DWWA 2012 judges

Steven Spurrier Decanter World WIne Awards Chairman

Steven Spurrier joined the wine trade in 1964 as a trainee with Londonâs oldest wine merchant. In 1970 he moved to Paris where he opened a small wine premises, which rapidly achieved recognition as one of the most highly regarded specialist wine shops in Paris. In 1973 he opened L'Academie du Vin, France's first private wine school, and went on to stage the famous Paris Tasting of 1976. He is also wine consultant to Singapore Airlines and consultant editor to Decanter, to which he contributes monthly. He has received several international awards for wine writing including the Bunch Prize and Le Prix de Champagne Lanson, for his articles in Decanter. He is the author of several books, his latest, The Clarke-Spurrier Guide to Fine Wine, was updated and reissued in 2001. That same year Spurrier was awarded Le Grand Prix de lâAcademie Internationale du Vin and The Maestro Award in honour of AndrÃ© Tchelistcheff. In 1988 he was made Le PersonalitÃ© de l'AnnÃ©e. Tom-Stevenson DWWA Alsace Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Tom Stevenson has over 35 yearsâ experience in wine and has specialised in Champagne since 1980. He is the author of 23 books, which have garnered 32 awards between them, including The Sothebyâs Wine Encyclopediaclass, which has sold over 700,000 copies in more than a dozen languages and is used as a standard reference for Master of Wine and Master Sommelier examinations all over the world. Tom has judged at wine competitions in France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Australia and the US. Nick-Clarke-MW.jpg DWWA Alsace Judging Panel

Nick Clarke MW joined Hedges & Butler in 1960 rising successfully to the position of Wine Buyer for Bass Charrington. He passed his Master of Wine exams in 1971 and in 1978 joined Henry C Collison, where he became Managing Director in 1981. He then moved to O W Loeb as a Director where he specialised in wine from Alsace among other regions. He currently sources new agencies for Dreyfus Ashby Panos-Kakaviatos.jpg DWWA Alsace Judging Panel

Panos Kakaviatos is an American of Greek origin who takes advantage of his base in Strasbourg to regularly visit the great vineyards of France. He writes about wine for various publications, including Decanter and publishes a blog connectionstowine.com. Panos also organises tasting events for wineries he likes and for luxury hotel restaurants in Germany and in the US. Panos is a trained journalist whose day job is as a press attachÃ© for the Council of Europe. Panos is currently researching to write a book on French wine. Antony-Moss-MW.jpg DWWA Alsace Judging Panel

Antony Moss MW entered the wine industry in 1999 as a sales adviser for wine merchant S. H. Jones. Following that he moved to London first to work for Thresher and then Sainsbury's, during which time he also completed his WSET Diploma and earned the Austrian Wine Academy Prize. In 2004 Antony won a place on the Len Evans Tutorial in the Hunter Valley. That year also saw him join the WSET as Research and Development Assistant. He became part of the WSET Senior Management team in 2008 and has overseen the development of the WSETâs educator training program. He has implemented the new WSET Level 2 Award in Wine Service which came about due to research for his MW thesis. Beverley-Blanning-MW.jpg DWWA Alsace Judging Panel

Beverley Blanning MW is a London-based independent wine journalist and the author of Wine Tasting and Biodynamics in Wine. She is a feature writer and taster for Decanter and a contributor to other publications around the world. Beverley has judged at numerous wine competitions internationally. She is also a presenter and educator for corporate, consumer and trade events, including the Christie's Wine Course. She became a Master of Wine in 2001. Laurent-Chaniac.jpg DWWA Alsace Judging Panel

Laurent Chaniac is food and wine consultant to The Cinnamon Club and Kitchen in London where his expertise in matching wines to Indian cuisine has become very popular. He has been described as a sommelier who âhas pioneered some revolutionary ideas on pairing wine with the constantly evolving Indian flavours." He has also worked in various managerial positions with some of London's finest dining experiences for years, including L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, The Square Restaurant and The Stafford Hotel, all part of the group holding 25 Michelin stars. Margaret-Rand.jpg DWWA Alsace Judging Panel

Margaret Rand is a past Editor of Wine Magazine, Wine & Spirit International and Whisky Magazine. She now writes for World of Fine Wine, Drinks Business, Decanter, Square Meal and the FT among others, and is General Editor of Hugh Johnsonâs Pocket Wine Book. She is the co-author with Oz Clarke of Grapes & Wines, and her latest book, Exploring Wine, will be published by Anova Books when they get round to it. Marcel-Orford-Williams.jpg DWWA Alsace Judging Panel

Marcel Orford-Williams joined The Wine Society as a Buyer in 1986 where he has become a specialist for Alsace, Champagne and Southern France, including the RhÃ´ne, Languedoc-Roussillon, Beaujolais and the South-West. In recognition of his services to French wine, Orford-Williams was made Chevalier de lâOrdre du MÃ©rite Agricole. Marina-Gayan-MW DWWA Argentina Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Marina Gayan MW is Argentinaâs only Master of Wine. She passed her Master of Wine exams in 2003, receiving the Villa Maria Award for the best overall paper on viticulture and winemaking. Following seven years with Catena Zapata, Marina worked for BRL Hardy as Head of Brands and as Vice President of Constellationâs premium wine division. Marina currently runs Marina Consulting, her own consultancy firm in London, which advises on strategic wine matters. Matthew-Waldin.jpg DWWA Argentina Judging Panel

Monty Waldin has worked in vineyards and wineries of all shapes and sizes in both hemispheres. A specialist writer, speaker and consultant on biodynamic wine, Monty was the subject of the first ever television series, Channel Four's Chateau Monty, which aired in 2008, to document the production of biodynamic wine from pruning to bottling. Phil-Crozier.jpg DWWA Argentina Judging Panel

Phil Crozier is Director of Wine for Gaucho and is responsible for the restaurantâs wine list, including its 200 Argentine wines. Phil also manages the Gaucho-owned vineyard in Lulunta, Mendoza, which is planted with 80 year old Malbec vines and from which comes the delicious ViÃ±a Patricia. Phil is currently also involved in producing the Corte G range of varietal and blended wines in conjunction with one of Argentinaâs main producers. Goran-Klintberg.jpg DWWA Argentina Judging Panel

GÃ¶ran Klintberg has been involved in the Swedish wine 25 years where he has worked as a bartender, sommelier and manager for numerous restaurants. In 2006, he was elected President of the Swedish Sommelier Association and in 2009 became a Wine Buyer for the Swedish off-trade monopoly, Systembolaget, where he is responsible for wines from Argentina and Portugal as well as for sake and Swedish GlÃ¶gg. GÃ¶ran holds the WSET Advanced Certificate and is currently studying for his Diploma. When he is not doing something wine-related, GÃ¶ran enjoys a secondary career as a singer/songwriter and has released a number of CDs. Magandeep-Singh-.jpg DWWA Argentina Judging Panel

Magandeep Singh is Indiaâs first French-qualified sommelier and professional wine taster. Since qualifying about ten years ago, Magandeep has worked in India where he consults via his company Wi-Not Beverage Solutions. He is also an established freelance wine, food, travel, and lifestyle writer with regular columns in several national newspapers and magazines, and he has conducted wine training workshops across India for the most prestigious on- and off-trade establishments. He is the author of Wine Wisdom which is now in its third edition and was awarded the Silver Medal at the World Gourmand Awards as an educational reference. Magandeep and his Wi-Not partners recently inaugurated Indiaâs first ever accredited wine school, the âInstitute of Wine + Beverage Studiesâ, in New Delhi.

Margaret-Rand. DWWA Argentina Judging Panel

Margaret Rand is a past Editor of Wine Magazine, Wine & Spirit International and Whisky Magazine. She now writes for World of Fine Wine, Drinks Business, Decanter, Square Meal and the FT among others, and is General Editor of Hugh Johnsonâs Pocket Wine Book. She is the co-author with Oz Clarke of Grapes & Wines, and her latest book, Exploring Wine, will be published by Anova Books when they get round to it. Andres-Rosberg.jpg DWWA Argentina Judging Panel

Andres Rosberg is one of Argentina's first professional sommeliers and a founding member and the President of the Argentine Sommelier Association. He judges in international wine contests in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and China, and tastes for the Austral Spectator Argentine wine guide. He is a regular contributor for Placer and UVA magazines and www.layemadelgusto.com and hosts various wine-related radio and TV programs. His day job is Managing Director of the Los Arbolitos Vineyard Trust, a 409ha finca in the heart of Mendoza, where he is coordinating the development of a top-end vineyard. Dirceu-Junior-Vianna-MW.jpg DWWA Argentina Judging Panel

Dirceu Vianna Junior MW, aka Junior, is originally from Brazil where he studied Forest Engineering and Law before moving to London in 1989. He joined the wine trade one year later. In 2008, he became the first South American male Master of Wine and received the ViÃ±a Errazuriz Award for Excellence in the Business of Wine. Junior is currently the Wine Director at Coe Vintners. He is also a wine educator, technical consultant, a freelance writer, a wine judge, a speaker at several wine events, and he has made appearances in South American radio and television. Fabricio-Portelli.jpg DWWA Argentina Judging Panel

Fabricio Portelli is a professional sommelier and has been a contributor and the editor of a number of Argentine wine and food magazines since 2000. Since 2002, he has judged in several international wine competitions, and regularly travels the world visiting wine regions. Since 2008, he has been Director of El Conocedor Multimedia, an organisation involved in the publication, production and organisation of wine-related journals and books, radio and television programs, and a fair respectively. Fabricio loves wine and is striving to become a national and international reference for Argentine wine. Gerd-Stepp.jpg DWWA Argentina Judging Panel

Gerd Steppâs family has been growing grapes in the Pfalz for generations. He himself has been in the wine trade for 24 years during which time he has worked in Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Italy and the UK. For ten of those years Gerd was a Winemaker for Marks and Spencer. In 2009 Gerd set up a winery at the site of Stepp Family Vineyards where he now makes wine. He also consults on various wine-related matters. Anthony-Rose DWWA Australia Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Anthony Rose is the wine correspondent of the Independent and a regular contributor to Decanter, The World of Fine Wine, Fine Drink China and Shanghai Daily. One of his specialist areas is wine investment on which he contributes to Jancis Robinsonâs Oxford Companion to Wine. He has won several awards for his writing, including three Glenfiddich Wine Writer of the Year awards and a Louis Roederer International Wine Columnist of the Year Award. He teaches the Leiths School of Food & Wine Certificate and chairs the Decanter Wine Retailer Awards panel. He is co-chairman of the Sake International Challenge in Tokyo. He is a founding member of The Wine Gang (www.thewinegang.com) and also has a blog on his website (www.anthonyrosewine.com). Michael-Hill-Smith-MW.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Michael Hill-Smith MW was the first Australian Master of Wine, passing his exams in 1988. Michael is a wine producer, international wine judge, wine consultant, wine writer and lapsed restaurateur. In 2008 he was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for his contribution to the Australian Wine Industry and he featured in Decanterâs Power List in 2009 and 2011. Michael believes passionately in the future of Australian Fine Wine and, together with Steven Spurrier and Jeannie Cho Lee MW, is responsible for the selection of wines served on Singapore Airlines. Dawn-Davies.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Dawn Davies is the wine and spirits buyer for Selfridges. Previously, she worked as Head Sommelier and Restaurant Manager at The Ledbury in Notting Hill, as Sommelier at The Square restaurant in Mayfair, and as Head Sommelier at Boxwood CafÃ© (Gordon Ramsay) and Zuma. At Selfridges, Dawn helps people select wines, gives advice on how to set up a new cellar, or just helps with the growth of an established one. Gavin-Monery.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Gavin Monery began his career in wine as a cellar hand in Margaret River in 2000. Over the next three years he worked his way up to Cellar Supervisor, whilst studying Viticulture/Oenology at Curtin University part time. He then moved to super-premium, biodynamic Cullen Wines in early 2004. In 2006, Gavin embarked on a year-long trip through Canada, the USA and Central & South America, eventually returning to Margaret River in 2007 to do the harvest at Moss Wood. Keen to explore further, Gavin moved to the UK in late 2007, joining Roberson Wines to manage their private clients shortly afterward. Since being in Europe, Gavin he has completed two harvests in Burgundy (Alex Gambal & Remoissenet) and one in the Rhone (J.L Chave), whilst selflessly attempting to sample as many of the worldâs wines as possible. Alessandro-Marchesan.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Alessandro Marchesan started his wine career as a bartender at various restaurants in his hometown of Venice, including the Cipriani Hotel. He moved to London in 1999 to work at Kensington Place Restaurant in Notting Hill. In 2003 Alessandro won the Dan Pontifex Award which sponsored a six-week course in Australia after which he joined Zuma as a Sommelier. During this time he was awarded the title of UK Sommelier of the Year by Harpers and Queen. He currently works as Group Sommelier and Wine Buyer for Zuma and Roka and is responsible for wine operations of these restaurants in London, Asia, the US and the Middle East. Since 2004, he has co-owned Mas la Mola, a boutique winery in Priorat. Andrew-Shaw.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Andrew Shaw has spent his entire working life in the wine trade. Starting in a vineyard in Somerset while a teenager, he spent time with Oddbins as branch manager in West Country stores before doing vintages in New Zealand and Burgundy. In 2002 he helped set up the award-winning independent wine merchant Stone, Vine & Sun before joining the wine buying team at Waitrose in 2007 to look after Australia and Italy. Since July 2010 he has been Buying Manager of Waitroseâs Wine Department where he leads his team of buyers whilst still being responsible for his specialist areas. David-Jean.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

David Jean has always been fascinated by aromas and flavours with the result that he chose to study Enology in Switzerland. After graduating in 2005 he became a Wine Buyer for Coop Switzerland with responsibility for the Swiss, French, Austrian and German categories. In 2008 he moved to Stockholm to work as Buyer for the Swedish Retail monopoly Systembolaget with responsibility for Australia, North America and Eastern Europe. He is also strongly involved in their QC/QA-program. He has been a judge at the Mondial du Pinot Noir for several years. In his free time he enjoys travelling and discovering new cultures. He is currently studying for his MW. Barry-Dick.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Barry Dick holds a degree in Food Science and a postgraduate Diploma in Winemaking from the University of Adelaide, Australia. He has worked several vintages in the Old and New World. He then moved to London to work for Sainsburyâs where he was responsible for the quality of own-brand wines from France, Australia, New Zealand and California as well as the sparkling wine category. He is studying to become a Master of Wine.Barry currently works as a wine industry consultant for wine producers and UK retail. He is studying to become a Master of Wine. Magandeep-Singh.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Magandeep Singh is Indiaâs first French-qualified sommelier and professional wine taster. Since qualifying about ten years ago, Magandeep has worked in India where he consults via his company Wi-Not Beverage Solutions. He is also an established freelance wine, food, travel, and lifestyle writer with regular columns in several national newspapers and magazines, and he has conducted wine training workshops across India for the most prestigious on- and off-trade establishments. He is the author of Wine Wisdom which is now in its third edition and was awarded the Silver Medal at the World Gourmand Awards as an educational reference. Magandeep and his Wi-Not partners recently inaugurated Indiaâs first ever accredited wine school, the âInstitute of Wine + Beverage Studiesâ, in New Delhi. Justin-Knock-MW.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Justin Knock MW holds science degrees in Food Technology and Industrial Chemistry. His wine career began in fine wine retail before joining dâArenberg in McLaren Vale as a cellarhand. He moved to the Hunter and became Research Winemaker for Rosemount and then Southcorp, followed by three years winemaking in Margaret River. He moved to London to look after Southcorpâs wine education programme, media activities and local production in the UK and Europe, and more recently he held a position as Wine Buying Manager for Treasury Wine Estates sourcing wine from New World origins. Justin is now director of The Purple Hand Wine Company, a blending and sourcing consultancy. Based in London he works extensively in the Scandinavian markets and makes wine in Australiaâs Yarra Valley. Jeremy-Dixon.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Jeremy Dixon is a freelance wine writer and marketing consultant with clients including Averys, Laithwaites and ASC-Wines in Hong Kong. Originally from Australia, he studied a BA in French with before moving to the UK in the early 90âs to pursue a career in the wine trade, subsequently completing the WSET Diploma and managing the AndrÃ© Simon Wine Shop in Belgravia before attending the Bordeaux Universityâs Institute of Oenology to study their University Diploma in Wine Tasting Aptitude. Over the years he has worked for Direct Wines, ChÃ¢teauonline.com and The Half Bottle Wine Company, where has was also a buyer. Hamish-Anderson.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Hamish Anderson started his career in wine at Bibendum, the original Conran restaurant in the Michelin building. During his tenure there, he took WSET qualifications. In 2003, he published his first book, Vino: Great Wine for Everyday Life which sold over 15,000 copies. Hamish is currently Head Sommelier and Wine Buyer for Tate. Peter-Nixson.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Peter Nixson joined British Airways as an airline steward in 1973 âhaving never drunk a glass of wine in his life. Through his job he visited places including California, South Africa and Australia just when their wine industries were starting to establish themselves. His interest in wine grew and, in 1982, he began to take courses at the WSET and earned his Diploma with Honours in 1986. In 1987 he joined BAâs newly created Wine Department taking over its management in 1989. For the next 20 years, he was responsible for the selection of all BAâs wines â over 450,000 cases a year â including the Concorde Cellar. Peter left BA in 2009 and now works for Vinum, a specialist importer of Italian wines. Nigel-Wilkinson-MS.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Nigel Wilkinson MS is the Fine Dining Account Manager for Boutinot Wines. Nigel became a Master Sommelier in 2005 and is now the Assistant Secretary for the Court of Master Sommeliers European Chapter. Before entering the wine trade, Nigel was twice runner-up in the UK Sommelier of the Year Competition and was named âYoung Wine Server of the Yearâ in 1999. Nigel lives in North Wales with his wife Joy and his two sons Owain and Aled. Mai-Tjemsland-MW.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel Mai Tjemsland MW is an Oslo-based restaurateur with her own company GastroConsult AS. She holds a BI in Business Economy and Marketing, was certificated as a Sommelier in 1996 and became a Master of Wine in 2009. Claiming Italy is her favourite wine country, Mai has worked internationally in the hospitality industry for over 25 years and now oversees her own restaurant and catering companies. Alongside this, Mai lectures at sommelier schools, the WSET and the Institute of Masters of Wine as well as consulting for importers and holding Masterclasses on subjects including New Trends in Chile, California, and Food and Wine in Harmony.

Poh-Tiong-Ch'ng.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

A lawyer by training, Châng Poh Tiong is publisher of The Singapore Wine Review and also writes a weekly wine blog on www.sina.com, one of Chinaâs largest internet portals. In 2000 he published the worldâs first Guide to Bordeaux in Chinese and, later on, www.chinesebordeauxguide.com, the worldâs first bilingual Chinese/English website on Bordeaux wine. He founded the International Congress of Chinese Cuisine & Wine and www.vinovideos.com, the worldâs first Chinese/English website devoted entirely to wine videos. Châng is author of 108 Great Chinese Dishes Paired, which is also an ebook at www.108chinesepairings.com. Rhys-Pender-MW.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Rhys Pender MW is a wine educator, consultant, judge and freelance writer contactable via his company Wine Plus+ and his website www.rhyspender.com. He writes for a number of publications, judges internationally and is increasingly becoming recognised as one of Canadaâs leading experts in the wine business. In 2008 Rhys was named as one of the âTop 40 Foodies Under 40â in Western Canada by Western Living magazine, and in 2010 Rhys became Canadaâs youngest Master of Wine. His career plan is to wait for Robert Parker to retire so he can finally claim back his initials RP for wine reviews. Rebecca-Palmer.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Rebecca Palmer is Associate Director and Buyer for the Corney & Barrow Group based in London and Hong Kong. As Head of Commercial Buying, she is responsible for the core portfolio of both Corney & Barrowâs Merchanting and Wine Barsâ businesses, covering all world regions except Bordeaux. Prior to working for Corney & Barrow, Rebecca was a buyer at Direct Wines (Laithwaites), specialising in France and South America. A modern languages graduate, she has worked in the wine trade for over 15 years. Rebecca-Leung.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Roger-Jones.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Roger Jones owns the Michelin-starred âThe Harrow at Little Bedwynâ, and combines his kitchen duties with a love of wine and frequent visits to Australia to enhance the 350 Australian wines from his 1,000-bin list. Roger also consults and advises numerous corporate companies. He is a 'Fellow' of The Master Chefs of Great Britain, and sits on their Executive Committee. He works closely with both Westminster and Swindon Catering Colleges, as well as with schools all over the South West. He is also involved in charity work, both as host of numerous cookery events, and through running in The London Marathon (usually a few days after DWWA Judging Week!). He has recently raised Â£80,000 for SCOPE and achieved a Guinness World Record. Tim-Wildman-MW.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Tim Wildman MW hitch-hiked around Australia in 1989 beginning his love affair with wine after drinking a bottle of Tyrrell's 1986 Hunter Valley VAT 47 Chardonnay from a plastic cup with the owners of a camper van. He passed his MW in 2008, writing his dissertation on attitudes towards Australian wine in the UK market. In 2009 he launched Winetec, an education and consultancy company, and in 2010, Tim established James Busby Travel, a travel company set up with the aim of taking the up-and-coming generation of wine trade professionals to Australia's vineyards, thereby completing the circle that began more than 20 years ago with a bottle of Hunter Valley Chardonnay. Tony-Jordan.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Dr Tony Jordanâs early career spanned scientific research, lecturing in Oenology at Charles Sturt University and winemaking consulting as a partner in Oenotec Pty Ltd. Tony then joined the MoÃ«t Hennessy group, first as Managing Director / Winemaker for Domaine Chandon Australia and from 2003 as CEO of Domaine Chandon Australia, Cape Mentelle and Cloudy Bay NZ. After 21 successful years, Tony revived Oenotec Pty Ltd in 2008 and currently consults on winemaking, viticulture and wine business to wine companies in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, China and India. He is also a board member of the Wine Australia Corporation and a past President of the Yarra Valley Wine Growers Association and of the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology. In his spare time he looks after his small Yarra Valley vineyard and mini arboretum and enjoys travel,walking as well as a wine or two. Virginia-Philip-MS.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Virginia Philip MS is in her eleventh year at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida, where she maintains and oversees the beverage departments for nine restaurants and bars, and their 14 wine lists, including the 1,600-selection list at LâEscalier, the resortâs signature restaurant which has won the Wine Spectatorâs Grand Award every year since its inception in 1981. Prior to her arrival at The Breakers, Virginia worked at many accredited resorts and restaurants throughout the USA, most notably The Little Nell, a Five Diamond/Five Star resort in Aspen, and was the Wine Buyer for 36 stores in San Antonio, Texas. Viriginia won the title of Best Sommelier of the United States in 2002, owns the Virginia Philip Wine Shop and Academy in West Palm Beach and has developed a wine program for Stephaneâs, set to debut this year. Richard-Hemming.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Richard Hemming started working in wine retail in 2001. After completing the WSET Diploma in 2007, he went to McLaren Vale and survived the 2008 vintage as a cellar hand. While there, he started writing about his experiences for www.JancisRobinson.com and now writes articles and tasting notes for the site every week. Richard is also drinks writer for Sainsburyâs Magazine and has been published by Decanter, The Drinks Business, Harpers Wine & Spirit, and The World of Fine Wine. Alongside writing, Richard tutors for the London Wine Academy and runs wine dinners at the Bull & Last in Highgate. He has also worked as a viticultural assistant for Gusbourne Estate in Kent and offers cellar consultation services to private clients. Richard was runner-up for the Young Wine Writer Award in 2007 and 2008, and shortlisted for the Louis Roederer Emerging Wine Writer Award 2010. He is currently completing his MW. Simon-Thorpe-MW.jpg DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Simon Thorpe MW has more than 20 yearsâ experience in the wine trade, with roles at Fortnum and Mason, Waitrose, and Constellation Europe. In 2009 he was appointed Managing Director at Negociants UK. Simon has been an MW since 1997. Giles-MacDonongh DWWA Austria Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Giles MacDonogh has been writing for various international newspapers and magazines and broadcasting on the radio and on television since 1985. He is also the author of fourteen books which have been translated into nine languages. Four of these are about wine in general, and two of them are about Austrian wine which he helped rescue from the doldrums after 1985. Giles is currently writing a history of modern Germany.

