From Ground to Glass

Join us on a journey of discovery through the wines and spirits of the Old and New World with From Ground to Glass. This book is not a textbook, but rather a guide for those who already have a love of alcoholic beverages and want to learn more about them. With over 65 years of experience in the industry, the author shares their knowledge and insights, highlighting the best quality wines and spirits at user-friendly prices, made with environmentally sound practices and minimal intervention. Follow along as we explore the world of alcohol, from the UK to the Middle East, Far East, Australia, South America, Europe, and India, and learn from the author’s experiences, including the founding of the Hong Kong Wine School. Join us and Alfie the cat as we delve into the delicious world of wine and spirits.

Christopher Baker is a professional wine and food educator, a writer of short stories, a contributor to journals on wine and other alcoholic beverages, on food, and, as a frustrated mariner, he writes stories on ships and shipping.

Chris is widely travelled having worked, apart from the UK, in Iraq, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Chile, Argentina, Italy and India, and was in Baghdad, Iraq for three years with the United Nations branch ILO, the International Labour Organisation, as an Expert in Food and Beverage Operations and Management, from 1980–1983.

Chris was the founder and Director of the Hong Kong Wine School which was the accredited regional course and examination centre for the Wine and Spirit Education Trust of Great Britain, carrying out courses to Certificate, Higher Certificate and Diploma levels not only in Hong Kong but in China, Macao, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, Chile, Argentina and India. The Hong Kong Wine School was in operation from 1990 to 2000. Chris retired in that year to return to the UK.

Chris has been a judge in International Wine Competitions in Hong Kong, Australia, Chile, Italy and Argentina. Chris has presented papers at the VIII and VIX Wine Technology Symposiums “Renato Ratti” in Verona, Italy, and conducted seminars during VINEXPO events in Hong Kong.

Chris lives in retirement in South Devon, England, with his cat Alfie.