Global wine legend awarded prestigious IWSC title - 2012

IWSC news

Mon 26 Mar 2012

THE International Wine and Spirit Competition’s coveted ‘Communicator of the Year’, backed by Veronafiere, has been awarded to one of America’s greatest living sommeliers, who is also the star of a cult film devoted to wine.
 
Charlie Arturaola, voted ‘one of the best 10 palates in the United States’ by the American Sommelier Association beat off competition from around the world to win the title which recognises an exceptional contribution to increasing awareness of wine and spirits.
 
Uruguayan-born Arturaola, who is fluent in five languages and has spent more than 25 years as cellar master, director of wine, sommelier and exclusive wine purchaser, was also the star of the award-winning 2010 film El Camino del Vino, The Way of Wine.
 
Miami-based Arturaola joins an impressive list of past winners including Jancis Robinson, Olly Smith, Susy Atkins, Oz Clarke and Tim Atkin. He will be formally introduced at this year’s Vinitaly exhibition when he will host a ‘varietal face-off’ tasting between five grapes.
 
IWSC’s Sales and Marketing Controller, David Kelly, said: “We’re delighted Charlie joins us as our 2012 Communicator of the Year, sponsored by Veronafiere. He is well-known name in culinary and oenological circles worldwide, and his charismatic approach, knowledge and enthusiasm, make him in demand everywhere.”
 
Arturaola left South America when he was 19, beginning his life-long passion for wine by studying in Bordeaux, since then he has become one of the most-respected wine experts in the world.
 
He said: “It’s an honour to receive this prestigious title from such an internationally respected organisation.”
 
Among other accolades, Arturaola was named Chevalier by France’s Ordre des Coteaux des Champagnes in 2005. As well as writing on wine for USA Today, he has been a featured sommelier and educator at many of the world’s greatest wine festivals and was honored as a Distinguish Visiting Sommelier at Johnson and Wales University in Miami.
 
 
 

Ends

 
* Charlie Arturaola, 2012 IWSC Communicator of the Year, sponsored by Veronafiere, will present ‘A Varietal Face-Off’ between Sauvignon Blanc/New Zealand - Chile; Pinot Grigio/Italy - California; Pinot Noir/ Argentina-Italy, Malbec/France - Argentina and Tempranillo/Spain-Portugal on Monday 26th March, 10:30am at Room Orchidea at Vinitaly 2012.
 
For further information, interviews or high-res images contact:
 
David Kelly, IWSC Group Sales & Marketing Controller, 01483 542 70 or e-mail:david.kelly@iwscgroup.com
or call Georgina Wroe on 07976 529763, or e-mail: Georgina@growpr.co.uk

 

Previous winners of the IWSC Communicator of the Year:

1996 Jancis Robinson MW - UK
1997 Anthony Dias Blue - USA
1998 Hugh Johnson - UK
1999 Hubrecht Duijkar - The Netherlands
2000 Carlo Petrini - Italy
2001 Andrew Jefford - UK
2002 Matthew Jukes - UK
2003 Max Allen - Australia
2004 Susy Atkins - UK
2005 Joe Wadsack - UK
2006 Oz Clarke - UK
2007 TimAtkin MW - UK
2008 Karen MacNeil - USA
2009 Olly Smith – UK
2010 Susie Barrie MW and Peter Richards MW – UK
2011 Jared Brown and Anistatia Miller – USA
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