Anthony-Barne-MW.jpg DWWA Austria Judging Panel

Anthony Barne joined the Wine Trade from the Army in 1978, having taken advantage of the endless possibilities for wine tasting during his posting to Gibraltar. He learned his craft in a wine shop in Tunbridge Wells, escaping to Burgundy to work at the Domaine ThÃ©nard and, subsequently, at Seppeltâs in South Australia. His career until 1992 was in mail order and wine buying, first with Hicks & Don, where he passed the Master of Wine exam in 1985, and for whom he still acts as buying consultant, and then Harveys of Bristol. Since then he has been a wine auctioneer, currently working for Bonhams in London as UK Head of Wine, where his main pre-occupation is with the classic wine regions of France, Vintage Port and Madeira, although he has many other interests, including Austria, Germany, Tokaji and Australia. Gearoid-Devaney-MS.jpg DWWA Austria Judging Panel

Gearoid Devaney MS is currently working for Flint wines, an independent merchant based in London. He was voted UK Sommelier of the Year 2008, Restaurant magazineâs Sommelier of the Year 2007 and is now a Master Sommelier. He was Head Sommelier at Londonâs Capital Hotel and has additionally worked at Londonâs l'Oranger and the three-Michelin starred Pierre Gagnaire in Paris. In 2003 he assisted Tom Aikens open his signature restaurant and was part of the team instrumental in the restaurant winning a Michelin star. Mark-Savage-MW.jpg DWWA Austria Judging Panel

Mark Savage MW was born in Uganda and classically educated at Oxford where he was also president of the universityâs Wine Circle. He gained early wine trade experience with MoÃ«t & Chandon, Harrods, O.W.Loeb, and Tanners and, in 1975, was awarded The Vintners Scholarship and won the Ruinart Champagne Bursary to research the wine industry of the US Pacific Northwest. He then went on to pass his MW in 1980. He is the owner and MD of Savage Selection, a company which imports wines from small family estates in 16 countries. He is also the author of The Red Wines of Burgundy and occasional contributes to various wine journals, including The World of Fine Wine. Jason-Turner.jpg DWWA Austria Judging Panel

Jason Turner first joined the wine trade in 1997, working part-time for Sainsbury's in the Beers, Wines & Spirits department. After graduating with a degree in History and Modern Languages, Jason found his passion was in wine and moved to Austria in 2002 to join Wein & Co, the countryâs leading fine wine retail chain. In 2009, Jason turned to self-employment and founded his own wine event, consultancy and translation company, JST Wine, and he continues to teach at the Austrian Weinakademie. Jason is a specialist of Austrian and German wines, and is additionally interested in the wines of South-Eastern Europe and Turkey. Jason is currently studying for his MW. Nigel-Blundell.jpg DWWA Austria Judging Panel

Nigel Blundell is a former chairman of Siegel Wine Agencies, and now sells and consults for Awin Barratt Siegel. He has been UK agent for several 'Masters of Riesling' including Dr Loosen, Donnhoff, Gunderloch, Leitz and JL Wolf for 28 years. Nigel started in the wine trade at JJ Norman of Exeter at the end of 1959, which subsequently âwent out of business soon after he leftâ, an occurrence common to all the companies he has worked for with the exception of Fortnum & Mason. Nigel continues working âto pay for his yachtâ. James-Lawther-MW-.jpg DWWA Bordeaux Judging Panel : Regional Chair

James Lawther MW is a contributing editor to Decanter as well as an independent wine writer, lecturer and tour guide based in Bordeaux. He retailed wine at Steven Spurrier's Les Caves de la Madeleine in Paris in the 1980s, and his early career also involved stints as a cellar hand in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Roussillon and Western Australia. He became an MW in 1993. He is author of The Heart of Bordeaux and The Finest Wines of Bordeaux and has contributed to books including Dorling Kindersleyâs Wines of the World, Oz Clarkeâs Bordeaux and Hugh Johnsonâs Pocket Wine Book. Virginia-Philip-MS.jpg DWWA Bordeaux Judging Panel

Virginia Philip MS is in her eleventh year at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida, where she maintains and oversees the beverage departments for nine restaurants and bars, and their 14 wine lists, including the 1,600-selection list at LâEscalier, the resortâs signature restaurant which has won the Wine Spectatorâs Grand Award every year since its inception in 1981. Prior to her arrival at The Breakers, Virginia worked at many accredited resorts and restaurants throughout the USA, most notably The Little Nell, a Five Diamond/Five Star resort in Aspen, and was the Wine Buyer for 36 stores in San Antonio, Texas. Viriginia won the title of Best Sommelier of the United States in 2002, owns the Virginia Philip Wine Shop and Academy in West Palm Beach and has developed a wine program for Stephaneâs, set to debut this year. Hugo-Rose-MW.jpg DWWA Bordeaux Judging Panel

Hugo Rose MW joined the wine industry in 1982 after a brief career as a 'garagiste' (motorcycle mechanic). After almost 20 years with UK fine wine merchants Lay & Wheeler, Hugo set up his own consultancy offering a variety of commercial services to the wine industry including project development, cellar maturity evaluation and tastings of historic vintages. He has contributed to wine journals in both the UK and abroad, writing on diverse subjects such as as theories of terroir and wine investment. Current roles include head of trading for Culver Street, a boutique wine portfolio manager. He became a Master of Wine in 1992, and served as Chairman of the Institute in 2002. Gareth-Birchley.jpg DWWA Bordeaux Judging Panel

Gareth Birchley ran the Wine Society at the University of Bath before graduating in 2006 and joining fine wine merchant Bordeaux Index. Initially starting in private client sales, he moved to Buying and also structures the companyâs wine events program. At just 27 years of age Gareth is, for the third year running, the youngest taster at the DWWA and was named as one of the âstars of the futureâ of Jancis Robinson MW. Dominique-Vrigneau.jpg DWWA Bordeaux Judging Panel

Dominique Vrigneau joined Majestic on a work experience placement in 1986 after completing a five-year PhD in agriculture and oenology in France. He was soon promoted to the position of Buying Manager. He joined Thierryâs in 1991 after a chance encounter with founder Thierry Cabanne and is now Buying Director for France, Austria, Germany, Australasia and the US. Dominique is also a Chevalier de Tastevin and has judged in key international competitions for many years. Ignatius-Chan.jpg DWWA Bordeaux Judging Panel

Ignatius Chan is a sommelier and restaurateur who founded Iggyâs in 2004 at The Regent Singapore. The restaurant relocated to The Hilton Hotel Singapore in September 2010. He joined the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Singapore as a waiter in 1987 after graduating and was later promoted to Sommelier at its French restaurant, Fourchettes. In 1990, he won the Veuve Clicquot Champagne scholarship, as well as the prestigious Singapore Best Sommelier for French Wines and Spirits Competition. In 1991, he joined Raffles Hotel as Cellar Master. He was a founding partner of Les Amis and in 1998 was selected as the only Asian member of the prestigious Grand Jury EuropÃ©en. Jean-Louis-Naveilhan.jpg DWWA Bordeaux Judging Panel

Jean-Louis Naveilhan is from Provence and graduated with a sommelier diploma from the Wine School of Tain lâHermitage in the RhÃ´ne Valley. He is a Certified Sommelier awarded by the International Court of Master Sommeliers and has more than 20 yearsâ experience in the wine industry. In 2004 Jean-Louis set up the first company in the UK that specialises in importing premium Sake from Japan. As well as consulting for both private and trade customers, Jean-Louis has been working since 2005 as Head Sommelier for Sumosan, a renowned Japanese eatery in Mayfair. Laurent-Chaniac.jpg DWWA Bordeaux Judging Panel

Laurent Chaniac is food and wine consultant to The Cinnamon Club and Kitchen in London where his expertise in matching wines to Indian cuisine has become very popular. He has been described as a sommelier who âhas pioneered some revolutionary ideas on pairing wine with the constantly evolving Indian flavours." He has also worked in various managerial positions with some of London's finest dining experiences for years, including L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, The Square Restaurant and The Stafford Hotel, all part of the group holding 25 Michelin stars. Alison-Buchanan.jpg DWWA Bordeaux Judging Panel

Alison Buchanan supplemented her undergraduate income as a chef and initially studied wine to complement her love of cooking. Her wine career began at the sharp end, managing a store for one of the multiples. She then joined Scotlandâs oldest wine merchants, Whighams of Ayr, in 1989. When Corney & Barrow bought Whighams in 1994, Alison continued in Scotland before moving to London as Associate Director of Buying in 1998. Passionate about wine, Alison recognises the need to see it in a wider business context. To this end, she studied for an MBA which she completed in 2005. Today Alison looks after the top relationships in the Corney & Barrow portfolio, heading up what is classified as prestige buying for want of a better word â all of the blue chips. Andy-Howard-MW.jpg DWWA Bordeaux Judging Panel

Andy Howard MW buys wine at Marks & Spencer, and is responsible for Burgundy, Bordeaux, Loire, Italy, North and South America, South Africa, Portugal, England, Port & Sherry. Andy became a MW in September 2011 following his MW dissertation on the UK wine tradeâs attitude to Premier-Cru Chablis. Andyâs main loves in wine are Burgundy and Bordeaux and, from the New World, Chile and Argentina. Other wine interests are the wines of Gaillac where he made wine for 6 vintages and has a house, chairing the judges for the annual SEVA awards for the past six years and sitting on the Plumpton College Curriculum Advisory Panel. Non-wine interests are cricket, skiing, photography and music. Christopher-Cannan.jpg DWWA Bordeaux Judging Panel

After a spell at Lloyds in London, Christopher Cannan joined Percy Fox & Co., then spent most of 1970 travelling in Europe and earning his board and lodging by working in cellars and vineyards. He then stayed on in Bordeaux as assistant to the export director of negociant, Louis Eschenauer S.A., where he travelled to the Channel Islands, home to the UK, Denmark and the USA. Still based in Bordeaux, Christopher then joined New York importer, Frederick Wildman & Sons, as assistant to the managing director. When the companyâs Margaux office closed in 1978, Christopher set up Europvin, a company exporting top quality single estates from Bordeaux, the Loire, Burgundy, the RhÃ´ne and Rioja internationally and offering logistical services. Europvin Iberia followed in the 1990âs. In 1997, Christopher purchased Clos Figueras in Priorat. Christopherâs equally strong commitment to France has earned him the nomination of Chevalier de lâOrdre du MÃ©rite Agricole. Sebastian-Payne-MW.jpg DWWA Bordeaux Judging Panel

Sebastian Payne MW started in the wine trade in 1970 with Fred May, a shipper specialising in the wines of France, Germany and Hungary. He joined The Wine Society in 1973 as Promotions Manager, responsible for publications and passed his MW in 1977. In 1985 he became Chief Buyer, travelling to all major wine regions in the world. In 1995, he served as Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine and as Chairman of Masters of Wine Examiners in 1996. Sebastian is also a Chevalier dans l'Ordre du MÃ©rite Agricole. Having stepped down as Chief Buyer, Sebastian remains an integral part of The Wine Societyâs buying team and currently writes for the Society List and website, as well as blogs in his inimitable style. Robert-Gorjak.jpg DWWA Bordeaux Judging Panel

Robert Gorjak lives near Ljubljana, Slovenia, and has written about wine since 1994. Beside regular contributions to Slovenian periodicals, he is a contributor to The Oxford Companion to Wine and The World Atlas of Wine. He is the author of Wine guide â Slovenia 2012. A regular judge in national and international wine competitions, he and his wife founded Sloveniaâs first wine school, Belvin, in 2002. Peter-Nixson.jpg DWWA Bordeaux Judging Panel

Peter Nixson joined British Airways as an airline steward in 1973 â having never drunk a glass of wine in his life. Through his job he visited places including California, South Africa and Australia just when their wine industries were starting to establish themselves. His interest in wine grew and, in 1982, he began to take courses at the WSET and earned his Diploma with Honours in 1986. In 1987 he joined BAâs newly created Wine Department taking over its management in 1989. For the next 20 years, he was responsible for the selection of all BAâs wines â over 450,000 cases a year â including the Concorde Cellar. Peter left BA in 2009 and now works for Vinum, a specialist importer of Italian wines. Panos-Kakaviatos.jpg DWWA Bordeaux Judging Panel

Panos Kakaviatos is an American of Greek origin who takes advantage of his base in Strasbourg to regularly visit the great vineyards of France. He writes about wine for various publications, including Decanter and publishes a blog connectionstowine.com. Panos also organises tasting events for wineries he likes and for luxury hotel restaurants in Germany and in the US. Panos is a trained journalist whose day job is as a press attachÃ© for the Council of Europe. Panos is currently researching to write a book on French wine. Nicola-Arcedeckne-Butler-MW.jpg DWWA Bordeaux Judging Panel

Nicola specialises in the classic regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy as Director of Buying for Private Cellar. Her Time in Italy in her twenties also awoke a passion in all things Italian, including the language.She started her career with Majestics Wine Warehouses in 1987 before catapulting to Corney and Barrow.Before becoming their Wine Buyer she assisted in the development of the broking department.1996 was the year that she passed the prestigious Master of Wine Examination, and with that collected the Villa Maria award for best viticulture paper. Her passion of wine and travel has assisted in her becoming fluent in both French and Italian. Vicki-Stephens-Clarkson.jpg DWWA Bordeaux Judging Panel

Vicki Stephens-Clarkson joined the wine trade in 2000. She worked in sales and buying with numerous wine companies including Lay & Wheeler and Direct Wines, before joining Liberty Wines as Buyer in 2008. She has worked in wineries in France, Australia and Argentina, and speaks French, Spanish and Russian. She specialises in several French regions, as well as South America, and is currently studying for her MW. Tony-Aspler.jpg DWWA Bordeaux Judging Panel

Tony Aspler has been writing about wine since 1975 and has been Wine Columnist for The Toronto Star for 22 years. He is also the author of 16 wine books including The Wine Atlas of Canada and three wine murder mystery novels Blood Is Thicker than Beaujolais, The Beast of Barbaresco and Death on the Douro. In 2001, Tony co-founded the charity Grapes for Humanity to raise money through the wine community for victims of landmines and children with disabilities. In 2007 Tony was awarded the Order of Canada and in 2012 he was elected to the New York Media Wine Writers Hall of Fame. Michael-Schuster.jpg DWWA Burgundy Juding Panel : Regional Chair

Michael Schuster studied wine tasting in Bordeaux where he gained the University Tasting Diploma. After creating an award-winning retail business in the early 1980s, he went on to work independently as a wine writer and lecturer and now runs his own wine school at Bordeaux Index. He lectures to both amateurs and professionals throughout the UK and abroad. He is on The Wine Society's management committee and was elected a member of the Academie Internationale du Vin in 2002. His books include a translation of Emile Peynaud's Le GoÃ»t du Vin, Understanding Wine and the award-winning Essential Winetasting. He writes regularly for The World of Fine Wine, and occasionally for Decanter. Tim-Sykes.jpg DWWA Burgundy Juding Panel

Tim Sykes studied law at London University and the Sorbonne and qualified as a solicitor in the late 1980s. His work, however, never involved sorting out divorces and scrutinising commercial leases, but rather organising bottles at La Vigneronne in Kensington, where he was first introduced to the wine trade. Tim then joined O.W. Loeb in sales and buying roles and, in 1996, he joined Enotria as French Buyer, shortly afterwards taking on the responsibility for New World purchasing and, in 2004, being appointed Director of Buying. Tim is currently Head of Buying for The Wine Society, where he leads arguably the most knowledgeable and experienced buying team in the business. Matt-Wilkin-MS.jpg DWWA Burgundy Juding Panel

Matt Wilkin MS is Australiaâs first Master Sommelier. Following 10 years building on restaurant & wine experience in his native Australia, Matt moved to the UK in 1998 where he worked as Head Sommelier at the Michelin two-starred Capital Restaurant and then as Wine Buyer for Hotel Group Knightsbridgeâs six restaurants; whilst also working several Stages at a time throughout the Loire & Bordeaux regions from 2000 to 2005. He is currently joint owner and Sales Director of H2Vin, and consults for several highly rated London restaurants. Matt contributes his experience to the Academy of Food & Wine Service for the UK Wine Service Standards Committee and is actively involved in the Examining Board for The Court of Master Sommeliers. He is the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships, the most recent being âYoung Australian Achiever of the Year in the UKâ. Nick-Adams.jpg DWWA Burgundy Juding Panel

Nick Adams MW found himself in the wine trade after graduating with a Business Studies degree in 1982, passing the MW exam ten years later. After having the very good fortune to work with a number of the worldâs leading producers â especially in France, Italy and California - he now runs his own wine consultancy company, First Glass Wine Services. Working with a cross-section of both producers and retailers, as well as private individuals, he is revelling in both the challenges and rewards this brings. Nicola-Arcedeckne--Butler-MW.jpg DWWA Burgundy Juding Panel

Nicola specialises in the classic regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy as Director of Buying for Private Cellar. Her Time in Italy in her twenties also awoke a passion in all things Italian, including the language.She started her career with Majestics Wine Warehouses in 1987 before catapulting to Corney and Barrow. Before becoming their Wine Buyer she assisted in the development of the broking department.1996 was the year that she passed the prestigious Master of Wine Examination, and with that collected the Villa Maria award for best viticulture paper. Her passion of wine and travel has assisted in her becoming fluent in both French and Italian. Beverley-Blanning-MW.jpg DWWA Burgundy Juding Panel

Beverley Blanning MW is a London-based independent wine journalist and the author of Wine Tasting and Biodynamics in Wine. She is a feature writer and taster for Decanter and a contributor to other publications around the world. Beverley has judged at numerous wine competitions internationally. She is also a presenter and educator for corporate, consumer and trade events, including the Christie's Wine Course. She became a Master of Wine in 2001. David-Vareille.jpg DWWA Burgundy Juding Panel

David Vareille was raised in Chablis and has worked as a sommelier since the age of 16. At the age of 30, he became a professional Sommelier. David moved to the UK in 2006 and has worked at Lâenclume in Cartmel in the Lake District, the Hotel du Vin Birmingham, the Hotel du Vin Cambridge and the London-based Bleeding Heart. In 2010 he opened Bar Boulud in the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. Jamie-Hutchinson.jpg DWWA Burgundy Juding Panel

Jamie Hutchinson is the Managing Director and co-founder of independent wine merchant The Sampler. After a career in venture capital, Jamie opened The Sampler in Islington in 2006 and The Sampler in South Kensington in 2011 and plans to open other shops in the future. Jamieâs passions are Sherry, traditional Rioja, grower Champagne and Beaujolais, while his weaknesses are for wines with personality and that go against normal commercial conventions. Jamie is also the holder of the WSET Rafael Balao Lustau Memorial Trophy and won the WSET Cava and Penedes Wine Institute Bursary. Jason-Haynes.jpg DWWA Burgundy Juding Panel

Jason Haynes started his wine career with Le Pont de la Tour in 1991 where he managed the wine shop, bought wine for the restaurant and assisted with the creation of the wine lists for many of the groupâs restaurants. In 1996 he joined O.W.Loeb as a Buyer and became Buying Director in 1999. During his tenure, O.W.Loeb won Burgundy and RhÃ´ne Merchant of the Year. Jason left Loeb in 2006 to set up Flint Wines, a Burgundy specialist. He was âknightedâ at the Clos Vougeot in Burgundy in 2010 as a Chevalier of the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. Mark-Andrew.jpg DWWA Burgundy Juding Panel

Mark Andrew is the Senior Wine Buyer at Kensington-based merchant, Roberson Wine. In addition to its award-winning shop on Londonâs Kensington High Street, Roberson supply wine to many of the UKâs top restaurants. When Mark is not travelling in Europe seeking out interesting new wines, he runs Robersonâs Wine School and fine wine tastings and is currently studying towards the Master of Wine qualification. Andy-Howard-MW.jpg DWWA Burgundy Juding Panel

Andy Howard MW buys wine at Marks & Spencer, and is responsible for Burgundy, Bordeaux, Loire, Italy, North and South America, South Africa, Portugal, England, Port & Sherry. Andy became a MW in September 2011 following his MW dissertation on the UK wine tradeâs attitude to Premier-Cru Chablis. Andyâs main loves in wine are Burgundy and Bordeaux and, from the New World, Chile and Argentina. Other wine interests are the wines of Gaillac where he made wine for 6 vintages and has a house, chairing the judges for the annual SEVA awards for the past six years and sitting on the Plumpton College Curriculum Advisory Panel. Non-wine interests are cricket, skiing, photography and music. Alex-Hunt-MW.jpg DWWA Burgundy Juding Panel

Alex Hunt MW joined the wine trade as a van driver for Oddbins while studying philosophy and psychology at Oxford, where he captained the varsity blind-tasting team. After graduating in 2000, he joined Mayfair Cellars, holding both sales and buying roles. In 2006, he moved to Berkmann Wine Cellars, where he is currently Purchasing Director. Since February 2012 he has also written a monthly column on taste and tasting for jancisrobinson.com. Alex became a Master of Wine in 2010, winning the Madame Bollinger Medal for excellence in the tasting exam. Tony-Aspler.jpg DWWA Canada Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Tony Aspler has been writing about wine since 1975 and has been Wine Columnist for The Toronto Star for 22 years. He is also the author of 16 wine books including The Wine Atlas of Canada and three wine murder mystery novels Blood Is Thicker than Beaujolais, The Beast of Barbaresco and Death on the Douro. In 2001, Tony co-founded the charity Grapes for Humanity to raise money through the wine community for victims of landmines and children with disabilities. In 2007 Tony was awarded the Order of Canada and in 2012 he was elected to the New York Media Wine Writers Hall of Fame. Barbara-Philip-MW.jpg DWWA Canada Judging Panel

Barbara Philip MW is a portfolio manager at the British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB) in Canada and is responsible for selecting European wines for the BC Liquor Store chain. Barbara has a long history working as a sommelier and wine educator and, in 2007, passed the MW. In addition to her role at the BCLDB, Barbara works as a freelance lecturer, radio columnist and wine judge through Barbariain Wine Consulting, a company she runs with her husband Iain. Rhys-Pender-MW.jpg DWWA Canada Judging Panel

