2012 André Simon shortlist for drink books announced

André Simon: 1877-1970 

 Wine Grapes weighs in@3.074 kilos

  

There are five drinks books shortlisted this year for the André Simon Memorial Awards. The winner will be announced on 14th March 2013. The winner receives £2000, while those shortlisted each gets £200.

Drink
Brunello di Montalcino by Kerin O'Keefe published by University of California Press

How to Love Wine by Eric Asimov published by William Morrow

Pomerol by Neal Martin published by Wine-Journal Publishing (self-published)

Sherry, Manzanilla & Montilla by Peter Liem & Jesús Barquín published by Manutius

Wine Grapes by Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding, Dr José Vouillamoz published by Penguin Books 

The shortlist was drawn up by the trustees who include Julian Cotterell (chairman) Nick Lander, Sarah Jane Evans MW and David Gleave MW and the 2012 drinks book assessor Harry Eyres. David Gleave MW has replaced John Avery MW, who died earlier this year. As Lander is Mr Jancis Robinson he was not involved in the part of the discussion involving Wine Grapes. 

Although there was a stronger group of drinks books published this year, it will still be a major surprise if the blockbuster Wine Grapes does not win. 

The late John Avery MW at the 2011 André Simon Awards 

David Gleave MW  

 

Launch of Authentic Wine: Jamie Goode & Sam Harrop MW

 Jamie Goode and a copy of Authentic Wine

 
Sam Harrop MW
 

Jamie Goode and Sam Harrop launched their book Authentic Wine last evening at blind tasting and dinner at Artisan & Vine, Clapham Junction, London. The eight wines (4 white and 4 red) served blind were put up by Douglas Wregg and David Gleave MW. The diners had little difficult distinguishing between those selected by Douglas and those by David, especially when it came to the reds. Anything funky was from Douglas, while wines with more classical wines were David's. 

Kathryn O'Mara, owner and manager of Artisan & Vine  

 

Doug Wregg (left) of Les Caves de Pyréne and Anthony Rose 

David Gleave MW (Liberty Wines)

 Guy Woodward (editor of Decanter)

b

Dan Jago (Category Director (Beers, Wines and Spirits) at Tesco Stores Ltd)

Jamie Goode

Joe Wadsack

Robert McIntosh (Vrazon) ready to talk Turkey?

See here an account of the event  by Anne Krebiehl on harpers Wine & Spirit Trades Review. Also post on Jamie's Wine Anorak site here.

Wine writers' dinners to raise money for Haiti: 28th June 2010

David Gleave MW

David Gleave MW (Liberty Wines) and Tim Atkin MW were also at Terroirs on Thursday night metting to discuss their plan to persuade a number of wine writers to hold special dinners on 28th June to raise money for Haiti following the January earthquake.  

Message from Tim Atkin MW: 

'Some of you may remember that earlier in the year David Gleave and I came up with the idea of holding a series of charity wine dinners in selected restaurants around the UK to alleviate the terrible suffering in Haiti. The original idea was to do this in April, but we took the decision to postpone it so that we could get more peple on board.
 
David and I have now been joined by Willie Lebus and our committee of three has decided on a new night for the dinners - June 28th.
 
Our idea is that a wine writer or wine merchant should host each of these evenings and provide some decent bottles from his or her wine rack/cellar. The more splendid the better. If you feel that this is beyond you financially, there are a number of merchants who are prepared to donate wine. I also hope that the IWC also going to provide wine that was not used during the Challenge. Don't worry, we will choose medal-winning wines.
 
Could you let me know if you would be prepared to host a dinner for us? And if so, in which city or part of London. We will then get going on the restaurants. Some have already said that they will give us their premises and staff at cost for the evening. This will then enable us to get the maximum benefit out of the £50+ ticket price and donate it to Oxfam and Medecins sans Frontières.'

Tim Atkin MW

I'm hoping to hold one of these dinners which will feature Loire wines. It will be London. More details soon.