Stuart George

Stuart George founded Arden Fine & Rare Wines to offer a fine and rare wine experience to private clients. Privileged to have tasted vintages back to 1780, Stuart lives in London, plays the guitar and follows cricket in his free time.

Tyson Stelzer

Tyson Stelzer is an award-winning wine writer, television host and producer and international speaker. Chief Editor of the Halliday Wine Companion, he was named the Most Influential Opinion Maker in Meininger’s Annual Power List of Who’s Who in Australia. Wine show chairman and judge, he co-created The Great Australian Red Competition. He is a tutor at the Len Evens Tutorial. Author of 17 wine books, Tyson lives in Brisbane with his wife Rachael and sons Linden, Huon and Vaughn.

Livia Mokri

Livia Mokri is a freelance Hungarian wine writer based in Portugal. She studied engineering and diplomacy and worked in the public sector in Hungary before a holiday in Portugal changed her life - Livia chose to pursue her passion for wine and qualified as a Sommelier at the Wine & Gourmet Academy in Budapest. Livia plays the guitar and is eagerly waiting for travel to be allowed to lead wine tours in Southern Portugal as a certified Tour Guide.

Lara Victoria

Lara Victoria is highly qualified – WSET Diploma holder, Certified Educator, Sake Educator; Certified Specialist of Wine; Certified Sherry Educator – and trained as a pastry chef. Founder of Cru Classe Hospitality Corp, Lara lives in Vancouver with her family.

Adam Lechmere

Adam Lechmere has been writing about wine for about 17 years, including at BBC Online, and now contributes freelance to international publications. Adam travels frequently, judges wine competitions and lives in London with his wife and three daughters.

Mary Kae Irvin

Mary Kae Irvin is a wine educator and an accomplished actor and voice talent. Mary Kae enjoys quality time with friends, has never met a stranger and is committed to changing the world – one glass at a time.

Madhumita Bhattacharya

Madhumita Bhattacharya studied English Literature at St Xavier’s College, Calcutta and has been a journalist for around 15 years, writing on food, travel, and wine. Based in Bangalore, Madhumita writes novels and sees food and wine as the lens to understanding the world.

Pekka Nuikki

Pekka Nuikki is one of the leading experts on fine wines in Europe and has published acclaimed wines and art books. Pekka is an award-winning photographer and a very lucky man, having hit seven hole-in-ones.

Juha Lihtonen

Juha Lihtonen is a renowned Finnish sommelier who was Best Sommelier in the Nordic countries in 2003. Juha is a wine educator, a wine host on a radio programme, and the Editor of FINE magazines in his day job!

Essi Avellan

Essi Avellan is the first Master of Wine from Finland and holds a Master of Science degree in Business Administration. A champagne and sparkling wine specialist, Essi judges at several wine competitions and received Chevalier l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole by the French Agriculture Minister.

Meri Kukkavaara

Meri Kukkavaara studied art in Florence and is an interior designer, with interests in art and education. Meri is a keen student of life and in her few time enjoys taking up courses such as drumming, Indian cooking and tango.

Richard Juhlin

Richard Juhlin is a champagne connoisseur and expert, who is envied for the number of champagnes he has tasted – 12,000 – in his lifetime, and whose champagne books are much sought after. Richard was appointed Chevalier de Legion d’Honneur by the French President.

Peter Liem

Peter Liem migrated from California to Champagne for an insider’s view on his beloved wine region and came to be recognized as a spokesperson for the grower champagnes. Peter publishes the very comprehensive blog, champagneguide.net.

Amanda Regan

Amanda Regan has a Master’s degree in Wine Technology, Management & Marketing, experience of making wine in Champagne, Burgundy and Victoria and a background in art and design. Amanda has experience as a wine judge in major international competitions.

Andrew Caillard MW

Andrew Caillard MW founded the Langton’s wine auction house and the very prestigious Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine. A prolific writer and influencer, Andrew is a wine marketing graduate of Roseworthy Agricultural College.

Tim Triptree MW

Tim Triptree is the International Director of Wine & Spirits at Christie’s London. He received his MBA in Wine Business Management (with distinction) and qualified as a Master of Wine in 2018. He is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Vintners and Chevalier de l’Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne. Tim judges at international wine and spirit competitions and enjoys cooking – specially pairing food with wines – as he experiences different cultures and cuisines in his travels.

Dora Eva Hausel

Dora Eva Hausel is a blogger and winemaker from Tállya in the Tokaj wine region of Hungary. She studied in Hungary and Germany and has travelled the world – she learned a lot, but her desire for adventure has never worn off. Wine is a family tradition that she has been involved in since childhood and she worked as a winemaker before returning to Hungary to make her own wines under the brand Devawines.

Stephania Gobbi

Stephania Gobbi is a linguist and professional interpretor who loves to travel around the world exploring new cultures and territories – she has visited and lived in over 30 countries, experiencing the local life. ‘Grey’ London prompted her to enrol for a professional wine qualification and she became a sommelier out of love for all things wine. Stephania is versatile and curious, and is passionate about yoga, trekking in challenging terrains and ceramics.