Rhys Pender MW is a wine educator, consultant, judge and freelance writer contactable via his company Wine Plus+ and his website www.rhyspender.com. He writes for a number of publications, judges internationally and is increasingly becoming recognised as one of Canadaâs leading experts in the wine business. In 2008 Rhys was named as one of the âTop 40 Foodies Under 40â in Western Canada by Western Living magazine, and in 2010 Rhys became Canadaâs youngest Master of Wine. His career plan is to wait for Robert Parker to retire so he can finally claim back his initials RP for wine reviews. Madeleine-Stenwreth-MW.jpg DWWA Canada Judging Panel

Madeleine Stenwreth MW consults internationally for wine producers, as well as importing companies across the Nordic market. She was raised in a restaurateur family, which sparked her passion for wine, and studied to become one of the first Swedish sommeliers, winning The Inter-Scandinavian Sommelier Contest in 1993. Her studies then took her to Spain, the USA, Germany, London and then to the Cape Wine Academy in South Africa, while also working as Restaurant Manager and Chef Sommelier for a Relais & ChÃ¢teaux hotel. Upon Madelineâs return to Sweden, she completed her WSET Diploma with Honors, set up a wine consultancy and established and managed the Swedish branch of Wines of South Africa. From 2004 to 2007 she worked as a Wine Buyer at Systembolaget before becoming Quality and Product Development Manager for a major Scandinavian importing group. In 2008 Madeleine became a Master of Wine, one of only two MWs in Sweden, and her dissertation "The effect of altitude on Malbec in Mendoza" received the Quinta do Noval Award. She lectures for the WSET Diploma in Sweden and judges for wine awards internationally. Angela-Muir-MW-.jpg DWWA Central and Eastern Europe Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Angela Muir MW started her career with John Harvey & Sons of Bristol, shortly after leaving Bristol University with a degree in Politics and Economics. She then joined Grants of St James's and Victoria Wine as a Buyer. In 1988 Angela set up her own prize-winning wine shop and school which she followed up with Cellarworld International, a wine consultancy, and Cellarworld Argentina in 2002. Angela also lectures in French, English and Spanish on wine production and the UK market. She is an MW of more than 30 years' standing, a past chairman of the MW Education Committee, and past president of the Wine and Spirit Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Clement-Robert.jpg DWWA Central and Eastern Europe Judging Panel

ClÃ©ment Robert started his wine career from an early age, attending the catering school in Le Touquet. At the age of 18 he moved to Angers to take his sommelier degree. After a spell as trainee sommelier at a Michelin starred restaurant in the Loire, ClÃ©ment moved to England in 2006 where became Assistant Head Sommelier of the Hotel Du Vin Brighton, before becoming Head Sommelier of the Hotel Du Vin Cambridge. In 2009 he joined Summer Lodge Hotel as Assistant Sommelier to Eric Zwiebel MS. In 2009 ClÃ©ment won the ChaÃ®ne des RÃ´tisseurs International Young Sommelier of the Year competition. He is currently Head Sommelier / Wine Buyer at Medlar and is studying for his Master Sommelier. Igor-Sotric.jpg DWWA Central and Eastern Europe Judging Panel

Igor Sotric moved to the UK and entered the wine industry 15 years ago after graduating with a degree in Microbiology. Qualified to WSET Diploma level, he is Head Sommelier and Wine Buyer at China Tang at the Dorchester. His prior experience has also been with Asian restaurants including the Cocoon and the St Martins Lane Hotel. Igor also acts as consultant to several restaurants. Isa-Bal-MS.jpg DWWA Central and Eastern Europe Judging Panel

Isa Bal MS has been the head Sommelier at The Fat Duck in Bray for the past five years. He is a Master Sommelier and in 2008 he won the title of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (A.S.I.) Best Sommelier of Europe. When not immersed in wine, Isa enjoys being outdoors, taking every opportunity to either paint or shoot. Luis-Capitao.jpg DWWA Central and Eastern Europe Judging Panel

Luis Capitao is a California-based wine industry veteran and international wine consultant. Former roles have included advising Eastern European wineries and government associations on export strategies, a ten-year period in strategic marketing with Constellation Wines U.S., and a tenure as Marketing Director of WJ Deutsch and Sons, Inc during which time he successfully rolled out Yellow Tail in the US. Luis holds an MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a BA in economics from Rutgers University. He is currently Managing Partner of Touchstone Wines, a sales and marketing firm working with foreign wineries, which he co-founded. Magandeep-Singh-.jpg DWWA Central and Eastern Europe Judging Panel

Magandeep Singh is Indiaâs first French-qualified sommelier and professional wine taster. Since qualifying about ten years ago, Magandeep has worked in India where he consults via his company Wi-Not Beverage Solutions. He is also an established freelance wine, food, travel, and lifestyle writer with regular columns in several national newspapers and magazines, and he has conducted wine training workshops across India for the most prestigious on- and off-trade establishments. He is the author of Wine Wisdom which is now in its third edition and was awarded the Silver Medal at the World Gourmand Awards as an educational reference. Magandeep and his Wi-Not partners recently inaugurated Indiaâs first ever accredited wine school, the âInstitute of Wine + Beverage Studiesâ, in New Delhi. Robert-Gorjak.jpg DWWA Central and Eastern Europe Judging Panel

Robert Gorjak lives near Ljubljana, Slovenia, and has written about wine since 1994. Beside regular contributions to Slovenian periodicals, he is a contributor to The Oxford Companion to Wine and The World Atlas of Wine. He is the author of Wine guide â Slovenia 2012. A regular judge in national and international wine competitions, he and his wife founded Sloveniaâs first wine school, Belvin, in 2002. Darrell-Joseph-.jpg DWWA Central and Eastern Europe Judging Panel

Darrel Joseph is based in Vienna and began writing about the wines of Central, Eastern and south eastern Europe in 1995, after Hungaryâs Tokaji, and the GrÃ¼ner Veltliner and Riesling from Austria captured his palate. Since then he has broadened his scope to include the wines of Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Georgia, Russia and beyond. His writing has appeared in Decanter, Wine Spectator, Wine Business International and Harpers Wine & Spirit, and he has also contributed to Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Guide and wein-pur's Best of Austria and Guide to GrÃ¼ner Veltliner. He was the English language editor to LÃ¡szlo Alkonyiâs Tokaj, The Wine of Freedom. In addition to his writing, Joseph conducts wine tastings and seminars internationally and translates a wide range of wine texts from German to English. David-Bird-MW.jpg DWWA Central and Eastern Europe Judging Panel

David Bird MW started his working life as an analytical chemist for Colmans of Norwich. A promotion to Quality Control Manager of the new wine department in 1973 sparked a huge interest in wine and led to him passing the MW, winning the Tim Derouet Award and becoming a Chartered Chemist all in 1981. He was instrumental in the development of the bag-in-box whilst working for Stowells of Chelsea as Quality Assurance Manager. David set up his own consultancy in 1994 to provide a service of quality management to ISO9001 and wine production audits around Europe. David is also the author of Understanding Wine Technology, first published in 2000 and republished in 2010. He is past chairman of the Technical Committee of the WSTA and is Technical Advisor to The Wine Society and to the Royal Tokaji Wine Company. Dimitar-Nikolov.jpg DWWA Central and Eastern Europe Judging Panel

Dimitar Nikolov is a Bulgarian sommelier, wine buyer and taster. He possesses twelve yearsâ experience in the hospitality industry and has worked in Bulgaria, the UAE and the USA. In 2004, Dimitar decided to focus his career to work only in wine, so commenced his formal studies at the International Sommelier Guild in Chicago and continued with the WSET, where is is currently studying for the Diploma. His future goal is the Master of Wine course. Past wine experience has included various sommelier positions in the USA and Bulgaria, and positions as Wine Buyer and Wine Category Manager in Bulgaria and Russia respectively. Dimitar has also been a judge for Bulgariaâs Vinaria for two consecutive years. Tom-Stevenson.jpg DWWA Champagne Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Tom Stevenson has over 35 years experience in wine and has specialised in Champagne since 1980. He is the author of 23 books, which have garnered 32 awards between them, including The Sothebyâs Wine Encyclopedia, which has sold over 700,000 copies in more than a dozen languages and is used as a standard reference for Master of Wine and Master Sommelier examinations all over the world. Tom has judged at wine competitions in France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Australia and the US. Michael-Edwards.jpg DWWA Champagne Judging Panel

Michael Edwards originally trained in Law, reading the Bar at Gray's Inn, London, before joining Laytons in 1968. During the seventies, he represented several top estates in Burgundy and Alsace. Michael has also been a restaurant reviewer and is a former chief inspector of the Egon Ronay Guide. During his 20 years as a freelance writer, Michael has specialized in Champagne and gastronomy. For his most recent book The Finest Wines of Champagne, Michael won the Louis Roederer award for the International Wine Book of the year 2010. His new blog, www.michaelbulles.blogspot.com, ranges well beyond Champagne. Sue-Daniels.jpg DWWA Champagne Judging Panel

Sue Daniels is Marks & Spencer's Champagne/Sparkling, Fortified, Portuguese, English, South African and Burgundian winemaker. She has looked after sparkling and fortified wines for Marks and Spencer since 1999. Sue is currently studying for her Master of Wine while simultaneously bringing up three children. Tony-Jordan.jpg DWWA Champagne Judging Panel

Dr Tony Jordanâs early career spanned scientific research,lecturing in Oenology at Charles Sturt University and winemaking consulting as a partner in Oenotec Pty Ltd. Tony then joined the MoÃ«t Hennessy group, first as Managing Director / Winemaker for Domaine Chandon Australia and from 2003 as CEO of Domaine Chandon Australia, Cape Mentelle and Cloudy Bay NZ. After 21 successful years, Tony revived Oenotec Pty Ltd in 2008 and currently consults on winemaking, viticulture and wine business to wine companies in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, China and India. He is also a board member of the Wine Australia Corporation and a past President of the Yarra Valley Wine Growers Association and of the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology. In his spare time he looks after his small Yarra Valley vineyard and mini arboretum and enjoys travel,walking as well as a wine or two. Antony-Moss-MW.jpg DWWA Champagne Judging Panel

Antony Moss MW entered the wine industry in 1999 as a sales adviser for wine merchant S. H. Jones. Following that he moved to London first to work for Thresher and then Sainsburys, during which time he also completed his WSET Diploma and earned the Austrian Wine Academy Prize. In 2004 Antony won a place on the Len Evans Tutorial in the Hunter Valley. That year also saw him join the WSET as Research and Development Assistant. He became part of the WSET Senior Management team in 2008 and has overseen the development of the WSETâs educator training program. He has implemented the new WSET Level 2 Award in Wine Service which came about due to research for his MW thesis. Beverley-Blanning-MW.jpg DWWA Champagne Judging Panel

Beverley Blanning MW is a London-based independent wine journalist and the author of Wine Tasting and Biodynamics in Wine. She is a feature writer and taster for Decanter and a contributor to other publications around the world. Beverley has judged at numerous wine competitions internationally. She is also a presenter and educator for corporate, consumer and trade events, including the Christie's Wine Course. She became a Master of Wine in 2001. Dee-Blackstock-MW.jpg DWWA Champagne Judging Panel

Dee Blackstock MW began her career in the wine trade in 1984 through Gerard Harris Wines in Aston Clinton, the wine side of the Bell Inn. She joined Waitrose in 1991 and passed the MW exam at the first attempt in 1992, securing a bursary scholarship for the Marketing paper. She then went on to study for the Institute of Grocery Distribution Diploma and was awarded a scholarship for overall marks by Safeway Supermarkets. She has been made a Chevalier de l'Ordre du MÃ©rite Agricole in recognition of her services to French wine in her buying role. Dee sits on the Wine Committee for Government Hospitality to help select wines for visiting Heads of State and other dignitaries. Essi-Avellan-MW.jpg DWWA Champagne Judging Panel

Essi Avellan MW is Finlandâs first Master of Wine. During her studies she won both the Lily Bollinger Medal for best taster and the Tim Derouet Memorial Award for best overall student. She is currently editor of FINE Champagne magazine and writes for a number of international wine publications. Essi writes a bi-annual wine buying guide for Finnish wine consumers. She is the author of a book on Champagne entitled Matka Champagneen and the co-author of the book 1000 Finest Wines Ever Made. Margaret-Rand.jpg DWWA Champagne Judging Panel

Margaret Rand is a past Editor of Wine Magazine, Wine & Spirit International and Whisky Magazine. She now writes for World of Fine Wine, Drinks Business, Decanter, Square Meal and the FT among others, and is General Editor of Hugh Johnsonâs Pocket Wine Book. She is the co-author with Oz Clarke of Grapes & Wines, and her latest book, Exploring Wine, will be published by Anova Books when they get round to it. Peter-Richards-MW.jpg DWWA Chile Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Peter Richards is an award-winning writer, broadcaster and Master of Wine. A regular wine presenter on BBC1âs Saturday Kitchen, reaching up to 3 million viewers, Peterâs other TV and radio credits include The Food Programme (BBC Radio 4), Market Kitchen (BBC2) and Taste (Sky One). With his wife Susie Barrie MW, Peter recently established Susie & Peterâs Wine School and soon after they were jointly named IWSC Communicators of the Year. Peter is much in demand as a Chilean wine expert; his book The Wines of Chile was shortlisted for the AndrÃ© Simon Award. You can follow Peter on twitter (@wineschools) and facebook (Susie & Peter). Terry-Threlfall.jpg DWWA Chile Judging Panel

Terry Threlfall has been involved in the fine dining industry for 17 years and left his native Vancouver ten years ago to pursue his passion for wine in London. After a stint as Head Sommelier at Richard Corrigan's Lindsay House, he joined Chez Bruce in 2004 as Head Sommelier and Wine Buyer, a position he held until 2010. Terry returned permanently to Vancouver to assume the role of Wine Director at the Hotel Georgiaâs Hawksworth Restaurant, one of Canada's most highly anticipated restaurant openings. Throughout his time in London, Terry returned annually to Vancouver as acting sommelier and wine advisor to the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, one of the world's largest consumer-based wine festivals. Terry continues to consults on fine wine and restaurantsin the UK. Vicki-Stephens-Clarkson.jpg DWWA Chile Judging Panel

Vicki Stephens-Clarkson joined the wine trade in 2000. She worked in sales and buying with numerous wine companies including Lay & Wheeler and Direct Wines, before joining Liberty Wines as Buyer in 2008. She has worked in wineries in France, Australia and Argentina, and speaks French, Spanish and Russian. She specialises in several French regions, as well as South America, and is currently studying for her MW. Rebecca-Palmer.jpg DWWA Chile Judging Panel

Rebecca Palmer is Associate Director and Buyer for the Corney & Barrow Group based in London and Hong Kong. As Head of Commercial Buying, she is responsible for the core portfolio of both Corney & Barrowâs Merchanting and Wine Barsâ businesses, covering all world regions except Bordeaux. Prior to working for Corney & Barrow, Rebecca was a buyer at Direct Wines (Laithwaites), specialising in France and South America. A modern languages graduate, she has worked in the wine trade for over 15 years. Richard-Hemming.jpg DWWA Chile Judging Panel

Richard Hemming started working in wine retail in 2001. After completing the WSET Diploma in 2007, he went to McLaren Vale and survived the 2008 vintage as a cellar hand. While there, he started writing about his experiences for www.JancisRobinson.com and now writes articles and tasting notes for the site every week. Richard is also drinks writer for Sainsburyâs Magazine and has been published by Decanter, The Drinks Business, Harpers Wine & Spirit, and The World of Fine Wine. Alongside writing, Richard tutors for the London Wine Academy and runs wine dinners at the Bull & Last in Highgate. He has also worked as a viticultural assistant for Gusbourne Estate in Kent and offers cellar consultation services to private clients. Richard was runner-up for the Young Wine Writer Award in 2007 and 2008, and shortlisted for the Louis Roederer Emerging Wine Writer Award 2010. He is currently completing his MW. Rupert-Pritchett.jpg DWWA Chile Judging Panel

Rupert Pritchett has spent 15 years in the wine trade, including stints at Victoria Wine and Majestic Wine Warehouses. He worked vintages in the Southern RhÃ´ne (Gigondas) for Gabriel Meffre and in Margaret River, Western Australia for Capel Vale. On his return from Australia in 2001, Rupert founded multi-awarded merchant Taurus Wines, whose cups have included Chilean Independent Wine Merchant of the Year. For the past three years Richard has been named by the Observer Magazine as one of the 50 "Rising Stars of the Drinks Industry". Rupert has also attended the Ecole des Grandes Maisons d'Alsace, a course run annually for 10 of the UK's top wine-buyers and sommeliers, from which he graduated as top candidate. Keith-Isaac-MW.jpg DWWA Chile Judging Panel

Keith Isaac MW is a veteran of Patriarche Wine Agencies, having been with the company since 1987 and appointed General Manager in 1996. Keith read History at Cambridge but was introduced to the world of wine via the Universityâs wine club wwhere he was a member of the blind wine tasting team. He passed the MW in 1989 and served as Chair of Examination Panel for several years until 2007. Margaret-Rand.jpg DWWA Chile Judging Panel

Margaret Rand is a past Editor of Wine Magazine, Wine & Spirit International and Whisky Magazine. She now writes for World of Fine Wine, Drinks Business, Decanter, Square Meal and the FT among others, and is General Editor of Hugh Johnsonâs Pocket Wine Book. She is the co-author with Oz Clarke of Grapes & Wines, and her latest book, Exploring Wine, will be published by Anova Books when they get round to it. Martin-Lam.jpg DWWA Chile Judging Panel

Martin Lam opened Le Caprice in 1981 with Chris Corbin and Jeremy King where he worked as Head Chef before joining L'Escargot as Head Chef in 1982. In 1992, he and his wife set up Ransome's Dock, a restaurant renowned to the international wine trade and winner of numerous awards including: the AA Best Wine List 2009, England & Overall; Portuguese Wine Awards 2010 Restaurant of the Year, and Harpers Wine & Spirit European Wine Restaurant of the Year 2010. Martin is also a Mentor of the Academy of Culinary Arts and a member of The Master Chefs of Great Britain. Martin also regularly judges at international wine competitions and trade events. Patricia-Langton.jpg DWWA Chile Judging Panel

Patricia Langton is a freelance journalist and the former wine editor of Off Licence News. Her website and blog can be found at www.patricialangton.com. Paulo-Brammer.jpg DWWA Chile Judging Panel

Paulo Brammer began his wine career in London ten years ago at Bank Aldwych and Just Saint James as Head of Bars. He then moved to become Head Sommelier for the three Michelin star chefs Pourcel brothers at WâSens. In 2008 he made the move out of fine dining to take on a new challenge as Group Wine Buyer at ETM Group, where he designs wine lists for eight very different sites. Paulo has established the ETM Wine Academy in 2010, a twelve week course based on his WSET Diploma education. Every year Paulo travels to the Languedoc to blend ETM Groupâs house wines, hand selecting the best grape varieties in order to create excellent value house wines. Gerd-Stepp.jpg DWWA Chile Judging Panel

Gerd Steppâs family has been growing grapes in the Pfalz for generations. He himself has been in the wine trade for 24 years during which time he has worked in Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Italy and the UK. For ten of those years Gerd was a Winemaker for Marks and Spencer. In 2009 Gerd set up a winery at the site of Stepp Family Vineyards where he now makes wine. He also consults on various wine-related matters. Hector-Riquelme.jpg DWWA Chile Judging Panel

HÃ©ctor Riquelme is the creator of the site www.elcavista.com and Sommelier Consultant for Cuerovaca, Ichiban, Temple and Tierranoble Restaurants. Named the Best Sommelier of Chile from 2005 to 2008, Hector went on to become a semi-finalist in the Worldâs Best Sommelier Competition in Greece in 2007. Since 2005 is the co-author of Patricio Tapiaâs Descorchados Chilean and Argentinian wine guide. Jean-Louis-Naveilhan.jpg DWWA Chile Judging Panel

Jean-Louis Naveilhan is from Provence and graduated with a sommelier diploma from the Wine School of Tain lâHermitage in the RhÃ´ne Valley. He is a Certified Sommelier awarded by the International Court of Master Sommeliers and has more than 20 yearsâ experience in the wine industry. In 2004 Jean-Louis set up the first company in the UK that specialises in importing premium Sake from Japan. As well as consulting for both private and trade customers, Jean-Louis has been working since 2005 as Head Sommelier for Sumosan, a renowned Japanese eatery in Mayfair. Barry-Dick.jpg DWWA Chile Judging Panel

Barry Dick holds a degree in Food Science and a postgraduate Diploma in Winemaking from the University of Adelaide, Australia. He has worked several vintages in the Old and New World. He then moved to London to work for Sainsburyâs where he was responsible for the quality of own-brand wines from France, Australia, New Zealand and California as well as the sparkling wine category. He is studying to become a Master of Wine.Barry currently works as a wine industry consultant for wine producers and UK retail. He is studying to become a Master of Wine. David-Williams.jpg DWWA Chile Judging Panel

Freelance wine writer and editor David Williams is the Wine Correspondent of The Observer, the Deputy Editor of The World of Fine Wine and a member of the wine recommendation website, The Wine Gang. A regular contributor to industry magazines such as Imbibe, Restaurant magazine, Harpers, The Wine Merchant and OLN, his work on wine has also appeared in publications as diverse as The Guardian, Time Out and Destination France magazine, where he is the wine columnist. As a book editor, his most recent titles have included the award-winning reference work, The Wine Opus, and The Finest Wines series, which includes books on Bordeaux, Rioja, Burgundy, Germany and California. Dirceu-Junior-Vianna-MW.jpg DWWA Chile Judging Panel

Dirceu Vianna Junior MW, aka Junior, is originally from Brazil where he studied Forest Engineering and Law before moving to London in 1989. He joined the wine trade one year later. In 2008, he became the first South American male Master of Wine and received the ViÃ±a Errazuriz Award for Excellence in the Business of Wine. Junior is currently the Wine Director at Coe Vintners. He is also a wine educator, technical consultant, a freelance writer, a wine judge, a speaker at several wine events, and he has made appearances in South American radio and television. Angela-Muir-MW-+-Robert-Gorjak- DWWA Croatia Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Angela Muir MW started her career with John Harvey & Sons of Bristol, shortly after leaving Bristol University with a degree in Politics and Economics. She then joined Grants of St James's and Victoria Wine as a Buyer. In 1988 Angela set up her own prize-winning wine shop and school which she followed up with Cellarworld International, a wine consultancy, and Cellarworld Argentina in 2002. Angela also lectures in French, English and Spanish on wine production and the UK market. She is an MW of more than 30 years' standing, a past chairman of the MW Education Committee, and past president of the Wine and Spirit Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. DWWA Darrell Joseph Darrel Joseph is based in Vienna and began writing about the wines of Central, Eastern and south eastern Europe in 1995, after Hungaryâs Tokaji, and the GrÃ¼ner Veltliner and Riesling from Austria captured his palate. Since then he has broadened his scope to include the wines of Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Georgia, Russia and beyond. His writing has appeared in Decanter, Wine Spectator, Wine Business International and Harpers Wine & Spirit, and he has also contributed to Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Guide and wein-pur's Best of Austria and Guide to GrÃ¼ner Veltliner. He was the English language editor to LÃ¡szlo Alkonyiâs Tokaj, The Wine of Freedom. In addition to his writing, Joseph conducts wine tastings and seminars internationally and translates a wide range of wine texts from German to English.

