Senior Editor James Suckling Retires from Wine Spectator

James Suckling, who joined Wine Spectator in 1981 and has served as European bureau chief since 1988, has retired from the company.

Suckling’s tasting responsibilities have been reassigned. The wines will be reviewed in our standard blind-tastings in the company’s New York office.

Senior editor and tasting director Bruce Sanderson will oversee coverage of Italy. Sanderson, who has been with the magazine for 18 years, currently reviews the wines of Burgundy, Champagne and Germany. His most recent cover story was an in-depth analysis of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.

Senior editor James Molesworth, who is responsible for France’s Rhône Valley and Loire Valley, will add Bordeaux to his portfolio. Molesworth has been with Wine Spectator for 14 years. He also reviews the wines of Argentina, Chile and South Africa.

Managing editor Kim Marcus reviews the table wines of Portugal; he will now take responsibility for Port as well. Marcus, who joined Wine Spectator 23 years ago, also tastes the wines of Austria and southern France.

"James Suckling has been a significant contributor to the success of Wine Spectator,” said editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken. “He will be missed. We are very fortunate to have significant depth in our editorial team. Moving these tastings to New York, where we have a larger staff and better logistical control, will allow us to strengthen our coverage of these important wine regions."