iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Simon J Woolf

@simonjwoolf.com

558 followers 451 following 325 posts

Writer, author & presenter. Lover of handmade beverages, food, coffee & electronic music. Books: Amber Revolution (2018, 2021), Foot Trodden (2021) (with Ryan Opaz) Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: themorningclaret.com Brit living in NL.

Posts Replies Media

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 14/08/2026

This is where AI is taking us, and why I'm so against its blanket use. www.independent.co.uk/tech/amazon-...

independent.co.uk

Amazon data center plant in Texas could become America’s biggest polluter

The data center’s on-site natural gas power plant could emit more than double the carbon dioxide released each year by the current record-holder

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 05/08/2026

An important petition created by a natural winemaker in Slovenian, to fight against a ridiculous change in Slovenian wine law which came into force this February. If you enjoy artisanal wines from Slovenia, please have a read and sign the petition. And share widely! www.change.org/p/a-petition...

Sign the Petition

A petition to change the new wine law and protect natural wine makers in Slovenia

Reposted by Simon J Woolf

Guardian US @us.theguardian.com · 04/08/2026

"It’s as if we launched a war against nature, and that has turned place after place into something that resembles a war zone," writes @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social. "The climate movement is a peace movement, a movement to end this war and its casualties."

theguardian.com

We launched a war on nature. Now we are in a climate warzone | Rebecca Solnit

Summer is not what it once was. We have been robbed of one of life’s great joys

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 05/08/2026

This is not good. From joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/projects-and...

Graph showing the amount of land in the EU burnt by wildfires in 2026, compared with 2025 (the previous worst year on record, now significantly exceeded in 2026) and the 20 year average.

As of 29 July 2026*, the area affected by fires has reached 434 976 hectares.

This exceeds both the area recorded by the same date in 2025 (the worst year on record) and the long-term average of the last 20 years (2006–2025).

*Data updated from EFFIS on 30 July 2026 at 8:18 CET.

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 27/07/2026

I really need to have a cat in my life.

Picture of a glass held in someone's hand with some beer in it. Engraved on the glass is the text "IT'S NOT Drinking alone IF THE CAT IS HOME"

Reposted by Simon J Woolf

American Association of Wine Economists AAWE @wineecon.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Regional Organic Vineyard Area in Italy, 2023

Reposted by Simon J Woolf

David Round MW @davidroundmw.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

I think we need a month-long campaign of getting everyone to make a big effort of encouragement by liking and reposting maybe a dozen or more posts a day. And following a few more people. It might create a virtuous circle of more activity and engagement being rewarded.

Reposted by Simon J Woolf

Jane Mayl🍷n 🍇 @janetrad.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

"Ever wondered how a baking hot region with 40C summer temperatures could produce fresh-tasting white wines?" @simonjwoolf.com reveals all

open.substack.com

The intervention no winemaker wants to talk about.

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 10/06/2026

Someone ticked me off for link-dumping my articles. But I haven't done it for a while and I think this one is rather fun. themorningclaret.com/p/no-one-wan...

themorningclaret.com

The intervention no winemaker wants to talk about.

Reposted by Simon J Woolf

Jane Mayl🍷n 🍇 @janetrad.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Some jolly good advice here from @simonjwoolf.com

open.substack.com

Bad Wine and How to Survive It

Words of advice on coping outside your wine bubble

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 09/05/2026

UK, you are going to hell.....

UK local council election results, showing a massive gain for Farage's Reform UK party and a massive loss for Labour. The only bright point is the gain in the number of Green councillors

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 08/05/2026

It's so much easier to stare at people in public these days. They're all looking at their phones with earphones in. They don't even notice.

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 03/05/2026

If you slide into my DMs asking for winery recommendations and treat me like an unpaid tour guide, rest assured the first thing I do is go check if you've subscribed to my site. If you're not a paying subscriber, I will either not respond at all, or I might just feed you misleading information.

media.tenor.com

a man in a white shirt is standing in front of a pink fence

Alt: Man shrugging as if to say 'not my problem bro'

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 02/05/2026

Love it when I discover a bottle at the back of the fridge with a glass left .. and after 10 days open, it's delicious - better than it was on the first day This is Domaine Didon's Bourgogne Blanc 2022, a natural wine from husband and wife David and Naïma Didon, who farm 2ha in Beaune.

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 30/04/2026

Thank you for a bit of realism here Andy.

