DWWA Regional Chair for the Rhône: Matt Walls
Matt Walls is an award-winning freelance wine writer, author, blogger and consultant, contributing regular articles to Decanter.
The DWWA Judges
Read the profiles of the world’s best wine tasters, and find out which judges sit on which panels.
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DWWA Regional Chair for Spain: Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW
Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW, an active member of numerous wine committees, is a wine writer, consultant and educator .
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DWWA Regional Chair for South Africa: Fiona McDonald
Fiona McDonald, trained news journalist turned wine writer, is Regional Chair for South Africa at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025.
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DWWA Regional Chair for Spain: Ferran Centelles
Ferran Centelles is a wine writer specialising in Spanish wine for JancisRobinson.com.
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DWWA Co-Chair: Ronan Sayburn MS
Ronan Sayburn MS, CEO for the Court of Master Sommeliers Europe, is a Co-Chair of the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).
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DWWA Regional Chair for Australia: Justin Knock MW
Justin Knock MW is the Director of Wine for Decant London, a fine wine merchant and importer based in central London.
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DWWA Co-Chair: Michael Hill Smith AM MW
Michael, wine producer, international wine judge, wine consultant, and occasional wine writer, is a DWWA Co-Chair.
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DWWA Co-Chair: Sarah Jane Evans MW
Sarah Jane MW, award-winning journalist, is a Co-Chair at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).
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DWWA Regional Chair for Asia: Ch'ng Poh Tiong
A lawyer by training, Poh Tiong Ch'ng published the world’s first Chinese Bordeaux Guide in 2000 and is the author of 100 Top Chinese Restaurants of the World.
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DWWA Co-Chair: Andrew Jefford
Andrew has been writing and broadcasting about wine since the 1980s, winning many awards for his work.
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DWWA Regional Chair for Argentina: Paz Levinson
Argentine Paz Levinson is Executive Head Sommelier for Groupe Pic and a wine educator.
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DWWA Regional Chair for Central Italy: Andy Howard MW
Andy Howard MW runs his own consultancy business, Vinetrades Ltd, which focuses on education, judging, investment and sourcing.
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DWWA Regional Chair for Alsace: Thierry Meyer
Thierry Meyer is the Regional Chair for Alsace at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025.
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DWWA judge profile: Peter Richards MW
Peter is a TV presenter, broadcaster, author and writer.
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Joseph Arthur
Senior wine buyer at Marks & Spencer. Based in the UK.
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James Davis MW
Master of Wine and General Manager of an English Winery. Based in the UK.
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DWWA judge profile: Moonsong Bang
Moonsong Bang is a wine educator and consultant in Seoul, South Korea.
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DWWA judge profile: Davide Buongiorno
Davide Buongiorno is an experienced sommelier and runs his own wine consultancy firm.
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DWWA Judge Profile: Darrel Joseph
Darrel Joseph is a wine writer, currently working on a wine book on the Balkan wine countries.
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Charlie Foley
Wine Auctioneer at Christie's. Based in the UK.
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DWWA judge profile: Dimitar Nikolov
Dimitar Nikolov is the Business Development Director at Apollo Wine, an online wine shop in Bulgaria.
