Newsflash: Nicola Cornelius wins Young Wine Writer's Award

Nicola Cornelius with her decanter and cheque

Nicola Cornelius is the winner of the 2009 Young Wine Writer of the Year Award sponsored by the Circle of Wine Writers and Pavillon Books. She emerged top of a very strong field of 17 and collected a cheque for £1000 to help her travel to the wine region of her choice plus a 14-day all expenses-paid to the wine regions of Australia courtesy of Wine Australia and Qantas. She also becomes a member of the Circle of Wine Writers for a year with the opportunity of continued membership on merit and received an engraved decanter.

Nicola is the second person to be hired under Liberty Wines apprenticeship scheme. She is now completing the final months of her apprenticeship training.

Douglas Blyde and Abi Tyler were the two runners up with Christian Bailey, Lee Bishop and Emily O’Hare also on the shortlist.The presentation was made during the Circle of Wine Writers annual Christmas party, which this year was generously hosted by Wine Australia.

Runner-up Abi Tyler receiving her prize from John McDonnell (Wine Australia, Ireland)

Douglas Blyde (Intoxicating Prose) was the other runner up but could not be present

See also report on IWC podium plus video interview with Nicola, the winner.

The party was so efficiently run by WineAustralia that the Circle's party organiser (Natasha Hughes) was able to put her feet up.