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 30/04/2026

So today I've been shamed for a) posting my published articles here and b) using Substack as a publishing platform. Perhaps Bluesky is just too right on for me. But honestly, how am I supposed to get people to read my stuff or subscribe if I don't promote it? 1/3

Reposted by Simon J Woolf

Katie Mather @katiematherkm.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Staying on Twitter because the engagement is better is like going to a KKK crossburning for the networking opportunities

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 30/04/2026

Proud to publish my latest wine guide. I went on the hunt for affordable natural wines from Burgundy. A fool's errand? Read on to find out You'll need to game the free trial system or pay €7 - good value given that I spent weeks putting this together. themorningclaret.com/p/affordable...

themorningclaret.com

Affordable Natural Wine from Burgundy, Part 1

Can you find anything under €40 from this hyped region? I went on the hunt.

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 19/04/2026

I finally got to see an agricultural drone in action, spraying a vineyard treatment in Jerez. Here's what I discovered in terms of pros and cons. themorningclaret.com/p/these-are-...

themorningclaret.com

These Are the Drones You're Looking For

Is spraying vineyards with unmanned aircraft the future?

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 08/04/2026

"You want to spend how much?" asked my girlfriend incredulously... themorningclaret.com/p/why-is-dom...

themorningclaret.com

Is Domaine des Miroirs Worth the Money?

I bought a bottle of the Jura's most hyped wine to find out

Reposted by Simon J Woolf

Jane Mayl🍷n 🍇 @janetrad.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

“People will think they’re made from oranges.” The normally unrufflable @simonjwoolf.com gets just a teeny weeny bit ruffled about orange wine.

open.substack.com

Don't ******* Call it Skin Contact!

Why are some people pathologically unable to use the term orange wine?

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 19/03/2026

Who's in for one of the last two places? Set to be an amazing week filled with discussion, reflection, learning, conviviality, space for your thoughts, amazing food and wine.

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 05/03/2026

Lighthearted vicarious fun this week... and introducing my newest wine rating scheme: the Nerdometer™ and the Crushometer®. themorningclaret.com/p/geeks-go-w...

themorningclaret.com

Geeks Go Wild in Galicia

Three friends, fourteen bottles, the Nerdometer and the Crushometer.

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 12/02/2026

I tried to answer the question, how do you really define vegan wine? It's nothing like as easy as you might think. So I asked the experts. themorningclaret.com/p/the-truth-...

themorningclaret.com

The Truth About Vegan Wine

Get ready for a shock if you thought you were drinking ethically

Reposted by Simon J Woolf

Jane Mayl🍷n 🍇 @janetrad.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

"The CIVB’s marketing includes entertaining advice for French speakers on how to pronounce and differentiate claret from clairet with clarette offered as a phonetic guide to how ze eenglish massacre the former. If native speakers struggle, God knows how the rest of us will manage." @simonjwoolf.com

open.substack.com

Zero Zero Bordeaux

Essential additions to my 2025 Wine Guide, as the region tries to redefine claret

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 28/01/2026

Only four places remaining...

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 21/01/2026

All podcasts be like:

Reposted by Simon J Woolf

Katie Mather @katiematherkm.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

QUIT X. Remaining on that platform even as an unused username supports its legitimacy. You do not need it. Deactivate your account.

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 12/01/2026

Calling all wine and food writers, professional or aspiring. I'm hosting a residential course on non-fiction writing this May. We'll be based in a beautiful location in the hills of Vipava, Slovenia. Full details & how to book: themorningclaret.com/p/writing-co...

themorningclaret.com

Residential Writing Course with Simon J Woolf

Spend a week in the beautiful Slovenian countryside working on your writing

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 19/12/2025

I felt I couldn't ignore this topic any longer. I promise more seasonal cheer in next week's post! themorningclaret.com/p/the-last-t...

themorningclaret.com

The Last Topic I Wanted to Write About

But every wine lover needs to consider what the future holds

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 15/12/2025

@janetrad.bsky.social I thought you'd like this: vinalchemy.com

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 11/12/2025

Can wine change your life? I believe it can, because one bottle did just that for me, on two occasions. My story is published here - free for all to read: themorningclaret.com/p/can-wine-c...

themorningclaret.com

Can Wine Change Your Life?

How one bottle changed mine on two occasions

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 04/12/2025

The best part about publishing an article like this is that I get to read the discussion and the insightful comments from people much smarter than me. In that sense, my piece is like a straw man to incite others to put their thoughts down on the page. themorningclaret.com/p/growing-gr...

themorningclaret.com

Growing Grapes Under Glass

Could this be the future of vineyards?

Reposted by Simon J Woolf

Jane Mayl🍷n 🍇 @janetrad.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

The World Championship of Pâté en Croute just announced first prize...and it looks delicious. Entries were genuinely from around the world, with some brilliant offerings from Japan, but the winner Thibault Gonzales comes from Thuir, in the Pyrenees Orientales, near me.

