Awards and citations:


1997: Le Prix du Champagne Lanson Noble Cuvée Award for investigations into Champagne for the Millennium investment scams

2001: Le Prix Champagne Lanson Ivory Award for investdrinks.org

2011: Vindic d'Or MMXI – 'Meilleur blog anti-1855'

2011: Robert M. Parker, Jnr: ‘This blogger...’:

2012: Born Digital Wine Awards: No Pay No Jay – best investigative wine story

2012: International Wine Challenge – Personality of the Year Award




Sunday, 11 January 2009

Ian Smallridge, Prestige Vintners

1976 Le Mont Demi-Sec,Vouvray SA Huet
Ian imported Huet wines for many years


Have just heard the very sad news that Ian Smallridge of Prestige Vintners died this morning. Ian had been ill for some time – first with cancer and then a heart problem.

Ian was a great Loire enthusiast and imported wines from many of the leading growers Huet, Couly-Dutheil and Lame Delisle Boucard (Domaine des Chesnaies, AC Bourgueil). Despite dealing with Loire producers over many years, Ian never learnt to speak French, he left that to his wife Therese.

He was also a lover of fine fino from Jerez. Even on trips to the Loire, Ian would make sure he took along a few bottles with him.

He was a man of great charm – one of nature’s gentlemen. My thoughts are with Therese and Ian's family.

Prestige Vintners
Lake Tawstock. Barnstable


1976 Le Mont Demi-Sec, Vouvray, Huet
Drank this as an aperitif on Friday night and showing wonderfully well. Burnished gold, honeyed complexity, a thrilling balance of quite rich fruit and austere acidity and great length. From a very hot year and showing no signs of decline, the 1976s should continue to delight for many years. A wine of pristine purity and undoubtedly a grand vin.

Its quality would have delighted, although not surprised, Ian.

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