The International Wine and Spirit Competition announces the shortlist for the ‘Julian Brind Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Wine Industry 2013’
The shortlist has been announced for the 2013 Julian Brind Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Wine Industry. The award, sponsored by Waitrose was created in 2012 to highlight an individual who demonstrates they have dedication to the industry and passion for real wine.
Those shortlisted are Julia Harding MW (Jancis Robinson), Catherine Monahan (Winestars World), Julia Stafford (Wine Pantry) and Xavier Rousset (Master Sommelier & owner of Texture Restaurant & 28°-50° Wine workshop & kitchen).
The late Julian Brind MW was a leading light in the wine trade, a longstanding judge of the IWSC and an integral part of the Waitrose wine team for over forty years. This award honours his contribution and service to the trade that he loved. He was a trusted and committed mentor to many aspiring young wine professionals.
The intended recipient will have established an early track record in their field, be seen to be ‘going places’, and will already be taking part in the wider aspects of the wine trade, showing commitment and determination in everything they do.
This year’s shortlist of candidates:
Julia Harding MW – JancisRobinson.com Julia has a degree in modern languages from Cambridge and has passed all the WSET exams before taking the Master of Wine in June 2003 where she achieved the top award in the exam and dissertation. She worked for Waitrose in the Wine Buying office for some years prior to accepting a job as Jancis Robinson’s first fulltime assistant. She has recently co-written, with Jancis Robinson and José Vouillamoz, the award-winning Wine Grapes.
Catherine Monahan – Winestars World Catherine Monahan has worked for large UK retailers such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco (via Cube Communications), and prominent global wine companies such as Hardy’s, Constellation Europe, Brandphoenix and Orbital Wines. Catherine founded Winestars World in March 2012, a new platform for wineries to be sold in the UK/International markets.
Julia Stafford – Wine Pantry Julia Stafford is the founder of Wine Pantry, the only speciality English wine store in the world, which now has two branches. After being snubbed by investors, she used her own financial backing to create a shop championing English wine. Julia has managed to create a focal point around English wine in a crowded market.
Xavier Rousset – Master Sommelier & owner of Texture Restaurant & 28°-50° Wine workshop & kitchen Rousset, 31, quickly rose to head sommelier at Hotel du Vin before moving to Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, which has two Michelin stars, and gained the top industry accolade, the Master Sommelier diploma at age 23. His restaurant, Texture, has just been awarded a Michelin star, and his more low-key version, 28°-50°, opened in the City of London to great acclaim in June this year.
The winner will be announced on 13th November at the International Wine & Spirit Competition’s Awards Banquet, which will be held at The Guildhall, London.
For more information please contact:
Harriet Chandler – Marketing Executive
harriet.chandler@iwscgroup.com
0203 176 6460
About the IWSC
The IWSC, which is widely considered to be the most prestigious, independent competition of its type in the world, was founded in 1969.
The competition is unique, in that there are two rigorous stages of judging – first, a professional blind tasting followed by a detailed chemical and microbiological analysis. This second stage is crucial as in some instances the results of this analysis may lead to marks being deducted or even outright rejection.
More than 300 wine specialists travel from around the world to the IWSC dedicated tasting rooms to judge the wines. The judges are a mixture of Masters of Wine, winemakers, trade specialists, journalists and sommeliers.
Those shortlisted are Julia Harding MW (Jancis Robinson), Catherine Monahan (Winestars World), Julia Stafford (Wine Pantry) and Xavier Rousset (Master Sommelier & owner of Texture Restaurant & 28°-50° Wine workshop & kitchen).
The late Julian Brind MW was a leading light in the wine trade, a longstanding judge of the IWSC and an integral part of the Waitrose wine team for over forty years. This award honours his contribution and service to the trade that he loved. He was a trusted and committed mentor to many aspiring young wine professionals.
The intended recipient will have established an early track record in their field, be seen to be ‘going places’, and will already be taking part in the wider aspects of the wine trade, showing commitment and determination in everything they do.
This year’s shortlist of candidates:
Julia Harding MW – JancisRobinson.com Julia has a degree in modern languages from Cambridge and has passed all the WSET exams before taking the Master of Wine in June 2003 where she achieved the top award in the exam and dissertation. She worked for Waitrose in the Wine Buying office for some years prior to accepting a job as Jancis Robinson’s first fulltime assistant. She has recently co-written, with Jancis Robinson and José Vouillamoz, the award-winning Wine Grapes.
Catherine Monahan – Winestars World Catherine Monahan has worked for large UK retailers such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco (via Cube Communications), and prominent global wine companies such as Hardy’s, Constellation Europe, Brandphoenix and Orbital Wines. Catherine founded Winestars World in March 2012, a new platform for wineries to be sold in the UK/International markets.
Julia Stafford – Wine Pantry Julia Stafford is the founder of Wine Pantry, the only speciality English wine store in the world, which now has two branches. After being snubbed by investors, she used her own financial backing to create a shop championing English wine. Julia has managed to create a focal point around English wine in a crowded market.
Xavier Rousset – Master Sommelier & owner of Texture Restaurant & 28°-50° Wine workshop & kitchen Rousset, 31, quickly rose to head sommelier at Hotel du Vin before moving to Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, which has two Michelin stars, and gained the top industry accolade, the Master Sommelier diploma at age 23. His restaurant, Texture, has just been awarded a Michelin star, and his more low-key version, 28°-50°, opened in the City of London to great acclaim in June this year.
The winner will be announced on 13th November at the International Wine & Spirit Competition’s Awards Banquet, which will be held at The Guildhall, London.
For more information please contact:
Harriet Chandler – Marketing Executive
harriet.chandler@iwscgroup.com
0203 176 6460
About the IWSC
The IWSC, which is widely considered to be the most prestigious, independent competition of its type in the world, was founded in 1969.
The competition is unique, in that there are two rigorous stages of judging – first, a professional blind tasting followed by a detailed chemical and microbiological analysis. This second stage is crucial as in some instances the results of this analysis may lead to marks being deducted or even outright rejection.
More than 300 wine specialists travel from around the world to the IWSC dedicated tasting rooms to judge the wines. The judges are a mixture of Masters of Wine, winemakers, trade specialists, journalists and sommeliers.
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