Igor-Sotric.jpg DWWA Croatia Judging Panel

Igor Sotric moved to the UK and entered the wine industry 15 years ago after graduating with a degree in Microbiology. Qualified to WSET Diploma level, he is Head Sommelier and Wine Buyer at China Tang at the Dorchester. His prior experience has also been with Asian restaurants including the Cocoon and the St Martins Lane Hotel. Igor also acts as consultant to several restaurants. Mai-Tjemsland-MW.jpg DWWA Croatia Judging Panel

Mai Tjemsland MW is an Oslo-based restaurateur with her own company GastroConsult AS. She holds a BI in Business Economy and Marketing, was certificated as a Sommelier in 1996 and became a Master of Wine in 2009. Claiming Italy is her favourite wine country, Mai has worked internationally in the hospitality industry for over 25 years and now oversees her own restaurant and catering companies. Alongside this, Mai lectures at sommelier schools, the WSET and the Institute of Masters of Wine as well as consulting for importers and holding Masterclasses on subjects including New Trends in Chile, California, and Food and Wine in Harmony. Ana-Sapungiu.jpg DWWA Croatia Judging Panel

Ana Sapungiu is a wine buyer for Oddbins that is under the new ownership of EFB. Ana developed her passion for wine in native Romania. She came to the UK in 2002 with a scholarship to do an MBA degree. Following that, her passion for wine got her into working with different wine importers in various sales and marketing roles. She then joined Vinopolis for a year as a Tour and Tasting Supervisor; after which she joined Oddbins, as part of the Trainee Management programme. From a role as Branch Manager, Ana moved to Head Office, first in a sales support role, then as a Trainee Buyer, before moving into the position of Buyer. Alongside her job, Ana judges at international wine competitions and is studying to become a Master of Wine. Angela-Muir-MW-.jpg DWWA Czech Republic Judging Panel: Regional Chair

Angela Muir MW started her career with John Harvey & Sons of Bristol, shortly after leaving Bristol University with a degree in Politics and Economics. She then joined Grants of St James's and Victoria Wine as a Buyer. In 1988 Angela set up her own prize-winning wine shop and school which she followed up with Cellarworld International, a wine consultancy, and Cellarworld Argentina in 2002. Angela also lectures in French, English and Spanish on wine production and the UK market. She is an MW of more than 30 years' standing, a past chairman of the MW Education Committee, and past president of the Wine and Spirit Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Gabor-Cseke.jpg DWWA Czech Republic Judging Panel

GÃ¡bor Cseke is a Hungarian sommelier who graduated in 2005 from the College of Commerce, Catering and Tourism in Budapest. Following this he took further sommelier and WSET courses in Budapest and London while training at Gundel Restaurant and BortÃ¡rsasÃ¡g wine merchant. He moved to London in 2007 where he has worked in the two-Michelin-starred Pied Ã¡ Terre, Hotel Andaz and the Hotel Great Fosters in Surrey. GÃ¡bor represented Hungary at the Meilleur Sommelier d'Europe competition in 2008 and 2010, won Best Sommelier of Hungary in 2010, and in 2009 he organised a wine tasting at the Hungarian Cultural Centre in London for the press and trade. Currently, GÃ¡bor is working as the Sommelier at Restaurant CsalogÃ¡ny 26 in Budapest, is studying for his WSET Diploma and is setting up his own winery in the Zala wine region of South-West-Hungary. Igor-Sotric.jpg DWWA Czech Republic Judging Panel

Igor Sotric moved to the UK and entered the wine industry 15 years ago after graduating with a degree in Microbiology. Qualified to WSET Diploma level, he is Head Sommelier and Wine Buyer at China Tang at the Dorchester. His prior experience has also been with Asian restaurants including the Cocoon and the St Martins Lane Hotel. Igor also acts as consultant to several restaurants. Luis-Capitao.jpg DWWA Czech Republic Judging Panel

Luis Capitao is a California-based wine industry veteran and international wine consultant. Former roles have included advising Eastern European wineries and government associations on export strategies, a ten-year period in strategic marketing with Constellation Wines U.S., and a tenure as Marketing Director of WJ Deutsch and Sons, Inc during which time he successfully rolled out Yellow Tail in the US. Luis holds an MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a BA in economics from Rutgers University. He is currently Managing Partner of Touchstone Wines, a sales and marketing firm working with foreign wineries, which he co-founded. Caroline-Gilby-MW.jpg DWWA Czech Republic Judging Panel

Caroline Gilby MW has been visiting Hungary for over 20 years since becoming the first major buyer to ship wines from there for Augustus Barnet off-licences. She has a doctorate in plant biology but abandoned life behind the microscope for a career in wine soon after winning the Decanter-Macallan Malt Whisky Taster of the Year Award while a student. Caroline passed her MW in 1992 then spent seven years as a senior wine buyer before switching to a career as freelance writer and consultant, specialising in Central and Eastern Europe.She contributes to Hugh Johnsonâs Pocket Wine Guide, and has written for Dorling Kindersleyâs Wines of the World, The Oxford Companion to Wine, The Wine Opus and Tom Stevensonâs Wine Report, as well as for various websites and magazines. Darrell-Joseph-.jpg DWWA Czech Republic Judging Panel

Darrel Joseph is based in Vienna and began writing about the wines of Central, Eastern and south eastern Europe in 1995, after Hungaryâs Tokaji, and the GrÃ¼ner Veltliner and Riesling from Austria captured his palate. Since then he has broadened his scope to include the wines of Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Georgia, Russia and beyond. His writing has appeared in Decanter, Wine Spectator, Wine Business International and Harpers Wine & Spirit, and he has also contributed to Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Guide and wein-pur's Best of Austria and Guide to GrÃ¼ner Veltliner. He was the English language editor to LÃ¡szlo Alkonyiâs Tokaj, The Wine of Freedom. In addition to his writing, Joseph conducts wine tastings and seminars internationally and translates a wide range of wine texts from German to English.

Dimitar-Nikolov.jpg DWWA Czech Republic Judging Panel

Dimitar Nikolov is a Bulgarian sommelier, wine buyer and taster. He possesses twelve yearsâ experience in the hospitality industry and has worked in Bulgaria, the UAE and the USA. In 2004, Dimitar decided to focus his career to work only in wine, so commenced his formal studies at the International Sommelier Guild in Chicago and continued with the WSET, where is is currently studying for the Diploma. His future goal is the Master of Wine course. Past wine experience has included various sommelier positions in the USA and Bulgaria, and positions as Wine Buyer and Wine Category Manager in Bulgaria and Russia respectively. Dimitar has also been a judge for Bulgariaâs Vinaria for two consecutive years. Giles-MacDonongh.jpg DWWA Germany Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Giles MacDonogh has been writing for various international newspapers and magazines and broadcasting on the radio and on television since 1985. He is also the author of fourteen books which have been translated into nine languages. Four of these are about wine in general, and two of them are about Austrian wine which he helped rescue from the doldrums after 1985. Giles is currently writing a history of modern Germany. Panos-Kakaviatos.jpg DWWA Germany Judging Panel

Panos Kakaviatos is an American of Greek origin who takes advantage of his base in Strasbourg to regularly visit the great vineyards of France. He writes about wine for various publications, including Decanter and publishes a blog connectionstowine.com. Panos also organises tasting events for wineries he likes and for luxury hotel restaurants in Germany and in the US. Panos is a trained journalist whose day job is as a press attachÃ© for the Council of Europe. Panos is currently researching to write a book on French wine. Jason-Turner.jpg DWWA Germany Judging Panel

Jason Turner first joined the wine trade in 1997, working part-time for Sainsbury's in the Beers, Wines & Spirits department. After graduating with a degree in History and Modern Languages, Jason found his passion was in wine and moved to Austria in 2002 to join Wein & Co, the countryâs leading fine wine retail chain. In 2009, Jason turned to self-employment and founded his own wine event, consultancy and translation company, JST Wine, and he continues to teach at the Austrian Weinakademie. Jason is a specialist of Austrian and German wines, and is additionally interested in the wines of South-Eastern Europe and Turkey. Jason is currently studying for his MW. Mark-Savage-MW.jpg DWWA Germany Judging Panel

Mark Savage MW was born in Uganda and classically educated at Oxford where he was also president of the universityâs Wine Circle. He gained early wine trade experience with MoÃ«t & Chandon, Harrods, O.W.Loeb, and Tanners and, in 1975, was awarded The Vintners Scholarship and won the Ruinart Champagne Bursary to research the wine industry of the US Pacific Northwest. He then went on to pass his MW in 1980. He is the owner and MD of Savage Selection, a company which imports wines from small family estates in 16 countries. He is also the author of The Red Wines of Burgundy and occasional contributes to various wine journals, including The World of Fine Wine. Nigel-Blundell.jpg DWWA Germany Judging Panel

Nigel Blundell is a former chairman of Siegel Wine Agencies, and now sells and consults for Awin Barratt Siegel. He has been UK agent for several 'Masters of Riesling' including Dr Loosen, Donnhoff, Gunderloch, Leitz and JL Wolf for 28 years. Nigel started in the wine trade at JJ Norman of Exeter at the end of 1959, which subsequently âwent out of business soon after he leftâ, an occurrence common to all the companies he has worked for with the exception of Fortnum & Mason. Nigel continues working âto pay for his yachtâ. Gearoid-Devaney-MS.jpg DWWA Germany Judging Panel

Gearoid Devaney MS is currently working for Flint wines, an independent merchant based in London. He was voted UK Sommelier of the Year 2008, Restaurant magazineâs Sommelier of the Year 2007 and is now a Master Sommelier. He was Head Sommelier at Londonâs Capital Hotel and has additionally worked at Londonâs l'Oranger and the three-Michelin starred Pierre Gagnaire in Paris. In 2003 he assisted Tom Aikens open his signature restaurant and was part of the team instrumental in the restaurant winning a Michelin star. Nico-Manessis.jpg DWWA Greece Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Nico Manessis is an expert on wines of his native Greece and the author of three wine books. He spends several months each year in various vineyards in Greece, the stories and videos of which are chronicled in his blog www.greekwineworld.com. His most recent endeavour was co-producing the award-winning documentary film Pelican's Watch on Santorini's unique vineyard (www.pelicanswatch.gr). He teaches at the Ãcole du Vin de Changins, Switzerland, and at the UniversitÃ© du Vin, Suze la Rousse, France. He is a member of the AcadÃ©mie Internationale du Vin. Maggie-McNie.jpg DWWA Greece Judging Panel

Maggie McNie MW has a wealth of experience in all aspects of the wine trade. She lectures for the Association of Wine Educators on the trade examination courses, as well as for fun in the UK, Ireland and North America. Her top specialities include Champagne (about which she has written a book published by Faber and Faber), the RhÃ´ne, the south of France, Germany and Greece. Olly-Smith.jpg DWWA Greece Judging Panel

Olly Smith is an enthusiastic British TV presenter, wine expert, writer and foodie. Presenter of The Secret Supper Club and Iron Chef UK for Channel 4, Olly also appeared regularly on BBC1's Saturday Kitchen.Other broadcast credits include Taste, Great Food Live, BBC Breakfast, Sky News, The Wright Stuff, as well as BBC Radio 2 and Radio 4. Olly is also the host of The BBC Good Food Show, drinks Ambassador for The Ideal Home Show and has previously hosted MasterChef Live, Channel 4âs Taste of London and the F-Word Live. Olly also writes a weekly wine column for The Mail on Sunday's Live Magazine. In 2010 he published his first book Eat & Drink and launched his first wine bar and eatery, The Glass House, on board the P&O ship Azura. Olly received the Portuguese Wine Award for Journalism 2012, the IWSC Communicator of the Year award 2009 for his work in food and wine and was the Drinks Business Young Achiever of the Year 2009. He has written for a number of childrenâs TV programmes, including Pingu and 'The Fly Who Loved Me', an animation which he produced in support of UNICEF. You can connect with Olly on his website www.ollysmith.com. Steve-Daniel.jpg DWWA Greece Judging Panel

Steve Daniel has been Buying Director of Novum Wines, a specialist importer focusing on restaurants, since 2003. He was previously at Oddbins where he was Buying and Marketing Director. During his time at Oddbins, Steve championed Greek wines and was largely responsible for increasing their profile in the UK. Theresa-Paopao.jpg DWWA Greece Judging Panel

Theresa Paopao hails from the small town of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii. She left island life to pursue a graduate degree at the Yale School of Drama in New Haven, CT and then moved to Boston where she fell in love with the restaurant business and the world of wine. In 2004, she joined Ana Sortun of Oleana in Cambridge, first as manager before expanding the role to include Wine Director. In 2010, she moved to New York City to take on the role of Wine Director for David Changâs Momofuku restaurants. Among other accolades and achivements, Paopao is certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers and is currently completing the Advanced Certification through WSET. Ana-Sapungiu.jpg DWWA Greece Judging Panel

Ana Sapungiu is a wine buyer for Oddbins that is under the new ownership of EFB. Ana developed her passion for wine in native Romania. She came to the UK in 2002 with a scholarship to do an MBA degree. Following that, her passion for wine got her into working with different wine importers in various sales and marketing roles. She then joined Vinopolis for a year as a Tour and Tasting Supervisor; after which she joined Oddbins, as part of the Trainee Management programme. From a role as Branch Manager, Ana moved to Head Office, first in a sales support role, then as a Trainee Buyer, before moving into the position of Buyer. Alongside her job, Ana judges at international wine competitions and is studying to become a Master of Wine. Caroline-Gilby-MW.jpg DWWA Hungary Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Caroline Gilby MW has been visiting Hungary for over 20 years since becoming the first major buyer to ship wines from there for Augustus Barnet off-licences. She has a doctorate in plant biology but abandoned life behind the microscope for a career in wine soon after winning the Decanter-Macallan Malt Whisky Taster of the Year Award while a student. Caroline passed her MW in 1992 then spent seven years as a senior wine buyer before switching to a career as freelance writer and consultant, specialising in Central and Eastern Europe.She contributes to Hugh Johnsonâs Pocket Wine Guide, and has written for Dorling Kindersleyâs Wines of the World, The Oxford Companion to Wine, The Wine Opus and Tom Stevensonâs Wine Report, as well as for various websites and magazines. Gabor-Cseke.jpg DWWA Hungary Judging Panel

GÃ¡bor Cseke is a Hungarian sommelier who graduated in 2005 from the College of Commerce, Catering and Tourism in Budapest. Following this he took further sommelier and WSET courses in Budapest and London while training at Gundel Restaurant and BortÃ¡rsasÃ¡g wine merchant. He moved to London in 2007 where he has worked in the two-Michelin-starred Pied Ã¡ Terre, Hotel Andaz and the Hotel Great Fosters in Surrey. GÃ¡bor represented Hungary at the Meilleur Sommelier d'Europe competition in 2008 and 2010, won Best Sommelier of Hungary in 2010, and in 2009 he organised a wine tasting at the Hungarian Cultural Centre in London for the press and trade. Currently, GÃ¡bor is working as the Sommelier at Restaurant CsalogÃ¡ny 26 in Budapest, is studying for his WSET Diploma and is setting up his own winery in the Zala wine region of South-West-Hungary. Arabella-Woodrow-MW.jpg DWWA Hungary Judging Panel

Arabella Woodrow MW joined the wine trade in 1979 after leaving university with a BA and a D Phil in Biochemistry. She worked first in the Fine Wine Division of Harveys of Bristol which gave her an excellent grounding in all the classic wine regions. After taking the WSET Higher Certificate and Diploma examinations in the early 1980s, Arabella was awarded the Vintnersâ Scholarship in 1983 and passed the MW exam in 1986. Since then, Arabella has worked in many different sectors of the trade and has been based in various locations from the south of England to Scotland. She moved to Yorkshire to join Morrisons as Wine Trading Manager in October 2007. Outside of work, Arabella has been a keen sportswoman for a number of years, regularly running marathons and taking part in triathlons and orienteering events. David-Bird-MW.jpg DWWA Hungary Judging Panel

David Bird MW started his working life as an analytical chemist for Colmans of Norwich. A promotion to Quality Control Manager of the new wine department in 1973 sparked a huge interest in wine and led to him passing the MW, winning the Tim Derouet Award and becoming a Chartered Chemist all in 1981. He was instrumental in the development of the bag-in-box whilst working for Stowells of Chelsea as Quality Assurance Manager. David set up his own consultancy in 1994 to provide a service of quality management to ISO9001 and wine production audits around Europe. David is also the author of Understanding Wine Technology, first published in 2000 and republished in 2010. He is past chairman of the Technical Committee of the WSTA and is Technical Advisor to The Wine Society and to the Royal Tokaji Wine Company. David-Copp.jpg DWWA Hungary Judging Panel

David Copp trained in all the main European wine regions and joined Bouchard Aine Ltd in London.He later joined G & J Greenall the Warrington based distillers of Greenalls Gin and Vladivar Vodka.He has written four wine books: Hungary: Its Fine Wines and Winemakers, which was shortlisted for the Louis Roederer International Wine Book of the Year Awards, and Tokaj. Australian Wine Walkabout and Bordeaux St Estephe were published in 2011 and 2012 respectively. A judge at several leading European Wine Competitions, David speaks regularly to wine societies in the UK. Andrew-Jefford.jpg DWWA Languedoc Roussillon Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Andrew Jefford is a columnist for both Decanter magazine and www.decanter.com. Andrew has been writing and broadcasting about wine (as well as about food, whisky, travel and perfume) since the 1980s, winning many awards â the latest for his work as a columnist. After spending 15 months as a senior research fellow at Adelaide University between 2009 and 2010, Andrew is now writing a book on Australiaâs wine landscape and terroirs. He lives in the Languedoc, on the frontier between the GrÃ¨s de Montpellier and Pic St Loup zones. Tim-Johnston.jpg DWWA Languedoc Roussillon Judging Panel

Tim Johnston entered the wine trade in 1966 with Findlater, Mackie & Todd before joining Hedges & Butler in Regent Street as a trainee. He also spent eight months working in the lower ranks at ChÃ¢teau Cantenac Brown in Margaux before moving to Aix en Provence to work for a British company exporting wine to the United States. After fifteen years in partnership with Mark Williamson of Willi's Wine Bar, Tim now runs Juveniles in Paris' Rue de Richelieu, which he opened in March 1987. specialising in Rhone, Provence and foreign wines - in fact anything that's not made of Pinot Noir, and isn't red Bordeaux. Juveniles is a great believer in screw-caps and glass tops, in fact anything that isn't cork! Yves-Desmaris-MS.jpg DWWA Languedoc Roussillon Judging Panel

Yves Desmaris MS attended the Centre de Formation dâApprentis (CFA) in Livron, France. Upon graduating in 1986, he moved to the London to work as commis sommelier at the Stafford Hotel in St James. During this time he completed the WSET Advanced Certificate & WSET Diploma. In 1992 he was awarded the title of Master Sommelier. He has been with Gary Rhodes for almost 13 years where he is Wine Buyer for UK restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Rhodes Twenty Four. Remi-Cousin.jpg DWWA Languedoc Roussillon Judging Panel

RÃ©mi Cousin moved to the UK in 2004 to work with Hotel du Vin. He then moved to the Fat Duck in 2008 as Assistant Sommelier. He won the Best Young Sommelier of UK Award in 2011 and was runner-up in the Best Young Sommelier of the World competition in Athens. RÃ©mi holds the advanced sommelier diploma form the Court of Master Sommeliers and is currently preparing for his MS, and the Best Sommelier in UK and Best Young Sommelier in the World competitions. Simon-Taylor.jpg DWWA Languedoc Roussillon Judging Panel

Simon Taylor read History of Art and spent 23 years at Sothebyâs as a picture expert and Manager before seeing the light and giving up a big salary to found Stone, Vine & Sun, a mail order merchant specializing in Languedoc-Roussillon, the RhÃ´ne, South Africa and South America. Matthew-Stubbs-MW.jpg DWWA Languedoc Roussillon Judging Panel

Matthew Stubbs MW began his career in the UK wine trade in 1987 after graduating with a language and business degree. He has worked in all aspects of the business from sales, marketing and brand management to buying, sourcing and retail development. He spent 14 years with Seagram, one of the worldâs largest drinks companies, followed by three years as director of wine at UK supermarket Safeway. In 2004, he moved to the South of France to set up his own consultancy and training company. Finally in July 2008, he opened VinÃ©cole, a wine school based at Domaine Gayda in the Languedoc. He qualified as an MW in 1996. Nathan-Nolan.jpg DWWA Languedoc Roussillon Judging Panel

Nathan Nolan is a food & drinks presenter/blogger from Canada. After moving to the UK in 1998, he has worked as a barman, waiter, sommelier and catering manager. Nathan discovered his passion for wine working in a gastro pub in Battersea 11 years ago. He then did a stint in retail for Oddbins and Philglass & Swiggot, on his way to getting his WSET Intermediate & Advanced Certificates. After working as a sommelier in Los Angeles and London, he started his own wine tasting business before graduating to presenting and blogging as Mr Drink âNâ Eat. Isabelle-Bachelard.jpg DWWA Languedoc Roussillon Judging Panel

Isabelle Bachelard is a Paris-based freelance wine journalist writing for the Revue du Vin de France, Vins Spiritueux et Boissons,a weekly newsletter,Guide Cuisine, Gala Gourmand and Intense, a new trendy food magazine starting in May. She trained with Steven Spurrier when he had his wine school, l'AcadÃ©mie du Vin, in Paris. Isabelleâs writing style accommodates her wide ranging audience, which includes trade professionals, wine lovers and those who simply like to dabble in wine. David-Vareille.jpg DWWA Languedoc Roussillon Judging Panel

David Vareille was raised in Chablis and has worked as a sommelier since the age of 16. At the age of 30, he became a professional Sommelier. David moved to the UK in 2006 and has worked at Lâenclume in Cartmel in the Lake District, the Hotel du Vin Birmingham, the Hotel du Vin Cambridge and the London-based Bleeding Heart. In 2010 he opened Bar Boulud in the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. Elizabeth-Gabay-MW.jpg DWWA Languedoc Roussillon Judging Panel

Elizabeth Gabay MW graduated with a history degree and, after a few years in publishing, the theatre and travelling, she settled down to concentrate on wine. Since the mid-1980s Elizabeth has specialised in the wines of south eastern France. She graduated as a Master of Wine in 1998. Until 2002 Elizabeth was an independent wine merchant, educator, consultant, corporate events host and lecturer on historic wines. She then moved to south east France where she continues teaching and writing about the wines of Provence, Hungary and northern Italy. She is currently working on her first book. Alex-Hunt-MW.jpg DWWA Languedoc Roussillon Judging Panel

Alex Hunt MW joined the wine trade as a van driver for Oddbins while studying philosophy and psychology at Oxford, where he captained the varsity blind-tasting team. After graduating in 2000, he joined Mayfair Cellars, holding both sales and buying roles. In 2006, he moved to Berkmann Wine Cellars, where he is currently Purchasing Director. Since February 2012 he has also written a monthly column on taste and tasting for jancisrobinson.com. Alex became a Master of Wine in 2010, winning the Madame Bollinger Medal for excellence in the tasting exam. Tom-Forrest.jpg DWWA Languedoc Roussillon Judging Panel

