In memory of Yvonne May@the Young Wine Writer of the Year Award, November 2013

It is desperately sad that Yvonne May, director of Wine Australia Europe has lost her battle against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. She took extended leave from her post in April and there was then optimism that the disease had been caught in time. Sadly this optimism proved to be misplaced and Yvonne died on Friday 29th August aged 53.

Here are a few photos of Yvonne that I took last November at the Young Wine Writers of the Year Award held at Australia House, London. 

My thoughts and condolences are with David, her partner, and Yvonne's family.

 With the pianist – watching the award's ceremony

With Steven Spurrier and Hugh Jones (2013 Young Wine Writer)

 With the two runners up

2013 Young Wine Writer Award – a few more pics

 Hugh Jones – 2013 Young Wine Writer of the Year 

in the Downer Room, Australia House, London

The runners up: Michael O'Connell and Jennifer Ah-Kin

with Steven Spurrier (President of the Circle of Wine Writers)

and Yvonne May (Director of Wine Australia)

All the shortlisted candidates except Amanda Barnes who is in Argentina

Young Wine Writer of the Year 2013: the shortlist

Many congratulations to the following who have been shortlisted – their names are in alphabetical order:

Jennifer Ah-Kin
Amanda Barnes
Emma Cullen
Hugh Jones
Martin Klimmek
Sophia Luckett
Michael O'Connell
Jenny Smith
Janet Wang

There were nearly 50 entries this year and just as last year the overall standard was extremely high.

The winner will be announced on 20th November at a presentation of Australia House – Wine Australia is a major sponsor of the award. Further details about the award here.

2013 Young Wine Writer of Year Award

Calling for entries to the 2013 Young Wine Writer of the Year Award – 13th great year. Deadline for entries 30th September. Over the last few years competition for this prize, which has launched the careers of some now well established wine writers such as the first ever winner – Peter Richards MW – has really hotted up. The competition is open to anyone aged 30 or under on 31st December 2013.  

Full details here on www.youngwinewriter.com

The award is sponsored by the Circle of Wine Writers, Pavilion Books and Wine Australia.

Young Wine Writer of the Year 2012

Yesterday I finished judging the 33 entries for this year's Young Wine Writer of the Year Award. 33 is a record number for the award now in its 12th year.

I was impressed by the overall standard of the entries and choosing a shortlist of eight candidates was a hard task as there were some very fine pieces of writing from writers of natural talent. The best were those who wrote concisely and amde you want to read on. There is always a temptation to try too hard and some of the entrants fell into this trap. But it is encouraging that there is a pool of talent coming through. 

And the winner is....? I don't know yet. I have sent my list of suggestions in. We will have to see how far they accord with the views of the other judges: 

Circle of Wine Writers: Stuart Walton (chair of CWW0, Charles Metcalfe and Oz Clarke. 

Anova Books (publishers of Oz Clarke): Polly Powell (CEO) and Fiona Holman (editorial director).

Wine Australia.

The winner and the runners up will be announced on the evening of Monday 19th November at Australia House.

The Young Wine Writer Award has been sponsored since 2007 by Pavilion Books – the publishers of Oz Clarke and Michael Broadbent, in association with The Circle of Wine Writers and Wine Australia. The aim of the award is to help develop promising young wine writers.

 Barley Blyton: 2011 Young Wine Writer of the Year

 

Barley Blyton: 2011 Young Wine Writer of the Year

Barley Blyton 

On Monday night I was able to catch up with Barley, who was just back from LA, and take some photos of the 2011 Young Wine Writer of the Year on the occasion of The Circle of Wine Writers Christmas Party. Virginia Wine were The Circle's hosts this year. The party was held in the magnificent Old Hall of the Hon. Society of Lincoln's Inn in Central London. 

Barley and Steven Spurrier, president of the Circle of Wine Writers 

Barley with Yvonne May: director of Wine Australia – UK, Ireland and Europe

Jade Lucas (on-line communications: Wine Australia -UK) with Barley

The Young Wine Writer Award is sponsored by The Circle of Wine Writers, Wine Australia and Pavilion Books.

