DWWA 2009 – trophy judging and regional chairs' lunch

Sarah Kemp and a Decanter red coat
Sarah heads the team of dynamic women that runs DWWA

Steven Spurrier: chair of the judges

Today we finished the 2009 Decanter World Wine Awards judging with the regional chairs judging the regioanl trophy wines to discern the International Trophies. Once the judging was concluded we headed over the Thames to Putney for a very good and relaxed lunch at the Enoteca Turi in Putney High Street. As usual the lunch featured several, light-hearted awards presnted to the judges by Sarah Kemp.

The judging awards

John Avery, the distinguished wine merchant, won the youth prize

John Livingstone-Learmonth won the night watchman prize (horlicks and pyjamas) as his panel was always the last to finish

Marina Gayan MW, the new regional chair for Argentina, presented with her gift for keeping her panel in order

Marina Gayan MW and John Avery pose with their judges' gifts

Sophia Dempsey (one of the dynamic female DWWA team) with Andrew Jefford and Giles MacDonogh

Christelle Guibert (one of the dynamic female DWWA team), John Livingstone-Learmonth and Ch'ng Poh Tiong

Jane Hunt MW, Andrew Jefford, Stephen Brook and Richard Baudains

Enoteca Turi, 28 Putney High Street, London SW15 1SQ

Tel: 020-8785 4449
www.enotecaturi.com

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Chris Kissack has posted a reflective report on his site on judging on the Loire panel at the Decanter World Wine Awards. I was delighted to have Chris on the panel this year (although I'm not sure where he got the idea that only regional chairs can use cameras) and I thought that panel worked very well together.