Tom Forrest was born in Edinburgh and fell in love with wine, especially Pinot Noir, at the age of 18 when he was given a bottle of Nuits-St-Georges by a hotel manager. Following a career in hotel management, he began teaching wine & spirits to hospitality students in 1982 and is currently the Wine and Spirits Education Manager at Vinopolis, where he has been working since 1999. Tom oversees the accredited WSET education programme and the calendar of master classes which includes the âMeet the Expertsâ series where Oz Clarke regularly features.He has judged at various international wine competitions since 1997, is the author of âThe Complete Wine Courseâ, published by Carlton Books and in 2007 he won the UK Champagne Ambassador competition and was a European finalist. Tom has appeared on TV shows including This Morning, Fake Britain and Come Date With Me as well as various local radio stations in London and the South East, including BBC Radio 4âs Today programme and the World Service. Jean-Pierre-Rabaste.jpg DWWA Languedoc Roussillon Judging Panel

Jean-Pierre Rabaste (also judged Chile) Born in Germany but of French Nationality, Jean-Pierre arrived in London in 1996. 16 years in London saw him working as a Sommelier in various establishments, including the Orrery, Hakkasan, Che Restaurant and Putney Bridge Restaurant. During this time, he has reached the national semi final of the Ruinart Sommelier of the year, the final of the Torres Competition, and received the Gosset Celebris Trophy Award for Best Champagne List of England. He was also nominated for ITV Carlton award for UK Best Wine List. Jean- Pierre is now a Director of a CIE called Top Selection which specialise in boutique wineries. Patricia-Langton.jpg DWWA Languedoc Roussillon Judging Panel

Patricia Langton is a freelance journalist and the former wine editor of Off Licence News. Her website and blog can be found at www.patricialangton.com. Beverley-Blanning-MW.jpg DWWA Languedoc Roussillon Judging Panel

Beverley Blanning MW is a London-based independent wine journalist and the author of Wine Tasting and Biodynamics in Wine. She is a feature writer and taster for Decanter and a contributor to other publications around the world. Beverley has judged at numerous wine competitions internationally. She is also a presenter and educator for corporate, consumer and trade events, including the Christie's Wine Course. She became a Master of Wine in 2001. Justin-Howard-Sneyd.jpg DWWA Languedoc Roussillon Judging Panel

Justin Howard-Sneyd MW started off in the wine business working in a shop, running wine education courses, and working six vintages in South Africa, Hungary, Romania and France. He then settled down in England to become a buyer for Safeway. He passed the MW in 1999, winning the Tim Derrouet Award as the outstanding student from his year, after which he joined Sainsbury's in 2000, where he spent five years as a buyer. From 2005 to 2010 he headed up Waitroseâs wine team. He is now Global Wine Director at Direct Wines. In addition to the day job, he and his family make 4,000 bottles a year of Domaine of the Bee, a blend of Grenache and Carignan grown on a few hectares of land in Roussillon. Matthew-Waldin.jpg DWWA Languedoc Roussillon Judging Panel

Matthew Waldin has worked in vineyards and wineries of all shapes and sizes in both hemispheres. A specialist writer, speaker and consultant on biodynamic wine, Monty was the subject of the first ever television series, Channel Four's Chateau Monty, which aired in 2008, to document the production of biodynamic wine from pruning to bottling. Arabella-Woodrow-MW.jpg DWWA Languedoc Roussillon Judging Panel

Arabella Woodrow MW joined the wine trade in 1979 after leaving university with a BA and a D Phil in Biochemistry. She worked first in the Fine Wine Division of Harveys of Bristol which gave her an excellent grounding in all the classic wine regions. After taking the WSET Higher Certificate and Diploma examinations in the early 1980s, Arabella was awarded the Vintnersâ Scholarship in 1983 and passed the MW exam in 1986. Since then, Arabella has worked in many different sectors of the trade and has been based in various locations from the south of England to Scotland. She moved to Yorkshire to join Morrisons as Wine Trading Manager in October 2007. Outside of work, Arabella has been a keen sportswoman for a number of years, regularly running marathons and taking part in triathlons and orienteering events. Jim-Budd.jpg DWWA Loire Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Jim Budd moved from education to wine in 1988 and has contributed to Decanter since 1989. He is editor of Circle Update, the newsletter of the Circle of Wine Writers. He continues to expose the dangers of drinks investment on his award-winning website, investdrinks.org, which now has a complementary blog, investdrinksblog.blogspot.com. Jimâs other blog is the award-winning Jimâs Loire and he is one of the five members of Les 5 du Vin blog. He also contributes to Hugh Johnsonâs Pocket Wine Book and is a keen photographer, especially in the Loire. Ken-Mackay-MW.jpg DWWA Loire Judging Panel

Ken Mackay MW has worked in the wine trade since graduating from Oxford in 1999. In 2006 he passed his Master of Wine exams at age 28, becoming one of the youngest people ever to do so. During his studies, he was the recipient of several scholarships. Ken has been a Wine Buyer for Waitrose since 2008 and is responsible for sourcing wines from Bordeaux, the Loire, RhÃ´ne, Alsace, Germany, Austria, South Africa and the USA. Nigel-Wilkinson.jpg DWWA Loire Judging Panel

Nigel Wilkinson has run Londonâs RSJ restaurant for 30 years. The restaurantâs wine list focuses on the Loire, boasting more than 300 wines from the region. Nigel began travelling to the Loire 25 years ago and is a regular visitor. Vicki-Stephens-Clarkson.jpg DWWA Loire Judging Panel

Vicki Stephens-Clarkson joined the wine trade in 2000. She worked in sales and buying with numerous wine companies including Lay & Wheeler and Direct Wines, before joining Liberty Wines as Buyer in 2008. She has worked in wineries in France, Australia and Argentina, and speaks French, Spanish and Russian. She specialises in several French regions, as well as South America, and is currently studying for her MW. Yves-Desmaris-MS.jpg DWWA Loire Judging Panel

Yves Desmaris MS attended the Centre de Formation dâApprentis (CFA) in Livron, France. Upon graduating in 1986, he moved to the London to work as commis sommelier at the Stafford Hotel in St James. During this time he completed the WSET Advanced Certificate & WSET Diploma. In 1992 he was awarded the title of Master Sommelier. He has been with Gary Rhodes for almost 13 years where he is Wine Buyer for UK restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Rhodes Twenty Four. Chris-Kissack.jpg DWWA Loire Judging Panel

Chris Kissack is the author of Winedoctor (www.thewinedoctor.com), which he has been publishing for more than 10 years, and which is now visited by more than 15,000 readers every day. He has focused on the Loire and Bordeaux for many years, and has been a frequent visitor to both regions since 1993. In the Loire Chris visits domaines, experiences the vineyards first hand, meets the winemakers and reports on their wines from the annual Salon des Vins de Loire, while in Bordeaux, Chris is a regular reporter from the annual en primeur tastings, as well as a reviewer of the wines in bottle at two and four years of age, and into maturity. Jason-Yapp.jpg DWWA Loire Judging Panel

Jason Yapp is the Managing Director of Yapp Brothers, wine merchants specialising in wines from regional France with a particular emphasis on the RhÃ´ne and Loire. Jason has a key buying role for Yapp Brothers and makes regular trips to the vineyards to liaise with growers. He also works very closely with Yapp Brothersâ trade clients who encompass over 50 Michelin stars in total. He has worked in the family business for 19 years, having previously spent time in France working on various vineyards and managed a wine shop for Oddbins in Islington. Jason has hosted numerous professional wine tastings throughout the UK as well as in France, New Zealand and the USA. He is also a lecturer for the WSET at diploma level. Katie-Exton.jpg DWWA Loire Judging Panel

Katie began her wine career in 2005 helping out Peter Hall at English winery Breaky Bottom. She then spent six months working in wineries in Canada and Australia. On her return to the UK in 2006, Katie joined Majestic Wine, before taking the trainee sommelier position at Chez Bruce in 2007 under the stewardship of fellow Decanter judge Terry Threlfall. After a six month stint at Mayfair's The Square restaurant, Katie returned to Chez Bruce in March 2010 as Head Sommelier where she currently works. Angela-Muir-MW-.jpg DWWA Southeast Mediterranean Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Angela Muir MW started her career with John Harvey & Sons of Bristol, shortly after leaving Bristol University with a degree in Politics and Economics. She then joined Grants of St James's and Victoria Wine as a Buyer. In 1988 Angela set up her own prize-winning wine shop and school which she followed up with Cellarworld International, a wine consultancy, and Cellarworld Argentina in 2002. Angela also lectures in French, English and Spanish on wine production and the UK market. She is an MW of more than 30 years' standing, a past chairman of the MW Education Committee, and past president of the Wine and Spirit Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Isa-Bal-MS.jpg DWWA Southeast Mediterranean Judging Panel

Isa Bal MS has been the head Sommelier at The Fat Duck in Bray for the past five years. He is a Master Sommelier and in 2008 he won the title of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (A.S.I.) Best Sommelier of Europe. When not immersed in wine, Isa enjoys being outdoors, taking every opportunity to either paint or shoot. Luis-Capitao.jpg DWWA Southeast Mediterranean Judging Panel

Luis Capitao is a California-based wine industry veteran and international wine consultant. Former roles have included advising Eastern European wineries and government associations on export strategies, a ten-year period in strategic marketing with Constellation Wines U.S., and a tenure as Marketing Director of WJ Deutsch and Sons, Inc during which time he successfully rolled out Yellow Tail in the US. Luis holds an MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a BA in economics from Rutgers University. He is currently Managing Partner of Touchstone Wines, a sales and marketing firm working with foreign wineries, which he co-founded. Darrell-Joseph-.jpg DWWA Southeast Mediterranean Judging Panel

Darrel Joseph is based in Vienna and began writing about the wines of Central, Eastern and south eastern Europe in 1995, after Hungaryâs Tokaji, and the GrÃ¼ner Veltliner and Riesling from Austria captured his palate. Since then he has broadened his scope to include the wines of Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Georgia, Russia and beyond. His writing has appeared in Decanter, Wine Spectator, Wine Business International and Harpers Wine & Spirit, and he has also contributed to Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Guide and wein-pur's Best of Austria and Guide to GrÃ¼ner Veltliner. He was the English language editor to LÃ¡szlo Alkonyiâs Tokaj, The Wine of Freedom. In addition to his writing, Joseph conducts wine tastings and seminars internationally and translates a wide range of wine texts from German to English. Dimitar-Nikolov.jpg DWWA Southeast Mediterranean Judging Panel

Dimitar Nikolov is a Bulgarian sommelier, wine buyer and taster. He possesses twelve yearsâ experience in the hospitality industry and has worked in Bulgaria, the UAE and the USA. In 2004, Dimitar decided to focus his career to work only in wine, so commenced his formal studies at the International Sommelier Guild in Chicago and continued with the WSET, where is is currently studying for the Diploma. His future goal is the Master of Wine course. Past wine experience has included various sommelier positions in the USA and Bulgaria, and positions as Wine Buyer and Wine Category Manager in Bulgaria and Russia respectively. Dimitar has also been a judge for Bulgariaâs Vinaria for two consecutive years. Poh-Tiong-Ch'ng-.jpg DWWA Middle and Far East Asia Judging Panel : Regional Chair

A lawyer by training, Châng Poh Tiong is publisher of The Singapore Wine Review and also writes a weekly wine blog on www.sina.com, one of Chinaâs largest internet portals. In 2000 he published the worldâs first Guide to Bordeaux in Chinese and, later on, www.chinesebordeauxguide.com, the worldâs first bilingual Chinese/English website on Bordeaux wine. He founded the International Congress of Chinese Cuisine & Wine and www.vinovideos.com, the worldâs first Chinese/English website devoted entirely to wine videos. Châng is author of 108 Great Chinese Dishes Paired, which is also an ebook at www.108chinesepairings.com. Rebecca-Leung.jpg DWWA Middle and Far East Asia Judging Panel

Ms Rebecca Leung is an independent wine educator, wine journalist & consultant based in Hong Kong. Rebecca is one of the most prolific wine writers in Hong Kong. She writes her own wine blog "Wine is Beautiful", and has regular columns in many local, regional and international wine publications. She hosts an online wine programme and a radio wine show. Rebecca has judged in various international wine competitions. Rebecca was born & raised in Hong Kong, but had also spent time residing in Canada with her parents. The mixed cultural background has given her a broad horizon on lifestyle, which has heavily influenced her palate & views towards wine & food. Stephane-Soret-.jpg DWWA Middle and Far East Asia Judging Panel

StÃ©phane Soret graduated with a Sommelier Diploma in NÃ®mes and moved to London in 1989 for his first Sommelier position at Ma Cuisine before heading to Paris, starting at Ledoyen and working his way upwards in hospitality while obtaining a hotel management degree at CMH-Paris, European Center of International Hotel Management.In 1994 Stephane moved to the US, working for hotels including the Campton Place Hotel in San Francisco, where he won The Wine Spectatorâs Best Award of Excellence for their wine list in 2000. After being involved with the launch of Napa Valleyâs Wine.com and working at Vigneron Imports, he headed back to Paris for a Sommelier role at Michelin-starred Le Cinq (George V) and managed the Cellar of the Quai dâOrsay for the French Minister of Foreign Affairs. 2005 saw Stephane's return to London as Head Sommelier for Mosimannâs and since then he has been working in the Middle and Far East, and is currently Wine Director at Raffles in Singapore. Annette-Scarfe.jpg DWWA Middle and Far East Asia Judging Panel

Annette Scarfe consults for restaurants in London, Hong Kong and Singapore including Alan Yauâs Princi and Bettys. She has previously consulted for Sake No Hana and runs regular training sessions for the on-trade at several restaurants in London. Annette is a regular member of magazine tasting panels and is also a Bordeaux educator and WSET certified educator. She is currently studying for the Master of Wine. Magandeep-Singh-.jpg DWWA Middle and Far East Asia Judging Panel

Magandeep Singh is Indiaâs first French-qualified sommelier and professional wine taster. Since qualifying about ten years ago, Magandeep has worked in India where he consults via his company Wi-Not Beverage Solutions. He is also an established freelance wine, food, travel, and lifestyle writer with regular columns in several national newspapers and magazines, and he has conducted wine training workshops across India for the most prestigious on- and off-trade establishments. He is the author of Wine Wisdom which is now in its third edition and was awarded the Silver Medal at the World Gourmand Awards as an educational reference. Magandeep and his Wi-Not partners recently inaugurated Indiaâs first ever accredited wine school, the âInstitute of Wine + Beverage Studiesâ, in New Delhi. Margaret-Harvey-MW.jpg DWWA New Zealand Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Margaret Harvey MW was born and educated in Auckland, New Zealand, and came to the UK on a two-year working holiday in 1975, during which time she attended various wine courses. Harvey started Fine Wines of New Zealand in 1985 by importing 100 cases of wine from small, family-run properties. She passed her MW in 1991. In 1998, she was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit, and in 2006, was awarded Honorary Life Member to New Zealand Winegrowers for services to the industry. Jim-Harre.jpg DWWA New Zealand Judging Panel

Jim Harre worked for Air New Zealand as a Flight Attendant, Inflight Service Director and Wine Consultant for over 30 years where he was instrumental in the creation of the Air New Zealand Wine Club and the development of the Flight Attendant Wine Education Programme. Jim and his wife now own and operate The Gates Country Lodge, a boutique luxury lodge situated in New Zealandâs South Island. After studying winemaking and viticulture at EIT in Hawkeâs Bay, Jim worked vintages in France, Australia and New Zealand and then spent a short period at Christies Fine Wine Department in London. In 2000 Jim authored a research paper âThe effect of the aircraft environment has on the sensory perception of wineâ. During the last ten years, Jim has been a senior member of the judging teams at several national and international wine competitions, including New Zealand Wine Growers national competition and is currently Chairman of Judges of the New World Wine Awards Competition. Mai-Tjemsland-MW.jpg DWWA New Zealand Judging Panel

Mai Tjemsland MW is an Oslo-based restaurateur with her own company GastroConsult AS. She holds a BI in Business Economy and Marketing, was certificated as a Sommelier in 1996 and became a Master of Wine in 2009. Claiming Italy is her favourite wine country, Mai has worked internationally in the hospitality industry for over 25 years and now oversees her own restaurant and catering companies. Alongside this, Mai lectures at sommelier schools, the WSET and the Institute of Masters of Wine as well as consulting for importers and holding Masterclasses on subjects including New Trends in Chile, California, and Food and Wine in Harmony. Laurent-Chaniac.jpg DWWA New Zealand Judging Panel

Laurent Chaniac is food and wine consultant to The Cinnamon Club and Kitchen in London where his expertise in matching wines to Indian cuisine has become very popular. He has been described as a sommelier who âhas pioneered some revolutionary ideas on pairing wine with the constantly evolving Indian flavours." He has also worked in various managerial positions with some of London's finest dining experiences for years, including L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, The Square Restaurant and The Stafford Hotel, all part of the group holding 25 Michelin stars. Justin-Liddle.jpg DWWA New Zealand Judging Panel

Richard Hemming started working in wine retail in 2001. After completing the WSET Diploma in 2007, he went to McLaren Vale and survived the 2008 vintage as a cellar hand. While there, he started writing about his experiences for www.JancisRobinson.com and now writes articles and tasting notes for the site every week. Richard is also drinks writer for Sainsburyâs Magazine and has been published by Decanter, The Drinks Business, Harpers Wine & Spirit, and The World of Fine Wine. Alongside writing, Richard tutors for the London Wine Academy and runs wine dinners at the Bull & Last in Highgate. He has also worked as a viticultural assistant for Gusbourne Estate in Kent and offers cellar consultation services to private clients. Richard was runner-up for the Young Wine Writer Award in 2007 and 2008, and shortlisted for the Louis Roederer Emerging Wine Writer Award 2010. He is currently completing his MW. Robert-Giorgione.jpg DWWA New Zealand Judging Panel

Robert Giorgione is a London-based, independent wine, food and travel writer, blogger and award-winning sommelier. He has been in the hospitality industry for more than 25 years, including 15 years as a top-flight sommelier for Oxo Tower Restaurant, La Tante Claire, Fifth Floor at Harvey Nichols and Orrery Restaurant. He has won and been nominated for the best wine list many times. Since 2006, Robert has been writing for the Borough Market and Marylebone Journal magazines. In 2009, Robert went to New Zealand to research his first book An Epicurean Odyssey: A Road Trip Around New Zealand, which he self-published in 2011 via Lulu.com. Robertâs knowledge and experience has enabled him to set up his own consultancy and roving sommelier social media business. You can connect with Robert at www.robertgiorgione.com and follow his tweets and updates on Twitter @rovingsommelier. Roger-Jones.jpg DWWA New Zealand Judging Panel

Roger Jones owns the Michelin-starred âThe Harrow at Little Bedwynâ, and combines his kitchen duties with a love of wine and frequent visits to Australia to enhance the 350 Australian wines from his 1,000-bin list. Roger also consults and advises numerous corporate companies_pg_Decanter.He is a 'Fellow' of The Master Chefs of Great Britain, and sits on their Executive Committee. He works closely with both Westminster and Swindon Catering Colleges, as well as with schools all over the South West. He is also involved in charity work, both as host of numerous cookery events, and through running in The London Marathon (usually a few days after DWWA Judging Week!). He has recently raised Â£80,000 for SCOPE and achieved a Guinness World Record. Steven-Skelton-MW.jpg DWWA New Zealand Judging Panel

Stephen Skelton MW started his career in wine in 1975. After 12 months at Schloss SchÃ¶nborn in Germany's Rheingau winegrowing region and two terms at Geisenheim Wine School, he returned to the UK in 1977 to establish Tenterden Vineyards in Kent, where he made wine for 23 vintages. He was Winemaker at Lamberhurst Vineyards from 1988â1991. Stephen is a consultant to the English wine industry and is involved with planting vineyards for the production of sparkling wine. He became a Master of Wine in 2003. Matt-Wilkin-MS.jpg DWWA New Zealand Judging Panel

Matt Wilkin MS is Australiaâs first Master Sommelier. Following 10 years building on restaurant & wine experience in his native Australia, Matt moved to the UK in 1998 where he worked as Head Sommelier at the Michelin two-starred Capital Restaurant and then as Wine Buyer for Hotel Group Knightsbridgeâs six restaurants; whilst also working several Stages at a time throughout the Loire & Bordeaux regions from 2000 to 2005. He is currently joint owner and Sales Director of H2Vin, and consults for several highly rated London restaurants. Matt contributes his experience to the Academy of Food & Wine Service for the UK Wine Service Standards Committee and is actively involved in the Examining Board for The Court of Master Sommeliers. He is the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships, the most recent being âYoung Australian Achiever of the Year in the UKâ. Philip-Tuck-MW.jpg DWWA New Zealand Judging Panel

Philip Tuck MW has been in the wine business for 24 years, starting in the industry straight out of university in 1986 when he joined Avery's in Bristol. From there, he spent time working for wineries in various countries including South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, the USA, Chile and Italy. He returned to the UK in 1993 to help set up Hatch Mansfield where he is currently Wine Director. He became an MW in 1999. Philippa-Carr-MW.jpg DWWA New Zealand Judging Panel

Philippa Carr MW started her wine career as President of the student Wine Circle at the University of Bristol. Since then she has held many roles for several companies covering wine buying, managing retail stores, wine journalism and wine education at Leith's School of Food and Wine. In 1991 she passed the Master of Wine exam and the same year joined the inaugural Wine Flight of Lifetime to Australia. Joining Asda in 2005, Philippa currently leads their wine selection focusing particularly on the quality of the Asda Brand and Extra Special ranges. Philippa has a reputation for being an inveterate Francophile but is equally passionate about Southern Hemisphere wines.

