With a mission to demystify wine and remove some of the off-putting language around it, Jilly has found fame as the country's favourite wine expert helping audiences to understand, differentiate and enjoy all varieties of wine.


Biography

The nation’s favourite and best-known wine expert, Jilly Goolden has influenced not just drinking habits but the language of wine around the world.

From her first appearances on the BBC’s Food and Drink, watched by upto 8million viewers a week over the course of two decades, Jilly has battled the traditions and elitism of wine and ‘winespeak’. With enthusiasm and a flair for evocative language she has successfully replaced esoteric terminology with accessible similes everyone can understand (and enjoy), likening flavours and character to familiar ideas like buttered toast, the class swot, or trainers on hot tarmac.

As a journalist, Jilly has contributed to almost every UK national newspaper and many magazines, both popular and lifestyle titles, and those within the wine trade and wider food and drink sector. She is also the author of a number of books about wine (including as co-author of five volumes linked to the Food and Drink programme), helping people navigate the bewildering array of regions, grapes and vintages.

Jilly has also presented programmes on the BBC and ITV covering subjects including antiques, travel, food, and of course, wine, and has competed in I’m a Celebrity… and Celebrity MasterChef. Away from the media she also hosts wine experiences in her own Wine Room for groups from around the world.

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