FINE Contributors

Rajiv Singhal

Rajiv Singhal is a first generation entrepreneur, who has pioneered activities in the luxury sector and built the market for wine in India – glass-by-glass. He studied Economics at Yale, and decomplexifies the Indian market depuis 1993. Appointed Officier de l’Ordre de Mérite (Luxembourg) and Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite (France), Rajiv is the Ambassador of Champagne to India and loves to challenge himself.

Ritu Singhal

Ritu Singhal co-founded Delhi based Group Ritu in 1993 and is responsible for its luxury and publishing business. She trained as a textile designer at Sophia Polytechnic in Bombay and as part of her voluntary work, set up a crafts bazaar to empower women artisans. Ritu is the first Dame Chevalier de l’Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne from India and is up for any gastronomic adventure as long as its vegetarian.

Jean-Luc Barbier

Jean-Luc Barbier retired as Director General of Comité Champagne after a 37-year stint. He is President of the Champagne – UNESCO World Heritage Mission’s Scientific Council and teaches at Reims University. Trained as a lawyer in Strasbourg and Reims, Jean-Luc tirelessly protects Champagne’s ‘universal value’ and was conferred the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in 2016.

Gérard Liger-Belair

Gérard Liger-Belair has a PhD in Physical Sciences and is a Professor at the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne since 2017. His interests include the science of bubbles and foams in Champagne and sparkling beverages. Author of award-winning science books, Gerard plays tennis in competition and walks a lot to find inspiration in contact with nature.

Anne-Laure Domenichini

Anne-Laure Domenichini is the Communications Director for the Group Terroirs & Vignerons de Champagne, behind the Nicolas Feuillatte, Castelnau and Abelé 1757 brands. An award-winning journalist in the UK, she moved back to her native France in 2004 and has been working in – and for – Champagne since. Anne-Laure confesses to being self-obsessed by dramatic scenery and fine eating.

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.

Tim Triptree MW

Tim Triptree MW is the International Director of Wine & Spirits at Christie’s London. An MBA in Wine Business Management, he became a Master of Wine in 2018. A Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Vintners and Chevalier de l’Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne, Tim judges at international competitions and enjoys pairing wines with food that he experiences in his travels.

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.

Bhatia Dheeraj

Bhatia Dheeraj is a leading Sommelier who has worked at iconic properties around the world. He received the Judy Hurst Award in 2019, won the Ruinart Sommelier Challenge in 2017 and Best Sommelier at the World Gourmet Summit Singapore in 2011. Bhatia consulted for wine bars across Australia before joining The Lana Dorchester Collection Dubai as Head of Wine.

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.

Raphaella Holstaine

Raphaella Holstaine is a luxury afficionado and Gurugram-based blogger. She is French, grew up in Strasbourg and has worked on three continents – Europe, Africa, and Asia. A coloured gems gemologist and GIA graduate, she has a luxury MBA from Shanghai (China) and Firenze (Italy). Raphaella draws graphic stories and writes poetry.

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.

Bhisham Mansukhani

Bhisham Mansukhani contributes to FINE Magazines India alongside working for a fine wine importer. With 15 years of experience in business journalism in wines, spirits and hospitality, he has focused on India’s nascent wine industry and travelled to wine regions in France, Australia, South Africa, Chile and Argentina. Bhisham explores cuisine and volunteers with student and rural communities.

Udit Singhal

Udit Singhal works in Sustainable Finance in London. At 16, he founded Glass2Sand to convert glass waste into sand. Appointed one of 17 United Nations Young Leaders for the SDGs in 2020 and the youngest in Forbes India’s 30 Under 30 cohort in 2023, Udit also pursues art, unwinds on the golf course, and manages his family’s Champagne vineyards.

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 as she travelled the world, she sniffed as much knowledge as she could – she learned a lot, but her desire for adventure never wore off. Wine is a family tradition that she has been involved in since she was a child and she worked as a winemaker before she went back 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 to explore new cultures and territories – she rattles off more than 30 countries as destinations for her visits and long stays, where she lived to experience the local life. ‘Grey’ London made her enrol for a professional 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.

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.

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.