Rhys-Pender-MW.jpg DWWA New Zealand Judging Panel

Rhys Pender MW is a wine educator, consultant, judge and freelance writer contactable via his company Wine Plus+ and his website www.rhyspender.com. He writes for a number of publications, judges internationally and is increasingly becoming recognised as one of Canadaâs leading experts in the wine business. In 2008 Rhys was named as one of the âTop 40 Foodies Under 40â in Western Canada by Western Living magazine, and in 2010 Rhys became Canadaâs youngest Master of Wine. His career plan is to wait for Robert Parker to retire so he can finally claim back his initials RP for wine reviews. Richard-Baudains.jpg DWWA Piedmont Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Richard Baudains was born and bred in Jersey in the Channel Islands and trained to be a teacher of English as a foreign language in order to satisfy his wanderlust. After several years in various foreign climes, Richard settled down in beautiful Friuli-Venezia Giulia, having had the good fortune to reside previously in the winemaking regions of Piemonte, Tuscany, Liguria and Trentino-Alto Adige. Richard wrote his first article for Decanter in 1989 and has been a regular contributor on Italian wines ever since.His day job as Director of a language school conveniently leaves time for a range of wine-related activities including writing for the Slow Wine Guide, editing, translating, leading tastings and lecturing in wine journalism at the UniversitÃ delle Scienze Gastronomiche. Sergio-de-Luca.jpg DWWA Piedmont Judging Panel

Sergio de Luca is Director of Buying for Italy at Enotria World Wine. He has 30 yearsâ experience in the UK market and has been at Enotria for more than 25 years. Sergioâs family is in farming and all his experience is connected with the wine world, having studied and completed a degree in winemaking in Italy. Thomas-Rooch.jpg DWWA Piedmont Judging Panel

Thomas Rooch is a native German who has lived most of his live in Asia and speaks fluent Chinese, German, English and some Japanese. He graduated from Fu-Hsing College in Taipei, Taiwan, and holds a Diploma in Hotel Management and Administration from Institut Hotelier âCesar Ritzâ, Switzerland. His vast experience includes various positions in Asia, the USA, Europe and the Middle East for Hyatt International, Hilton, Ritz-Carlton, The Peninsula in Hong Kong, One & Only Luxury Resorts, and the Asia Wine Service & Education Centre in Hong Kong. Thomas is a member of âThe Sommeliers of Asiaâ and the official âAmbassador of German Wineâ for the VDP, German Wine Institute. He has also judged at several international wine competitions since 2006. Thomas currently works as General Manager at Anantaraâs Sanya Resort and Spa on Hainan Island, China. Walter-Speller.jpg DWWA Piedmont Judging Panel

Walter Speller started his career in wine as a wine buyer and sommelier in an Italian restaurant in the 1990s in Berlin. Before moving to London in 2003, he worked a vintage at ChÃ¢teau Haut-Bages-LibÃ©ral in Pauillac. In London, Speller worked for Terence Conranâs Le Pont de la Tour, first as a sommelier then as a buyer for its wine merchant, a role which involved looking after its 1,400-bin list and organising more than 150 master classes with winemakers from all over the world. In 2008, he set up his own consultancy and works with producers from Italy. Based in London and Padua, Walter also reports on all things Italian on www.jancisrobinson.com, and is currently researching for the Italian chapter of the new edition of the World Atlas of Wine. Massimilliano-Jacobacci.jpg DWWA Piedmont Judging Panel

Massimiliano Jacobacci was immersed in the world of fine wines while growing up as both his father and grandfather were respected Oenologists. He studied Biology in his home town of Rome and then after serving as an officer in the Italian navy, he arrived in London. Intrigued by the changing palates of the city, Massimiliano joined a new generation of young chefs and cooked professionally for three years before returning to his roots in the wine industry. Inspired by the Hemingway novel, he set up âA Moveable Feastâ, running wine tasting dinners and consulting for food and wine dot coms. In 2004, Massimiliano founded FortyFive10Â° to import some of Italyâs finest and terroir specific wines, focusing on wholesale and retail markets. Nick-Bielak.jpg DWWA Piedmont Judging Panel

After several forays to Italy, Nick Bielak emigrated in 1996 and inevitably became involved in wine, working for a Puglian winery until 2003. He then returned to London to work for Bibendum as an Italian specialist. Since 2006 he has had the privilage of working with Nicolas Belfrage MW, with whom he roams Italy's vast expanse of DOCs and DOCGs, consulting with producers and enologists in an attempt to synthesize the exponential and detailed world that is Italian wine. Nick currently spends half his time in Italy and half in London. Chris-Murphy.jpg DWWA Piedmont Judging Panel

Chris Murphy has worked at Marks & Spencer all his life and has spent the best part of the last three decades sourcing wines from around the world.For the past five years he has concentrated on the M&S Wine Club, âWine Onlineâ and has judged at wine competitions both at home and abroad. Chris has tried to adhere to the advice given him by Christopher Tatham when he was first starting out, that âthe first duty of a wine is to be deliciousâ. Daniele-Cernilli.jpg DWWA Piedmont Judging Panel

Daniele Cernilli was born in Rome and graduated with a Masters in Philosophy. He entered the wine trade in 1979 at Vini & Liquori, a monthly magazine. He then co-founded what would become the annual Gambero Rosso Vini dâItalia as an aid to wine lovers in 1987. Daniele has held various editorial positions, including Editor-at-large of Gambero Rosso magazine and Wine Travel Food. In 1988 he was named Editor-in-Chief of Vini dâItalia (also published in English as Italian Wines), where he directed the tastings of wines entered from all over Italy â a few hundred in the first edition to over 18,000 in the 2010 edition. In 1999, Daniele started writing for Rai Sat / Gambero Rosso Channel and, in 2009, he was made Editor-in-Chief of the programme. Daniele has consulted for the Associazione Italiana Sommelier (AIS) and the Worldwide Sommelier Association (WSA), and is currently working on his own Italian & English web magazine, Doctor WIne (doctorwine.it). Marcia-Waters-MW.jpg DWWA Piedmont Judging Panel

Marcia Waters works for The Oxford Wine Company, consults to the trade and is chair of Education Examination Board at the Institute of Masters of Wine. She became a Master Of Wine herself in 1990 and in the past has worked as a buyer for Victoria Wine and Tesco, run the UK office of Vergelegen and Boschendal, as well as working for Rothschild Wine at Waddesdon Manor. Andrea-Bricarello.jpg DWWA Piedmont Judging Panel

Andrea Briccarello is Head Sommelier at La Chapelle, the winner of the Best Wine List at the National restaurants Awards 2011. He was previously Group Sommelier and Wine Buyer for Corrigan's Mayfair, Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill, and Lindsay House. Andrea has also worked at the Michelin-starred Umu, and was named Sommelier of the Year 2009 by Taste of London, as well as being the winner of the Wines of Roussillon Dessert Trophy in 2010. Angelo-Sabbadin.jpg DWWA Piedmont Judging Panel

Angelo Sabbadin, Wine Director Angelo was born and raised outside the city of Padua in northeastern Italy. His interest in wine began when he was stationed to do military service in the hills outside Gorizia, close to the Slovenian boarder, where he fell in love first with the vineyards and consequently with the local wines. After working as a sommelier for twenty years in many of Paduaâs top restaurants, Angelo joined the wine team at Le Calandre in 2006. He gradually worked his way from cellar manager to wine buyer for all six restaurants of the Alajmo family restaurants, including Gran Caffe & Ristorante Quadri in St. Markâs Square, Venice. In January 2010, Angelo revolutionized the wine list at Le Calandre, organizing it by grape variety rather than region and formatting for Ipad. His hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed. He was named Sommelier of the Year in 2011 in Italyâs Espresso Wine Guide. Richard-Mayson.jpg DWWA Port and Madeira Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Peter Cobb has spent his entire business life in the wine trade in London with Cockburns Port, in Bristol as export sales manager of Harveys, and, for 20 years,in Portugal, where he was a Director of Cockburns.Now retired, he lives in Oporto and writes on Port and Sherry for various UK and American magazines.He is delighted that his son, Freddie, is following him into the trade, âdespite, or perhaps even because of, his father's stringent recommendations to the contraryâ. Peter-Cobb.jpg DWWA Port and Madeira Judging Panel

Peter Cobb has spent his entire business life in the wine trade in London with Cockburns Port, in Bristol as export sales manager of Harveys, and, for 20 years,in Portugal, where he was a Director of Cockburns.Now retired, he lives in Oporto and writes on Port and Sherry for various UK and American magazines.He is delighted that his son, Freddie, is following him into the trade, âdespite, or perhaps even because of, his father's stringent recommendations to the contraryâ. Ben-Campbell---Johnston.jpg DWWA Port and Madeira Judging Panel

Ben Campbell-Johnston has been in the wine trade for 17 years. After a spate at Oddbins, he worked for two years with the Symingtons in Oporto and the Douro and then as their Brand Manager in the UK. Ben currently works as a freelance consultant, mainly with Portuguese and Fortified Wine producers. He is also the joint-organiser of âThe Big Fortified Tastingâ, the biggest tasting of its kind in the world. Ben is also the UK agent for WineStein, a unique software application for intelligent food and wine matching. Godfrey-Spence.jpg DWWA Port and Madeira Judging Panel

Godfrey Spence is one of the UKâs most experienced and popular wine educators. Starting in the retail sector, he soon started training staff which led to him becoming a Senior Lecturer at the WSET. Now working freelance, he runs the-wine-school.com and writes regularly on Portugal and Port for national and international publications. Godfrey is the author of three books, including the Prix Lanson short-listed The Port Companion which has been translated into nine languages and described by Bruce Guimaraens, Director of Taylor's and Fonseca, as âthe definitive book on Portâ. Sarah-Ahmed-.jpg DWWA Portugal Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Sarah Ahmed, aka The Wine Detective, is an independent, London-based wine writer, educator and judge with a particular interest in the wines of Australia, the Loire, Portugal and South Africa. Sarah was awarded the Vintners Cup in 2003, the Portuguese Annual Wine Awardsâ Wine Writer of the Year 2009, and was short-listed for the International Wine & Spirit Competition Communicator of the Year in 2009 and 2010. In addition to publishing www.thewinedetective.co.uk, she contributes to leading wine publications on Portugal including Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book, Wine Behind the Label (8th edition) and is currently consulting on the 7th edition of The World Atlas of Wine. Nick-Oakley.jpg DWWA Portugal Judging Panel

Nick has been in the wine trade for 28 years, starting firstly with wine merchants Lay & Wheeler in Colchester.He then established his own business as a general wholesaler specialising in Portuguese wine after a 'road to Damascus' conversion following a visit there in the late 80s.His company, Oakley Wine Agencies, is today of the UKâs leading Portuguese specialists, and counts every major supermarket group in its client portfolio. In recent years the company has also started supplying markets as far afield as Norway, Ireland, Abu Dhabi and Jamaica with Portuguese wines.Nick is married with three adult children, one of whom, Charlotte, works in the company. Remi-Cousin.jpg DWWA Portugal Judging Panel

RÃ©mi Cousin moved to the UK in 2004 to work with Hotel du Vin. He then moved to the Fat Duck in 2008 as Assistant Sommelier. He won the Best Young Sommelier of UK Award in 2011 and was runner-up in the Best Young Sommelier of the World competition in Athens. RÃ©mi holds the advanced sommelier diploma form the Court of Master Sommeliers and is currently preparing for his MS, and the Best Sommelier in UK and Best Young Sommelier in the World competitions. Joao-Paulo-Martins.jpg DWWA Portugal Judging Panel

JoÃ£o Paulo Martins is a journalist who writes for Revista de Vinhos and has been the editor of Portugalâs oldest wine guide, Vinhos de Portugal, for the past 18 years. He is also the author of The Pleasure of Port, a book available in both Portuguese and English, and co-author, with Chef Vitor Sobral, of O Portugal de Hoje Ã Mesa, a book about Portuguese food and wine pairing, and The Wine in Portugal JoÃ£o has been a regular judge at the Brussels World Competition since 1998 and has also judged at competitions in London, South Africa, Brazil, Spain and Chile. He holds a degree in History from the Universidade de Lisboa. Joao-Pires-MS.jpg DWWA Portugal Judging Panel

JoÃ£o Pires is the Head Sommelier at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London. Born in Portugal, he moved to the UK in January of 2005 and he has worked as a sommelier for twenty years in Paris, Lisbon, Montreal, Toronto and the United Kingdom before becoming Wine Director for the Vineyard at Stockcross in Berkshire and the Capital Hotel in London. Prior to joining Blumenthalâs Dinner, he worked at Gordon Ramsayâs Royal Hospital Road. JoÃ£o is a Master Sommelier, is presently enrolled with the Master of Wine Education Program and judges for wine competitions across the world. Luis-Sottomayor.jpg DWWA Portugal Judging Panel

Luis Sottomayor worked in several wine regions before entering the Port wine business in 1989. Today, he is responsible for the Douro operation of Sogrape, leading a team of winemakers, tasters and cellar workers, as well as supervising the Companyâs wineries in the Douro region. Born and raised in Portugal, he studied at Charles Sturt University and the UniversitÃ© de Bourgogne and holds a post graduate degree in Oenology from the Escola Superior de Biotecnologia do Porto. Luis has been a member of the Douro and Porto Wines Institute since 2000. Matthieu-Longuere-MS.jpg DWWA Portugal Judging Panel

Matthieu LonguÃ¨re MS is originally from Bordeaux and studied catering at college for six years before coming to England in 1994. Since then he has worked as Head Sommelier at Lucknam Park near Bath, the Hotel du Vin in Bristol and La Trompette in Chiswick. He won the UK Sommelier of the Year Competition TrophÃ©e Ruinart in 2000, passed the WSET Diploma in 2002 and became a Master Sommelier in 2005. He speaks French, Spanish, English and basic Swedish. Matthieu was a semi-finalist at the Best Sommelier of Europe Competition 2010 where he represented the UK. Claudio-Martins.jpg DWWA Portugal Judging Panel

Claudio Martins grew up in the Dao region of Portugal, surrounded by vineyards and spending the school holidays helping the local producers with the harvest. In return, he received a few Escudos but a wealth of knowledge about turning the humble grape into such a blissful drink. Claudioâs approach to wine is that it should be kept simple, fun and available so that all can enjoy it. He specialises in Portuguese wines and strongly believes that Portugal has much to offer both as a wine region and for the impressive quality of its wines. Danny-Cameron.jpg DWWA Portugal Judging Panel

Danny Cameron started his career in the hospitality industry, training at London's CafÃ© Royal. He went on to lead an eight-sommelier team at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, and became House Manager at Danesfield House in Buckinghamshire. Five years as an independent wine merchant followed, before becoming a Director of Portugal-specialist Raymond Reynolds Ltd. In addition, he runs an award-winning wine consultancy business, dcpr, and is the retiring Chairman of the Association of Portuguese Wine Importers; a group he founded in 2004. Godfrey-Spence.jpg DWWA Portugal Judging Panel

Godfrey Spence is one of the UKâs most experienced and popular wine educators. Starting in the retail sector, he soon started training staff which led to him becoming a Senior Lecturer at the WSET. Now working freelance, he runs the-wine-school.com and writes regularly on Portugal and Port for national and international publications. Godfrey is the author of three books, including the Prix Lanson short-listed The Port Companion which has been translated into nine languages and described by Bruce Guimaraens, Director of Taylor's and Fonseca, as âthe definitive book on Portâ. Goran-Klintberg.jpg DWWA Portugal Judging Panel

GÃ¶ran Klintberg has been involved in the Swedish wine 25 years where he has worked as a bartender, sommelier and manager for numerous restaurants. In 2006, he was elected President of the Swedish Sommelier Association and in 2009 became a Wine Buyer for the Swedish off-trade monopoly, Systembolaget, where he is responsible for wines from Argentina and Portugal as well as for sake and Swedish GlÃ¶gg. GÃ¶ran holds the WSET Advanced Certificate and is currently studying for his Diploma. When he is not doing something wine-related, GÃ¶ran enjoys a secondary career as a singer/songwriter and has released a number of CDs. Ben-Campbell-Johnston.jpg DWWA Portugal Judging Panel

Ben Campbell-Johnston has been in the wine trade for 17 years. After a spate at Oddbins, he worked for two years with the Symingtons in Oporto and the Douro and then as their Brand Manager in the UK. Ben currently works as a freelance consultant, mainly with Portuguese and Fortified Wine producers. He is also the joint-organiser of âThe Big Fortified Tastingâ, the biggest tasting of its kind in the world. Ben is also the UK agent for WineStein, a unique software application for intelligent food and wine matching. Beverley-Tabbron.jpg DWWA Portugal Judging Panel

Beverly Tabbron MW graduated from Kings College London in 1979 with a BA joint honours degree in German and Latin. Since passing her MW in 1996, Beverly has been responsible for purchasing at Hallgarten Druitt, where she looks after its extensive portfolio, a role which involves a great deal of travel around the world visiting existing producers and finding that there is always something new to discover in the world of wine. Gerard-Basset-MS-MW.jpg DWWA Regional France Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Gerard Basset MS MW qualified as a chef and sommelier in his native France before moving to England in the mid-1980s where he embarked on a career as a sommelier. He has been named Best Sommelier in the UK several times, as well as Best International Sommelier for French Wines in 1992 and Best Sommelier of Europe in 1996; in April 2010 Gerard realised his long-held dream of becoming the Best Sommelier in the World and was also awarded the Catey Special Award. In 2010 and 2011 the IWC and then Harpers made him Personality of the Year. 2011 also saw Gerard named Industry Legend by Imbibe Magazine and receive an OBE awarded by The Princess Royal at Windsor Castle. Gerard is the only person in the world to be simultaneously a Master Sommelier, Master of Wine and hold a Wine MBA. Gerard also has an obvious flair for business; in 1994, he co-founded the Hotel du Vin which was sold in 2004 after having successfully opened six additional hotels. In 2007, with his wife Nina, he opened Hotel TerraVina in the New Forest. Gearoid-Devaney-MS.jpg DWWA Regional France Judging Panel

Gearoid Devaney MS is currently working for Flint wines, an independent merchant based in London. He was voted UK Sommelier of the Year 2008, Restaurant magazineâs Sommelier of the Year 2007 and is now a Master Sommelier. He was Head Sommelier at Londonâs Capital Hotel and has additionally worked at Londonâs l'Oranger and the three-Michelin starred Pierre Gagnaire in Paris. In 2003 he assisted Tom Aikens open his signature restaurant and was part of the team instrumental in the restaurant winning a Michelin star. Fiona-Beckett.jpg DWWA Regional France Judging Panel

Fiona Beckett is the Guardian's wine columnist and a contributing editor to Decanter. She also has her own website matchingfoodandwine.com and a number of blogs (rather too many)including thecheeselover.blogspot.com. You can find her on Twitter @winematcher. Elizabeth-Gabay-MW.jpg DWWA Regional France Judging Panel

Elizabeth Gabay MW graduated with a history degree and, after a few years in publishing, the theatre and travelling, she settled down to concentrate on wine. Since the mid-1980s Elizabeth has specialised in the wines of south eastern France. She graduated as a Master of Wine in 1998. Until 2002 Elizabeth was an independent wine merchant, educator, consultant, corporate events host and lecturer on historic wines. She then moved to south east France where she continues teaching and writing about the wines of Provence, Hungary and northern Italy. She is currently working on her first book. Dominique-Vrigneau.jpg DWWA Regional France Judging Panel

Dominique Vrigneau joined Majestic on a work experience placement in 1986 after completing a five-year PhD in agriculture and oenology in France. He was soon promoted to the position of Buying Manager. He joined Thierryâs in 1991 after a chance encounter with founder Thierry Cabanne and is now Buying Director for France, Austria, Germany, Australasia and the US. Dominique is also a Chevalier de Tastevin and has judged in key international competitions for many years. Tom-Forrest.jpg DWWA Regional France Judging Panel

Tom Forrest was born in Edinburgh and fell in love with wine, especially Pinot Noir, at the age of 18 when he was given a bottle of Nuits-St-Georges by a hotel manager. Following a career in hotel management, he began teaching wine & spirits to hospitality students in 1982 and is currently the Wine and Spirits Education Manager at Vinopolis, where he has been working since 1999. Tom oversees the accredited WSET education programme and the calendar of master classes which includes the âMeet the Expertsâ series where Oz Clarke regularly features. He has judged at various international wine competitions since 1997, is the author of âThe Complete Wine Courseâ, published by Carlton Books and in 2007 he won the UK Champagne Ambassador competition and was a European finalist. Tom has appeared on TV shows including This Morning, Fake Britain and Come Date With Me as well as various local radio stations in London and the South East, including BBC Radio 4âs Today programme and the World Service. Xavier-Rousset-MS.jpg DWWA Regional France Judging Panel

Xavier Rousset MS started working as Assistant Chef Sommelier at GÃ©rard Basset's Hotel du Vin in Bristol at the age of 20, after studying to become a sommelier in Saumur. 2002 saw Roussetâs career take off when he was promoted to Head Sommelier, won the Ruinart UK Sommelier of the Year competition as well becoming the youngest Master Sommellier in the world at the time. Two years later, Xavier was appointed as Head Sommelier at Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, a position which introduced him to Head Chef Agnar Sverrisson. In 2007, Xavier and Agnar launched Texture restaurant, which added a Michelin star to its list of awards in 2010. Their latest venture, 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen, is launching a second site in Marylebone this June. Yves-Desmaris-MS.jpg DWWA Regional France Judging Panel

Yves Desmaris MS attended the Centre de Formation dâApprentis (CFA) in Livron, France. Upon graduating in 1986, he moved to the London to work as commis sommelier at the Stafford Hotel in St James. During this time he completed the WSET Advanced Certificate & WSET Diploma. In 1992 he was awarded the title of Master Sommelier. He has been with Gary Rhodes for almost 13 years where he is Wine Buyer for UK restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Rhodes Twenty Four. Isabelle-Legeron-MW.jpg DWWA Regional France Judging Panel

Isabelle Legeron MW is the first and only French female Master of Wine. Aiming to promote transparency in the wine world and encourage people to think about what they drink, Isabelle co-founded last yearâs The Natural Wine Fair in London and is holding the first RAW fair on artisan wine this May. She communicates her enthusiasm for fine, natural wine via her website and a TV series on Travel Channel, as well as contributing to Decanter. In the past year Isabelle has helped organize VinNaturâs conference, âNatural Wine: A Scientific Approachâ, in Italy and consulted for both the eco-luxury Soneva resorts in the Maldives and Hibiscus, a 2* Michelin restaurant in Mayfair where she re-designed their wine list. Time Out features a wine tasting with her as one of their top â1000 things to do in Londonâ and her list of awards includes the Villa Maria Award for Viticulture, Madame Bollinger Award for Excellence in Tasting and Wine Woman of the Year 2009. Jean-Pierre-Rabaste.jpg DWWA Regional France Judging Panel

Jean-Pierre Rabaste started his wine career in France before moving to London in 1996 where he worked as Sommelier for various establishments, including the Orrery, Hakkasan, Che Restaurant and Putney Bridge Restaurant. His palate has allowed him to reach the national semifinal of the Ruinart Sommelier of the Year Competition and the final of the Torres Competition. He has also received the Gosset Celebris Trophy Award for Best Champagne List of England and was nominated for the ITV Carlton Award for UK Best Wine List. Jean-Pierre is currently a Director of Top Selection, a wine merchant specialising in boutique wineries. Matthew-Waldin.jpg DWWA Regional France Judging Panel

Monty aka Mathew Waldin has worked in vineyards and wineries of all shapes and sizes in both hemispheres. A specialist writer, speaker and consultant on biodynamic wine, Monty was the subject of the first ever television series, Channel Four's Chateau Monty, which aired in 2008, to document the production of biodynamic wine from pruning to bottling. Ian-d'Agata.jpg DWWA Regional Italy Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Ian DâAgata is one of Italyâs best known wine experts and was named Italyâs best wine journalist 2012 by the Comitato Grandi Crus dâItalia. Ian writes on the wines of Italy, Bordeaux and Canada for Stephen Tanzerâs International Wine Cellar, and is a regular Decanter contributor. He is the author of The Ecco Guide to the Best Wines of Italy and an annual, bilingual Guide to Excellence in Italian Wines, published in Italy. He is Co-Director of the Rome International Wine School, and lectures on Italian food and wine cultural history for New York Universityâs Food Sciences Masterâs program. He also directs the Italian language New Wine Journal and is regularly invited to present on wine and health at international wine conferences. Prior to his wine career, Ian studied medicine, graduating in pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. Robert-Giorgione.jpg DWWA Regional Italy Judging Panel