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 02/12/2025

If you ever needed proof that China is an authoritarian country.....

Reposted by Simon J Woolf

intastebudswetrust.bsky.social @intastebudswetrust.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Really loved this article by @simonjwoolf.com Good food wine pairings exist, but you need to put the effort in to find the right match. And, importantly, the dish needs to leave some room for a wine to complement it. themorningclaret.com/p/does-the-p...

themorningclaret.com

Does the Perfect Wine Pairing Exist?

Maybe if you go for orange wine. Here's what changed my mind.

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 21/11/2025

I finally made it to China's most famous wine region - Ningxia. Some thoughts and profiles of Silver Heights Winery, Xiao-Pu (Ian Dai), Lingering Clouds and Helan September. themorningclaret.com/p/is-chinas-...

themorningclaret.com

Is China's Most Famous Wine Region Doomed?

Visiting the innovators in Ningxia

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 19/11/2025

Yes.This is exactly the problem. Thank you for this piece of clear thinking.

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 07/11/2025

No surprise I guess, this has drawn a huge amount of discussion already: themorningclaret.com/p/what-is-it...

themorningclaret.com

What is it with Natural Wine Haters?

I tried to understand the polemic that never stops

Reposted by Simon J Woolf

Jane Mayl🍷n 🍇 @janetrad.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

A match that allows both {food and wine} to shine is rarer than rocking horse shit. We nailed it by systematically trying wine after wine with bite after bite, until we found the combination that made us both stop in our tracks, speechless with its deliciousness. by @simonjwoolf.com

open.substack.com

Does the Perfect Wine Pairing Exist?

Maybe if you go for orange wine. Here's what changed my mind.

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 26/10/2025

More travel writing: I hunted down the best restaurants and natural wine haunts in Bangkok, during an amazing week back in April. Readers of @vanityfair.com can be assured all these places serve *really disgusting* orange wines too. themorningclaret.com/p/bangkok-un...

themorningclaret.com

Bangkok Uncorked

I hunted down the best natural wine addresses in one of Asia's most gastronomic cities

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 15/10/2025

Always fancied myself as a travel and food writer so I had a go (OK, it is about wine too). themorningclaret.com/p/holidays-a...

themorningclaret.com

Holidays and Wine

Trying to find the good stuff on a Greek island idyll

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 14/10/2025

"The people who make our lives more difficult don't arrive on rubber dinghies, they arrive on private jets" Ross Creer MSP on BBC Debate Night. Applies everywhere, not just the UK.

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 01/10/2025

themorningclaret.substack.com/p/natural-wi...

themorningclaret.substack.com

Natural Wine: A Dichotomy

Are we living a lie?

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 27/09/2025

Let no-one say I am not niche. themorningclaret.com/p/natural-wi...

themorningclaret.com

Natural Wine in Bulgaria

I tasted 14 wines to get a feel for what's going on in this south-east Balkan nation

Reposted by Simon J Woolf

Jane Mayl🍷n 🍇 @janetrad.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

"Left to its own devices, nature will create something more beautiful and unique than a packet of yeast ever could. You just need a little faith" More magic from @simonjwoolf.com

open.substack.com

It's a Kind of Magic

An ode to fermentation

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 30/08/2025

I spent a weekend at Gut Oggau, one of Austria's most iconic biodynamic wineries. They have many fans worldwide, but also detractors who think their slick marketing means they're too good to be true. Here's what I discovered. themorningclaret.com/p/the-real-d...

themorningclaret.com

The Real Deal at Gut Oggau

I spent a weekend immersed in biodynamics and cosmic energy

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 14/08/2025

A slightly snarky guide to Amsterdam's natural wine scene, with my off-piste favourites and a survival guide if you really want to do battle with the hipsters. Second half of the piece is for paying subscribers. It'll only cost you €5 to become one of them! themorningclaret.com/p/amsterdam-...

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 11/08/2025

Not sure about AI? Here's how to stop search engines from showing you AI answers in preference to actual web sites. Google: use www.udm14.com (performs google search with the option &udm=14) Better yet, change your default search engine to DuckDuckGo and don't forget to tweak this setting:

Simon J Woolf @simonjwoolf.com · 08/08/2025

So much this. 100 times this. Fuck ChatGPT, all AI actually. www.katiematherwrites.com/the-gulp/abs...

katiematherwrites.com

Absolutely Fuck ChatGPT — Katie Mather Writes

There’s a lot to get angry about when it comes to Generative AI, but something that really set me bleeding from the ears this week was learning that kitchen managers, chefs, even cocktail mixologists ...