Young Wine Writer of the Year 2011: photos from last night's presentation

Matthew Brass (a runner-up), Oz Clarke (still eligible to enter next year), and Nicholas Jackson (a runner up)

Barley Blyton is the winner of the 2011 Young Wine Writer of the Year Award. Unfortunately she was away in Los Angeles, so unable to be present but many congratulations to her and all the entrants (some 25) for the high quality of their entries. Congratulations to the four runners up: Matthew Brass, Tom Constable, Nicolas Jackson and Hugh Jones. Tom and Hugh were also away. The presentation was hosted by Wine Australia at Australia House, LondonAustralian 

The previous winners of the YWWA: Peter Richards is now an MW 

Steven Spurrier, chairman of the Circle of Wine Writers

Yvonne May, director of Wine Australia UK - Ireland -Europe

Tense moments for Fiona Holman (Anova Books) in the lead up to the presentation 

Bottles of Australian wine for the runners up

Oz Clarke and Nicolas Jackson

 Matthew Brass

Nicolas Jackson

Oz, who accepted Barley's award on her behalf, making his keynote speech

Oz searching in vain for the winner's cheque and equally for his royalties

 The mangled envelope 

 Yvonne May enjoying the joke

 Oz still speaking...

 

Jonathan White, sales & marketing director, Anova Books 

Further snaps may be added.

Young Wine Writer of the Year 2011: Barley Blyton

Oz Clarke with the two runners up: Matthew Brass (left) and Nicolas Jackson

(Barley Blyton was in LA so unable to be present to receive her prize)

The Circle of Wine Writers is proud to announce the Young Wine Writer of the Year 2011 Award winner as Barley Blyton of Bristol. Ms Blyton won the award with her entry ‘A Journeying Introduction to South America and Her Wines’, winning over more than 25 other entrants.

The Award, now in its 11th year, is sponsored by Pavilion Books (publishers of Oz Clarke and Michael Broadbent MW) and the Circle of Wine Writers, together with Wine Australia. After much deliberation the judges short-listed (in alphabetical order): Barley Blyton, Matthew Brass, Nik Byrne, Tom Constable, Barbara Drew, Nicholas Jackson, Hugh Jones and Sean Tennyson.

This year the judges decided to announce four runners-up as there were so many high quality entries: Matthew Brass, Tom Constable, Nicholas Jackson and Hugh Jones who each received wine presented by Yvonne May, of Wine Australia.

Fiona Holman, Editorial Director of Pavilion Books, said: “This award aims to encourage new writing talent within the world of wine and to provide a real opportunity for some inspiring travel to the vineyards and wineries of Australia. We are looking for wine writing potential rather than extensive knowledge or experience. We had a record number of quality entries this year, which was most encouraging and I am sorry we could not give out more awards. I urge all this year’s entrants still eligible to enter again next year.”

Yvonne May, Director Wine Australia UK-Ireland_Europe, said: “I believe it’s important to support up and coming writers in the wine industry. With the rise in of amateur enthusiasts in the evolving online space we know that to stand out you have to be exceptional, and these writers certainly deliver. Our congratulations to Barley; we can’t wait to read her thoughts on Australia’s winemakers, wine regions and wine. Right now Australian wines are more diverse and exciting than ever, and we know that she will be absolutely buzzing from the trip.”

This year’s winner, Barley Blyton works for Davis Bell McCraith Wines, a wine merchant based in Bristol. Barley has an irrepressible passion for Italian wines. She entered the wine trade after finishing her degree in English and Italian literature where she spent most of her time in northern Italy cultivating her enthusiasm for food and wine. As well as a passion for the classic regions of the world, she has a penchant for Sherry and is now a trained official Sherry Educator. Barley was a shortlisted finalist for The Young Wine Writers Award in 2010.

The prizes for the 2011 winner include a £1000 cheque presented by Pavilion Books and, courtesy of Wine Australia, a two-week trip of a lifetime to the wine regions of Australia and a year’s free membership of the Circle of Wine Writers.

About the Young Wine Writer of the Year Awards

The Awards are aimed at encouraging and supporting new talent in the world of wine writing. While there are many well-established wine writers in the industry today, the Awards provide an opportunity for younger, less established writers to get a firm start in the world of wine. The announcement was celebrated last night at a reception at Australia House.

(photos to be added shortly)