Robert Giorgione is a London-based, independent wine, food and travel writer, blogger and award-winning sommelier. He has been in the hospitality industry for more than 25 years, including 15 years as a top-flight sommelier for Oxo Tower Restaurant, La Tante Claire, Fifth Floor at Harvey Nichols and Orrery Restaurant. He has won and been nominated for the best wine list many times. Since 2006, Robert has been writing for the Borough Market and Marylebone Journal magazines. In 2009, Robert went to New Zealand to research his first book An Epicurean Odyssey: A Road Trip Around New Zealand, which he self-published in 2011 via Lulu.com. Robertâs knowledge and experience has enabled him to set up his own consultancy and roving sommelier social media business. You can connect with Robert at www.robertgiorgione.com and follow his tweets and updates on Twitter @rovingsommelier. Theresa-Paopao.jpg DWWA Regional Italy Judging Panel

Theresa Paopao hails from the small town of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii. She left island life to pursue a graduate degree at the Yale School of Drama in New Haven, CT and then moved to Boston where she fell in love with the restaurant business and the world of wine. In 2004, she joined Ana Sortun of Oleana in Cambridge, first as manager before expanding the role to include Wine Director. In 2010, she moved to New York City to take on the role of Wine Director for David Changâs Momofuku restaurants. Among other accolades and achivements, Paopao is certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers and is currently completing the Advanced Certification through WSET. Walter-Speller.jpg DWWA Regional Italy Judging Panel

Walter Speller started his career in wine as a wine buyer and sommelier in an Italian restaurant in the 1990s in Berlin. Before moving to London in 2003, he worked a vintage at ChÃ¢teau Haut-Bages-LibÃ©ral in Pauillac. In London, Speller worked for Terence Conranâs Le Pont de la Tour, first as a sommelier then as a buyer for its wine merchant, a role which involved looking after its 1,400-bin list and organising more than 150 master classes with winemakers from all over the world. In 2008, he set up his own consultancy and works with producers from Italy. Based in London and Padua, Walter also reports on all things Italian on www.jancisrobinson.com, and is currently researching for the Italian chapter of the new edition of the World Atlas of Wine. Elizabeth-Ferguson.jpg DWWA Regional Italy Judging Panel

Elizabeth Ferguson joined the UK wine trade in 2001 after spending three years living in Italy and Greece. She is currently Marketing and Wine Director at Metzendorff and has an incredible passion for Italy and its wines thanks to being married to an Italian and previously working as an Italian Brand Manager. Emily-O'Hare.jpg DWWA Regional Italy Judging Panel

Emily OâHare is the wine buyer at Londonâs River CafÃ©. She also consults for British restaurant chain, Canteen. Emily has been a finalist in the Circle of Wine Writersâ Young Wine Writer of the Year competition and has written for national newspapers and trade titles. Emily runs a Womens tasting group - âWomen! Know your Wines!â, and a wine-focused pop-up restaurant whizzbangpop.com. Massimilliano-Jacobacci.jpg DWWA Regional Italy Judging Panel

Massimiliano Jacobacci was immersed in the world of fine wines while growing up as both his father and grandfather were respected Oenologists. He studied Biology in his home town of Rome and then after serving as an officer in the Italian navy, he arrived in London. Intrigued by the changing palates of the city, Massimiliano joined a new generation of young chefs and cooked professionally for three years before returning to his roots in the wine industry. Inspired by the Hemingway novel, he set up âA Moveable Feastâ, running wine tasting dinners and consulting for food and wine dot coms. In 2004, Massimiliano founded FortyFive10Â° to import some of Italyâs finest and terroir specific wines, focusing on wholesale and retail markets. Nick-Bielak.jpg DWWA Regional Italy Judging Panel

After several forays to Italy, Nick Bielak emigrated in 1996 and inevitably became involved in wine, working for a Puglian winery until 2003. He then returned to London to work for Bibendum as an Italian specialist. Since 2006 he has had the privilage of working with Nicolas Belfrage MW, with whom he roams Italy's vast expanse of DOCs and DOCGs, consulting with producers and enologists in an attempt to synthesize the exponential and detailed world that is Italian wine. Nick currently spends half his time in Italy and half in London. Anne-Forrest.jpg DWWA Regional Italy Judging Panel

Anne Forrest is the Italian Buyer at Laithwaites Wine and is also responsible for Portugal, Argentina,fortified wine, and spirits. Before she got into wine, her first love was for languages and she speaks Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese. Her first wine job was with Arblaster and Clarke Wine Tours where she worked during university holidays. After graduating, she taught English in Rome for a year and then in Madrid for three years. She returned to the UK in 2005 and began working with Laithwaites Wine in its sales team. She quickly moved into the Buying Department and has looked after a number of different regions in that time. Bruno-Besa.jpg DWWA Regional Italy Judging Panel

Originally from Friuli, Bruno Besa has been living in London since 1986. After almost 20 years working in hotels and restaurants, he founded Astrum Wine Cellars in 2001, along with long term friends and former colleagues Max Folli and Stefano Benato from Stafano Cavallini Restaurant at the Halkin hotel in Belgravia. Bruno is currently Managing Director of Astrum Wine Cellars, representing around 50 wineries and distilleries from Italy and Central Europe. Chris-Murphy.jpg DWWA Regional Italy Judging Panel

Chris Murphy has worked at Marks & Spencer all his life and has spent the best part of the last three decades sourcing wines from around the world. For the past five years he has concentrated on the M&S Wine Club, âWine Onlineâ and has judged at wine competitions both at home and abroad. Chris has tried to adhere to the advice given him by Christopher Tatham when he was first starting out, that âthe first duty of a wine is to be deliciousâ. Andrea-Sturniolo.jpg DWWA Regional Italy Judging Panel

Italian Andrea Sturniolo moved to London in 1994 and studied for the WSET examinations whilst helping open the London section of the Associazione Italiana Sommelier. Heading back to Italy in 2002, he set up and taught the wine-culture/wine-tasting courses at the International Wine Academy of Rome as Vice-Director. During this time he began working with an Italian wine guide and various press and web publications. Andrea has been back in London since 2006 and now works for a catering company while continuing to contribute to magazines both abroad and in the UK. Angelo-Sabbadin.jpg DWWA Regional Italy Judging Panel

Angelo Sabbadin, Wine Director Angelo was born and raised outside the city of Padua in northeastern Italy. His interest in wine began when he was stationed to do military service in the hills outside Gorizia, close to the Slovenian boarder, where he fell in love first with the vineyards and consequently with the local wines. After working as a sommelier for twenty years in many of Paduaâs top restaurants, Angelo joined the wine team at Le Calandre in 2006. He gradually worked his way from cellar manager to wine buyer for all six restaurants of the Alajmo family restaurants, including Gran Caffe & Ristorante Quadri in St. Markâs Square, Venice. In January 2010, Angelo revolutionized the wine list at Le Calandre, organizing it by grape variety rather than region and formatting for Ipad. His hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed. He was named Sommelier of the Year in 2011 in Italyâs Espresso Wine Guide. John-Livingstone-Learmonth.jpg DWWA RhÃ´ne Judging Panel : Regional Chair

John Livingstone-Learmonth has dedicated most of his life to writing and talking about the wines of the RhÃ´ne, since he first visited the region in 1973. He has published four books on the RhÃ´ne, including The Wines of the Northern RhÃ´ne, which won the Louis Roederer International Book Prize in 2006, and was commended in the AndrÃ© Simon Awards. He is a principal contributor to the book Gigondas, Its Wines, Its Land Its People, published in English and French in late 2011 by Bottin Gourmand. John is an honorary citizen of the RhÃ´ne village of ChÃ¢teauneuf-du-Pape and, in 2006, was made a Chevalier de lâOrdre du MÃ©rite Agricole. John is a close follower of the Turf, having been the Daily Telegraph Racing Hero of the Year 2000. He runs his own website www.drinkrhone.com. John describes the RhÃ´ne as running through his veins. Nick-Clarke-MW.jpg DWWA RhÃ´ne Judging Panel

Nick Clarke MW joined Hedges & Butler in 1960 rising successfully to the position of Wine Buyer for Bass Charrington. He passed his Master of Wine exams in 1971 and in 1978 joined Henry C Collison, where he became Managing Director in 1981. He then moved to O W Loeb as a Director where he specialised in wine from Alsace among other regions. He currently sources new agencies for Dreyfus Ashby & Co. Stephane-Soret-.jpg DWWA RhÃ´ne Judging Panel

StÃ©phane Soret graduated with a Sommelier Diploma in NÃ®mes and moved to London in 1989 for his first Sommelier position at Ma Cuisine before heading to Paris, starting at Ledoyen and working his way upwards in hospitality while obtaining a hotel management degree at CMH-Paris, European Center of International Hotel Management. In 1994 Stephane moved to the US, working for hotels including the Campton Place Hotel in San Francisco, where he won The Wine Spectatorâs Best Award of Excellence for their wine list in 2000. After being involved with the launch of Napa Valleyâs Wine.com and working at Vigneron Imports, he headed back to Paris for a Sommelier role at Michelin-starred Le Cinq (George V) and managed the Cellar of the Quai dâOrsay for the French Minister of Foreign Affairs. 2005 saw Stephane's return to London as Head Sommelier for Mosimannâs and since then he has been working in the Middle and Far East, and is currently Wine Director at Raffles in Singapore. Tim-Johnston.jpg DWWA RhÃ´ne Judging Panel

Tim Johnston entered the wine trade in 1966 with Findlater, Mackie & Todd before joining Hedges & Butler in Regent Street as a trainee. He also spent eight months working in the lower ranks at ChÃ¢teau Cantenac Brown in Margaux before moving to Aix en Provence to work for a British company exporting wine to the United States. After fifteen years in partnership with Mark Williamson of Willi's Wine Bar, Tim now runs Juveniles in Paris' Rue de Richelieu, which he opened in March 1987. specialising in Rhone, Provence and foreign wines - in fact anything that's not made of Pinot Noir, and isn't red Bordeaux. Juveniles is a great believer in screw-caps and glass tops, in fact anything that isn't cork! Jonathan-Kinns.jpg DWWA RhÃ´ne Judging Panel

Jonathan Kinns has been in the wine trade for over 30 years, having developed an interest in wine whilst doing temporary jobs at Harveys of Bristol and a Mayfair restaurant. Following a degree in Philosophy at Bristol and studies in Art History and Contemporary Dance at the Courtauld Institute and the Laban Centre respectively, Jonathan won the RhÃ´ne Prize during his studies for the WSET Diploma. After a long period with Michael Druitt Wines in buying and sales roles, Jonathan has run his own agency and importing business, Winegrowers Direct, for the past 15 years, which sells wines from all regions of France, with an emphasis on the RhÃ´ne and Burgundy, and from Spain. Katie-Exton.jpg DWWA RhÃ´ne Judging Panel

Katie began her wine career in 2005 helping out Peter Hall at English winery Breaky Bottom. She then spent six months working in wineries in Canada and Australia. On her return to the UK in 2006, Katie joined Majestic Wine, before taking the trainee sommelier position at Chez Bruce in 2007 under the stewardship of fellow Decanter judge Terry Threlfall. After a six month stint at Mayfair's The Square restaurant, Katie returned to Chez Bruce in March 2010 as Head Sommelier where she currently works. Laurent-Chaniac.jpg DWWA RhÃ´ne Judging Panel

Laurent Chaniac is food and wine consultant to The Cinnamon Club and Kitchen in London where his expertise in matching wines to Indian cuisine has become very popular. He has been described as a sommelier who âhas pioneered some revolutionary ideas on pairing wine with the constantly evolving Indian flavours." He has also worked in various managerial positions with some of London's finest dining experiences for years, including L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, The Square Restaurant and The Stafford Hotel, all part of the group holding 25 Michelin stars. Mark-Williamson.jpg DWWA RhÃ´ne Judging Panel

Mark Williamson owns Williâs Wine Bar in Paris (which celebrated its 30th birthday in October 2010) and the next door restaurant MacÃ©o. His wine preference is for RhÃ´ne, but he is also involved with Evening Land Vineyards which produces wine in Burgundy and Oregon. He has recently opened B.CasaMi, a holiday retreat in the Tramontana mountains of Mallorca, Spain.

Ben-Llewelyn.jpg DWWA RhÃ´ne Judging Panel

Ben Llewelyn has worked in the wine trade since 1997, beginning at Oddbins, and then at Italian specialist Enotria. He moved his family to France in 2007 to experience the life of a winemaker while studying for his MW. He set up Carte Blanche Wines, a wholesale wine agency and importer which focuses on up-and-coming winemaking stars, in 2008, and purchased independent retailer Caviste in 2011. Christian-Honorez.jpg DWWA RhÃ´ne Judging Panel

Christian Honorez is the founder and director of H2Vin and has more than 25 yearsâ experience of bringing quality wines to top restaurants and hotels in the UK through his prior positions with Genesis Wines, H&H Bancroft and H&H Fine Wines. H2Vin is a wine importer that aims to provide the UK marketplace with a range of wines sourced from predominantly small producers. Jamie-Hutchinson.jpg DWWA RhÃ´ne Judging Panel

Jamie Hutchinson is the Managing Director and co-founder of independent wine merchant The Sampler. After a career in venture capital, Jamie opened The Sampler in Islington in 2006 and The Sampler in South Kensington in 2011 and plans to open other shops in the future. Jamieâs passions are Sherry, traditional Rioja, grower Champagne and Beaujolais, while his weaknesses are for wines with personality and that go against normal commercial conventions. Jamie is also the holder of the WSET Rafael Balao Lustau Memorial Trophy and won the WSET Cava and Penedes Wine Institute Bursary. John-Switzer.jpg DWWA RhÃ´ne Judging Panel

John Switzer has been in the wine industry since 2000. His agency, Winesights, specialises in small-producer wines from the southern RhÃ´ne. He is a WSET Certified Educator and is a frequent speaker at wine shows in the Toronto area. Since 2005, he has distributed a limited-circulation, bi-weekly newsletter, the Winesights Vintages Newsletter, and he also writes for a magazine in Toronto and is a member of the Society of Wine Educators. Sarah-Jane-Evans-MW.jpg DWWA Sherry Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Sarah Jane Evans MW started drinking Spanish wine â Sherry to be specific â as a student of Classics and Social and Political Sciences at Cambridge. This started a lifelong love affair for Sarah Jane with the countryâs wines, food and culture, leading to her appointment as a member of the Gran Orden de Caballeros de Vino for services to Spanish wine. In 2006 she became a Master of Wine, writing her dissertation on Sherry and winning the Robert Mondavi Winery Award. She is currently Deputy Vice Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine, also dividing her time between contributing to leading reference books, judging wines internationally and writing about wine, fine chocolate, coffee, tea and cheese. John-Radford.jpg DWWA Sherry Judging Panel

John Radford is a freelance writer, broadcaster, lecturer and speaker. John has had a lifelong love of Spain, particularly, and the Mediterranean, generally, and has written several books and chapters of books on the wines of Spain and Portugal. He edits the trade magazine CHEF and also writes for publications in China, as well as writing a blog, http://johnradfordcom.blogspot.com. Nick-Room.jpg DWWA Sherry Judging Panel

Nick Room joined Waitrose in 1987, initially buying beers and spirits before moving into wine. Passing the WSET Diploma in 1992, he then bought wine for the retailerâs mail-order side before returning to the main buying office in 1998. Nickâs specialities and interests are Spain, Portugal and Sherry. Waitrose won awards for its lists of Sherry and Portuguese wines in 2005, 2006 and 2010, and its fortified wines are widely recognised as market-leading. Waitroseâs Buying Team has additionally been recognised as the best in the industry for several consecutive years. Nick is currently serving as Chairman of the Gran Orden de Caballeros and had the honour, in November 2011, of collecting an award presented by the Prince and Princess of Asturias acknowledging the work of the Orden to promote âbrand Spainâ. Christine-Parkinson.jpg DWWA Sherry Judging Panel

Christine Parkinson started her career in the kitchen, moving into management after three years as Head Chef. Responsibility for 39 restaurants eventually convinced her to follow her passion and concentrate on wine. In 2001 Christine created the first wine list for Hakkasan, and then became Wine Buyer for the groupâs restaurants worldwide, including Sake No Hana and the Michelin-starred Hakkasan and Yauatcha. Christine judges regularly at wine competitions including Decanter World Wine Awards, New Wave Spanish Wines, IWC Sake Awards, and Sommelier Wine Awards. Christine has been called âone of the most creative wine buyers in the UKâ by Jancis Robinson MW, and is the recipient of the âTaste On-Trade Influencer 2009â and âImbibe Restaurant Personality of the Year 2011â. She is currently studying to become a Master of Wine. Mel-Jones-MW.jpg DWWA Sherry Judging Panel

Mel Jones MW runs www.quaffersoffers.co.uk, a website that gives details of special offers at wine retailers and provides tasting notes and forum discussions on great wine buys. She is also half of the Birds with Bottle duo on YouTube, a weekly fun wine programme.Mel started in the wine trade shortly after leaving school and has been running wine courses and writing about wine since the mid-1990s. She also has a weekly wine slot on BBC Radio Gloucestershire. In her spare time, Mel is a performance poet. Robert-Gorjak.jpg DWWA Slovenia Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Robert Gorjak lives near Ljubljana, Slovenia, and has written about wine since 1994. Beside regular contributions to Slovenian periodicals, he is a contributor to The Oxford Companion to Wine and The World Atlas of Wine. He is the author of Wine guide â Slovenia 2012. A regular judge in national and international wine competitions, he and his wife founded Sloveniaâs first wine school, Belvin, in 2002. Igor-Sotric.jpg DWWA Slovenia Judging Panel

Igor Sotric moved to the UK and entered the wine industry 15 years ago after graduating with a degree in Microbiology. Qualified to WSET Diploma level, he is Head Sommelier and Wine Buyer at China Tang at the Dorchester. His prior experience has also been with Asian restaurants including the Cocoon and the St Martins Lane Hotel. Igor also acts as consultant to several restaurants. Mai-Tjemsland-MW.jpg DWWA Slovenia Judging Panel

Mai Tjemsland MW is an Oslo-based restaurateur with her own company GastroConsult AS. She holds a BI in Business Economy and Marketing, was certificated as a Sommelier in 1996 and became a Master of Wine in 2009. Claiming Italy is her favourite wine country, Mai has worked internationally in the hospitality industry for over 25 years and now oversees her own restaurant and catering companies. Alongside this, Mai lectures at sommelier schools, the WSET and the Institute of Masters of Wine as well as consulting for importers and holding Masterclasses on subjects including New Trends in Chile, California, and Food and Wine in Harmony. Caroline-Gilby-MW.jpg DWWA Slovenia Judging Panel

Caroline Gilby MW has been visiting Hungary for over 20 years since becoming the first major buyer to ship wines from there for Augustus Barnet off-licences. She has a doctorate in plant biology but abandoned life behind the microscope for a career in wine soon after winning the Decanter-Macallan Malt Whisky Taster of the Year Award while a student. Caroline passed her MW in 1992 then spent seven years as a senior wine buyer before switching to a career as freelance writer and consultant, specialising in Central and Eastern Europe. She contributes to Hugh Johnsonâs Pocket Wine Guide, and has written for Dorling Kindersleyâs Wines of the World, The Oxford Companion to Wine, The Wine Opus and Tom Stevensonâs Wine Report, as well as for various websites and magazines. Richard-Baudains-.jpg DWWA So uthern Italy Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Richard Baudains was born and bred in Jersey in the Channel Islands and trained to be a teacher of English as a foreign language in order to satisfy his wanderlust. After several years in various foreign climes, Richard settled down in beautiful Friuli-Venezia Giulia, having had the good fortune to reside previously in the winemaking regions of Piemonte, Tuscany, Liguria and Trentino-Alto Adige. Richard wrote his first article for Decanter in 1989 and has been a regular contributor on Italian wines ever since.His day job as Director of a language school conveniently leaves time for a range of wine-related activities including writing for the Slow Wine Guide, editing, translating, leading tastings and lecturing in wine journalism at the UniversitÃ delle Scienze Gastronomiche. Sebastian-Payne-MW.jpg DWWA Southern Italy Judging Panel

Sebastian Payne MW started in the wine trade in 1970 with Fred May, a shipper specialising in the wines of France, Germany and Hungary. He joined The Wine Society in 1973 as Promotions Manager, responsible for publications and passed his MW in 1977. In 1985 he became Chief Buyer, travelling to all major wine regions in the world. In 1995, he served as Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine and as Chairman of Masters of Wine Examiners in 1996. Sebastian is also a Chevalier dans l'Ordre du MÃ©rite Agricole. Having stepped down as Chief Buyer, Sebastian remains an integral part of The Wine Societyâs buying team and currently writes for the Society List and website, as well as blogs in his inimitable style. Sergio-de-Luca-.jpg DWWA Southern Italy Judging Panel

Sergio de Luca is Director of Buying for Italy at Enotria World Wine. He has 30 yearsâ experience in the UK market and has been at Enotria for more than 25 years. Sergioâs family is in farming and all his experience is connected with the wine world, having studied and completed a degree in winemaking in Italy. Michael-Garner.jpg DWWA Southern Italy Judging Panel

Michael Garner has worked in the wine business for more than 30 years and has specialised in Italian Wine for nearly 25 years. He is the co-author of Barolo: Tar and Roses, is a regular contributor to Decanter and has taught for the WSET. He lives in rural Devon with his family and two large Briard dogs. Luciana-Lynch.jpg DWWA Southern Italy Judging Panel

Luciana Lynch held senior positions with companies including Hedges & Butler, Findlater Matta, Remy AssociÃ©s and Enotria before setting up her own business and consultancy in the late 1980s. Her entire career has seen her engage in selling and sourcing wines, especially from Italy, although she has also been involved in wine education. She is now retired, having worked in the wine trade for 35 years. Michael-Palij-MW.jpg DWWA Southern Italy Judging Panel

A Canadian, Michael emigrated to the UK in 1989 and qualified as a Master of Wine in 1995 at the age of just 29. His first trip to Italy was as a wine buyer in 1994. He promptly fell in love with both the country and its wines. Michael now writes and teaches widely on his specialist subject. He lives in Oxford. Daniele-Cernilli.jpg DWWA Southern Italy Judging Panel

Daniele Cernilli was born in Rome and graduated with a Masters in Philosophy. He entered the wine trade in 1979 at Vini & Liquori, a monthly magazine. He then co-founded what would become the annual Gambero Rosso Vini dâItalia as an aid to wine lovers in 1987. Daniele has held various editorial positions, including Editor-at-large of Gambero Rosso magazine and Wine Travel Food. In 1988 he was named Editor-in-Chief of Vini dâItalia (also published in English as Italian Wines), where he directed the tastings of wines entered from all over Italy â a few hundred in the first edition to over 18,000 in the 2010 edition. In 1999, Daniele started writing for Rai Sat / Gambero Rosso Channel and, in 2009, he was made Editor-in-Chief of the programme. Daniele has consulted for the Associazione Italiana Sommelier (AIS) and the Worldwide Sommelier Association (WSA), and is currently working on his own Italian & English web magazine, Doctor WIne (doctorwine.it). Elizabeth-Ferguson.jpg DWWA Southern Italy Judging Panel

Elizabeth Ferguson joined the UK wine trade in 2001 after spending three years living in Italy and Greece. She is currently Marketing and Wine Director at Metzendorff and has an incredible passion for Italy and its wines thanks to being married to an Italian and previously working as an Italian Brand Manager. Ignatius-Chan.jpg DWWA Southern Italy Judging Panel

Ignatius Chan is a sommelier and restaurateur who founded Iggyâs in 2004 at The Regent Singapore.The restaurant relocated to The Hilton Hotel Singapore in September 2010.He joined the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Singapore as a waiter in 1987 after graduating and was later promoted to Sommelier at its French restaurant, Fourchettes. In 1990, he won the Veuve Clicquot Champagne scholarship, as well as the prestigious Singapore Best Sommelier for French Wines and Spirits Competition. In 1991, he joined Raffles Hotel as Cellar Master. He was a founding partner of Les Amis and in 1998 was selected as the only Asian member of the prestigious Grand Jury EuropÃ©en. Lindsay-Talas.jpg DWWA Southern Italy Judging Panel

Lindsay Talas joined Thierryâs in 2004 as Buying Director where she is responsible for Spain, Italy, South Africa, Chile, Argentina and Portugal. She embarked on her wine career in 1988 during a gap year spent working for Oddbins. She then moved to Bordeaux to take a bilingual European Business Studies degree and followed this up with the WSET Diploma, during which she was awarded the Italian Scholarship. Lindsay has spent 12 years in the multiple grocer sector where she worked as a Senior Buyer for Sainsburyâs and later, as Senior Product Development Manager at Tesco, was responsible for the launch of the Finest* wine range. She has a passion for Italian and Spanish wines and has judged in major wine competitions for more than 10 years. Angelo-Sabbadin.jpg DWWA Southern Italy Judging Panel

Angelo Sabbadin, Wine Director Angelo was born and raised outside the city of Padua in northeastern Italy. His interest in wine began when he was stationed to do military service in the hills outside Gorizia, close to the Slovenian boarder, where he fell in love first with the vineyards and consequently with the local wines. After working as a sommelier for twenty years in many of Paduaâs top restaurants, Angelo joined the wine team at Le Calandre in 2006. He gradually worked his way from cellar manager to wine buyer for all six restaurants of the Alajmo family restaurants, including Gran Caffe & Ristorante Quadri in St. Markâs Square, Venice. In January 2010, Angelo revolutionized the wine list at Le Calandre, organizing it by grape variety rather than region and formatting for Ipad. His hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed. He was named Sommelier of the Year in 2011 in Italyâs Espresso Wine Guide. Anne-Forrest.jpg DWWA Southern Italy Judging Panel

Anne Forrest is the Italian Buyer at Laithwaites Wine and is also responsible for Portugal, Argentina, fortified wine, and spirits. Before she got into wine, her first love was for languages and she speaks Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese. Her first wine job was with Arblaster and Clarke Wine Tours where she worked during university holidays. After graduating, she taught English in Rome for a year and then in Madrid for three years. She returned to the UK in 2005 and began working with Laithwaites Wine in its sales team. She quickly moved into the Buying Department and has looked after a number of different regions in that time. Fiona-MacDonald.jpg DWWA South Africa Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Fiona McDonald is a trained news journalist who helped a friend organise a wine show which resulted in an additional weekly wine column to her list of duties. Having worked as a specialist medical reporter, night news editor, sub editor and newspaper designer, Fiona was then headhunted by WINE magazine in Cape Town. Her eight years as Editor saw Fiona play a large role in documenting the changing face of South African wine, particularly as her tenure coincided with the industry's post-apartheid era. Now a freelance writer, Fiona contributes to a number of South African publications and websites on the topics of food and wine, and more recently, whisky. In addition to serving as a judge at a number of international wine competitions, she is also a member of the Platter Guide tasting panel and writing team. Tom-Forrest.jpg DWWA South Africa Judging Panel

Tom Forrest was born in Edinburgh and fell in love with wine, especially Pinot Noir, at the age of 18 when he was given a bottle of Nuits-St-Georges by a hotel manager. Following a career in hotel management, he began teaching wine & spirits to hospitality students in 1982 and is currently the Wine and Spirits Education Manager at Vinopolis, where he has been working since 1999. Tom oversees the accredited WSET education programme and the calendar of master classes which includes the âMeet the Expertsâ series where Oz Clarke regularly features. He has judged at various international wine competitions since 1997, is the author of âThe Complete Wine Courseâ, published by Carlton Books and in 2007 he won the UK Champagne Ambassador competition and was a European finalist. Tom has appeared on TV shows including This Morning, Fake Britain and Come Date With Me as well as various local radio stations in London and the South East, including BBC Radio 4âs Today programme and the World Service. Vladimir-Gorodkov.jpg DWWA South Africa Judging Panel

Vladimir Gorodkov drifted into the world of wine after building a successful career in the fruit and beer industries. He moved to South Africa in 1992 where he was captivated by the aura and mystique of wine which resulted in his completing the Cape Wine Academy Diploma. Vladimir is based in Cape Town where he runs his own consultancy offering services in marketing, wine education and, most recently, wine tourism for trade professionals. Links to his native Russia remain firm as he has been promoting Wines of South Africa (WOSA) there since 2005. Madeleine-Stenwreth-MW.jpg DWWA South Africa Judging Panel

Madeleine Stenwreth MW consults internationally for wine producers, as well as importing companies across the Nordic market. She was raised in a restaurateur family, which sparked her passion for wine, and studied to become one of the first Swedish sommeliers, winning The Inter-Scandinavian Sommelier Contest in 1993. Her studies then took her to Spain, the USA, Germany, London and then to the Cape Wine Academy in South Africa, while also working as Restaurant Manager and Chef Sommelier for a Relais & ChÃ¢teaux hotel. Upon Madelineâs return to Sweden, she completed her WSET Diploma with Honors, set up a wine consultancy and established and managed the Swedish branch of Wines of South Africa. From 2004 to 2007 she worked as a Wine Buyer at Systembolaget before becoming Quality and Product Development Manager for a major Scandinavian importing group. In 2008 Madeleine became a Master of Wine, one of only two MWs in Sweden, and her dissertation "The effect of altitude on Malbec in Mendoza" received the Quinta do Noval Award. She lectures for the WSET Diploma in Sweden and judges for wine awards internationally. Marcia-Waters-MW.jpg DWWA South Africa Judging Panel

Marcia Waters works for The Oxford Wine Company, consults to the trade and is chair of the Education and Examination Board at the Institute of Masters of Wine. She became a Master Of Wine herself in 1990 and in the past has worked as a buyer for Victoria Wine and Tesco, run the UK office of Vergelegen and Boschendal, as well as working for Rothschild Wine at Waddesdon Manor. Nick-Clarke-MW.jpg DWWA South Africa Judging Panel

Nick Clarke MW joined Hedges & Butler in 1960 rising successfully to the position of Wine Buyer for Bass Charrington. He passed his Master of Wine exams in 1971 and in 1978 joined Henry C Collison, where he became Managing Director in 1981. He then moved to O W Loeb as a Director where he specialised in wine from Alsace among other regions. He currently sources new agencies for Dreyfus Ashby & Co. Nick-Dumergue.jpg DWWA South Africa Judging Panel

Nick Dumergue started his career as a sommelier in his native New Zealand in 1990. He then moved to London where he spent 15 years working and learning about the commercial side of the industry. He has worked a dozen vintages in nine countries, and has held several sales and managerial roles in Europe, Asia and Australia. As a buyer he has selected fine wines on Super Yachts in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, been part of the buying team at Harrods and for an importer in Hong Kong. A former tasting co-ordinator for Decanter, he is an occasional journalist and a regular judge. As educator and trainer, he has been an ambassador for the Sherry Institute, a lecturer in Rome and a certified educator for the WSET in London, France and Asia as well as online tutor for Diploma students around the world. He currently resides in Bali where he spends part of his time as a wine ambassador and negociant and the rest of his time surfing. Gerard-Barnes.jpg DWWA South Africa Judging Panel

Gerard Barnes began his wine career in 1988 working at various Oddbins shops. He then moved into purchasing for Greenalls followed by Sainsburyâs, where he developed a love of French wine, particularly Burgundy and the wines of the RhÃ´ne. Following a long period at Raisin Social where he was responsible for buying and product development, sourcing wines from South Africa, France, Spain, New Zealand, Chile and Argentina, Gerard is now European Sourcing Manager for Winery Exchange responsible for Spirits and French and Spanish wines . Johan-Larsson.jpg DWWA South Africa Judging Panel

Johan Larssonâs 17 years in the wine trade has covered positions as sommelier for Stockholmâs top restaurants, key account and product management at different Swedish wine importing companies, and one year as Assistant Winemaker at Mas de Daumas Gassac in the Languedoc. Johan has also been Head Steward to the King and Queen of Sweden and he now manages the Royal Wine Cellars, conducts tastings with the King and Queen, and provides advice on food and wine pairing for state banquets. In November 2010, Johan joined Systembolaget as Wine Buyer with responsibility for South Africa, North Africa, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and the Far East. John is currently studying for the WSET Diploma. John-Hoskins-MW.jpg DWWA South Africa Judging Panel

John Hoskins MW was born into a family of hoteliers but had no intention of joining his relations, studying English literature instead. However the allure of wine drew him into the family business and he became the first person in the restaurant industry to become a Master of Wine. In the same year, 1994, he formed his own business. He has a hotel-restaurant, The Old Bridge, in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, which includes a thriving wine shop and mail order business, Old Bridge Wine. He is also in charge of the Master of Wine 'Practical' Examination Panel. Lynne-Sherriff-MW.jpg DWWA South Africa Judging Panel

Lynne Sherriff MW studied Winemaking in Stellenbosch, Germany and Bordeaux and graduated as a Master of Wine in 1993. From 1992 to 2000, Lynne was the Commercial Director for Vinfruco, importing South African wines such as Arniston Bay for distribution throughout Europe. In 2000 Lynne established her own wine consultancy company and works with clients from single vineyards to multinational companies in Europe, Australia and South Africa. Lynne advises on various issues ranging from production to wine styles, labelling and global marketing. Lynne speaks four languages and is currently studying Japanese and Spanish. Lynne is also the current Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine. Anthony-Barne-MW.jpg DWWA South Africa Judging Panel

Anthony Barne joined the Wine Trade from the Army in 1978, having taken advantage of the endless possibilities for wine tasting during his posting to Gibraltar. He learned his craft in a wine shop in Tunbridge Wells, escaping to Burgundy to work at the Domaine ThÃ©nard and, subsequently, at Seppeltâs in South Australia. His career until 1992 was in mail order and wine buying, first with Hicks & Don, where he passed the Master of Wine exam in 1985, and for whom he still acts as buying consultant, and then Harveys of Bristol. Since then he has been a wine auctioneer, currently working for Bonhams in London as UK Head of Wine, where his main pre-occupation is with the classic wine regions of France, Vintage Port and Madeira, although he has many other interests, including Austria, Germany, Tokaji and Australia. Beverley-Tabbron.jpg DWWA South Africa Judging Panel

Beverly Tabbron MW graduated from Kings College London in 1979 with a BA joint honours degree in German and Latin. Since passing her MW in 1996, Beverly has been responsible for purchasing at Hallgarten Druitt, where she looks after its extensive portfolio, a role which involves a great deal of travel around the world visiting existing producers and finding that there is always something new to discover in the world of wine. Daniel-Hart.jpg DWWA South Africa Judging Panel

Daniel Hart is the Senior Buyer at Enotria, where he has been responsible for growing Enotria's New World wines into an award winning, benchmark portfolio since 2003. He also oversees the categories of Champagne, Portugal and England, and has winemaking experience with Enotriaâs partners around the world. His highlights include working vintages in Douro, Piemonte, South Africa, Coonawarra and Catalonia. WSET Diploma qualified in 2001, Daniel is the co-founder of Trophy winning 'Hart & Hunter' wines in Hunter Valley, Australia. Dawn-Davies.jpg DWWA South Africa Judging Panel

Dawn Davies is the wine and spirits buyer for Selfridges. Previously, she worked as Head Sommelier and Restaurant Manager at The Ledbury in Notting Hill, as Sommelier at The Square restaurant in Mayfair, and as Head Sommelier at Boxwood CafÃ© (Gordon Ramsay) and Zuma. At Selfridges, Dawn helps people select wines, gives advice on how to set up a new cellar, or just helps with the growth of an established one. Allan-Cheesman-MW.jpg DWWA South Africa Judging Panel

Allan Cheesman has been in the UK wine trade for 40 years, 31 of them at Sainsburyâs where he was Trading Director. Responsible for own-label development in the 1970s and 1980s, Allan is attributed with demystifying and popularising wine in the UK. Now semi-retired, Cheesman is a non-executive and consultant for several global wine businesses. He is also a member of the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino and is on the board for the WSET and London Wine Trade Fair. He is an Officier dans lâOrdre du MÃ©rite Agricole and has lifetime achievement awards from Off Licence News and the IWSC. In 2011 Allan was awarded by the King of Spain the Order of Isabel the Catholic, the highest civil award for services to Spanish wines. John-Radford.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel : Regional Chair

John Radford is a freelance writer, broadcaster, lecturer and speaker. John has had a lifelong love of Spain, particularly, and the Mediterranean, generally, and has written several books and chapters of books on the wines of Spain and Portugal. He edits the trade magazine CHEF and also writes for publications in China, as well as writing a blog, http://johnradfordcom.blogspot.com. Sarah Jane Evans MW Sarah Jane Evans MW Steven-Skelton-MW.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Stephen Skelton MW started his career in wine in 1975. After 12 months at Schloss SchÃ¶nborn in Germany's Rheingau winegrowing region and two terms at Geisenheim Wine School, he returned to the UK in 1977 to establish Tenterden Vineyards in Kent, where he made wine for 23 vintages. He was Winemaker at Lamberhurst Vineyards from 1988â1991. Stephen is a consultant to the English wine industry and is involved with planting vineyards for the production of sparkling wine. He became a Master of Wine in 2003. Theresa-Paopao.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Theresa Paopao hails from the small town of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii. She left island life to pursue a graduate degree at the Yale School of Drama in New Haven, CT and then moved to Boston where she fell in love with the restaurant business and the world of wine. In 2004, she joined Ana Sortun of Oleana in Cambridge, first as manager before expanding the role to include Wine Director. In 2010, she moved to New York City to take on the role of Wine Director for David Changâs Momofuku restaurants. Among other accolades and achivements, Paopao is certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers and is currently completing the Advanced Certification through WSET. Vicki-Stephens-Clarkson.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Vicki Stephens-Clarkson joined the wine trade in 2000. She worked in sales and buying with numerous wine companies including Lay & Wheeler and Direct Wines, before joining Liberty Wines as Buyer in 2008. She has worked in wineries in France, Australia and Argentina, and speaks French, Spanish and Russian. She specialises in several French regions, as well as South America, and is currently studying for her MW. Mike-Ritchie-MW.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Mike Ritchie MW was born in London but lived in Paris in his teenage years. He started in the trade with Saccone & Speed as a graduate trainee and has since gained a wealth of experience during his three decades in the UK wine business, which has included seven years during the early stages of London City Bond. In 2002 Mike passed his MW, being awarded the commercial and business-related Errazuriz prize.Since 2006 he has worked with Spanish specialist Moreno Wines and is selling their wines all over the UK, while helping to develop Moreno's increasing non-Spanish wine range. Nick-Room.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Nick Room joined Waitrose in 1987, initially buying beers and spirits before moving into wine. Passing the WSET Diploma in 1992, he then bought wine for the retailerâs mail-order side before returning to the main buying office in 1998. Nickâs specialities and interests are Spain, Portugal and Sherry. Waitrose won awards for its lists of Sherry and Portuguese wines in 2005, 2006 and 2010, and its fortified wines are widely recognised as market-leading. Waitroseâs Buying Team has additionally been recognised as the best in the industry for several consecutive years. Nick is currently serving as Chairman of the Gran Orden de Caballeros and had the honour, in November 2011, of collecting an award presented by the Prince and Princess of Asturias acknowledging the work of the Orden to promote âbrand Spainâ. Patricia-Langton.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Patricia Langton is a freelance journalist and the former wine editor of Off Licence News. Her website and blog can be found at www.patricialangton.com. Lindsay-Talas.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Lindsay Talas joined Thierryâs in 2004 as Buying Director where she is responsible for Spain, Italy, South Africa, Chile, Argentina and Portugal. She embarked on her wine career in 1988 during a gap year spent working for Oddbins. She then moved to Bordeaux to take a bilingual European Business Studies degree and followed this up with the WSET Diploma, during which she was awarded the Italian Scholarship. Lindsay has spent 12 years in the multiple grocer sector where she worked as a Senior Buyer for Sainsburyâs and later, as Senior Product Development Manager at Tesco, was responsible for the launch of the Finest* wine range. She has a passion for Italian and Spanish wines and has judged in major wine competitions for more than 10 years. Matthieu-Longuere-MS.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Matthieu LonguÃ¨re MS is originally from Bordeaux and studied catering at college for six years before coming to England in 1994. Since then he has worked as Head Sommelier at Lucknam Park near Bath, the Hotel du Vin in Bristol and La Trompette in Chiswick. He won the UK Sommelier of the Year Competition TrophÃ©e Ruinart in 2000, passed the WSET Diploma in 2002 and became a Master Sommelier in 2005. He speaks French, Spanish, English and basic Swedish. Matthieu was a semi-finalist at the Best Sommelier of Europe Competition 2010 where he represented the UK. Mel-Jones-MW.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Mel Jones MW runs www.quaffersoffers.co.uk, a website that gives details of special offers at wine retailers and provides tasting notes and forum discussions on great wine buys. She is also half of the Birds with Bottle duo on YouTube, a weekly fun wine programme. Mel started in the wine trade shortly after leaving school and has been running wine courses and writing about wine since the mid-1990s. She also has a weekly wine slot on BBC Radio Gloucestershire. In her spare time, Mel is a performance poet. She became an MW in 2010. Mike-Harrison.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Michael Harrison has been in the wine trade for 32 years and is currently a freelance consultant working with the Hotel du Vin chain. His areas of expertise are Champagne, Australasia, and South America as well as the English wine industry. Michael is a regular judge for major wine events and a frequent wine magazine tasting panellist. Joan-Torrents.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Joan Torrents is the fourth generation of a wine business family who, by the age of 19, became a Chevalier of Cava. Since completing his MSc in Chemistry and Winemaking Studies, Joan has been involved in product development in major wine regions and business development in European and Asian markets. In 2007, Joan was nominated for Young Achiever in the UK by Drinks Business Magazine and received the Michel Laroche Award for outstanding performance while completing the WSET Diploma. Joan now heads wine buying for 1600 restaurants and bars at Mitchells Butlers and is involved in winemaking, travelling worldwide to source and blend wines which deliver profit growth. In 2011, Joan became member of the Champagne Academy. Jane-MacQuitty.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Jane MacQuitty is a wine writer, author, judge and commentator. She started her career as wine and food correspondent for House & Garden magazine, followed by two years at the Consumers' Association editing the Which? Wine Guide. Since the 1980s, she has been the wine and drink correspondent for The Times newspaper. She is renowned for her independent, outspoken stance on the wine world commenting, as one of the country's top merchants noted, âwithout fear, or favourâ. Jamie-Hutchinson.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Jamie Hutchinson is the Managing Director and co-founder of independent wine merchant The Sampler. After a career in venture capital, Jamie opened The Sampler in Islington in 2006 and The Sampler in South Kensington in 2011 and plans to open other shops in the future. Jamieâs passions are Sherry, traditional Rioja, grower Champagne and Beaujolais, while his weaknesses are for wines with personality and that go against normal commercial conventions. Jamie is also the holder of the WSET Rafael Balao Lustau Memorial Trophy and won the WSET Cava and Penedes Wine Institute Bursary. Giles-Cooke-MW.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Giles Cooke MW graduated with a degree in History but realised early on that he was more skilled at eating and drinking than at being an historian. He therefore worked at Majestic Wine until the lure of returning to his native Scotland saw him join Alliance Wine. In the 17 years since, Giles has worked in all areas of the business, including on- and off-trade sales, buying and marketing, and has been an integral part of the growth of Alliance from a regional supplier to an increasingly international player. Passionate about the wines of Spain, Giles extols their virtues both back home and in Alliancesâ export markets. Perhaps as much a passion as wine, Giles is fanatical about JamÃ³n ibÃ©rico and has been known to travel with a JamÃ³n in the boot of his car! Giles passed his MW in 2001. Ferran-Centelles.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Ferran Centelles AIWS has been a sommelier at elBulli restaurant since 1999. Today he combines the role of Wine Director at elBulli Foundation with other project such as Outlook Wine (The Barcelona Wine School) and Wineissocial in Spain. Ferran won the Ruinart Best Sommelier of Spain award in 2006 and the Premio Nacional de Gastronomia in 2011. Juan-Carlos-Rincon.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Juan Carlos RincÃ³n is a professional wine taster, broadcast journalist, presenter and blogger. He had been judging wines in 15 countries in competitions around the world. He is a Commandeur of the Commanderie de Bontemps du Vins de MÃ©doc, Graves, Sauternes and Barsac, and La Jurade de Saint Emilion named him a Vigneron d'Honneur. He lives in London where he has worked for the Spanish Americas Department of the BBC World Service and was its wine expert for eight years. He is a wine consultant for Latin-American markets and is currently setting up his own wine website www.rincondecata.com. He is also a translator for French wineries and wine organisations and developed the Spanish website for the Conseil des Grands Crus ClassÃ©s en 1855. Juan Carlos loves wines with great character and is a specialist in the wines of Spain, France (Bordeaux and the RhÃ´ne) and Latin America. Ben-Henshaw.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Ben Henshaw joined the wine trade in 2002 to work on the sales and marketing of Domaine Saint Hilaire, his familyâs newly acquired Languedoc vineyard. He set up Indigo Wine the following year, focusing initially on importing artisanal wines from southern France. Since then, Ben has built up the most diverse list of Spanish wines of any importer in the UK. Cristina-Alcala.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Cristina AlcalÃ¡ is a qualified sommelier; wine consultant, and taster based in Spain. She holds degrees in Sociology, Human Resources and Winemaking and Viticulture. Cristina is Editorial Manager of Vinum and MiVino magazines and a regular columnist for El PaÃs and other Spanish specialist publications. She has also worked as a wine expert on Radio Nacional de EspaÃ±a since 2005and has published two books on wine. In 2011 Cristina became Technical Director of Iberwine, a wine fair that takes place in Spain and Miami. She is a regular judge in several international wine competitions. Christine-Parkinson.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Christine Parkinson started her career in the kitchen, moving into management after three years as Head Chef. Responsibility for 39 restaurants eventually convinced her to follow her passion and concentrate on wine. In 2001 Christine created the first wine list for Hakkasan, and then became Wine Buyer for the groupâs restaurants worldwide, including Sake No Hana and the Michelin-starred Hakkasan and Yauatcha. Christine judges regularly at wine competitions including Decanter World Wine Awards, New Wave Spanish Wines, IWC Sake Awards, and Sommelier Wine Awards. Christine has been called âone of the most creative wine buyers in the UKâ by Jancis Robinson MW, and is the recipient of the âTaste On-Trade Influencer 2009â and âImbibe Restaurant Personality of the Year 2011â. She is currently studying to become a Master of Wine. Alessandro-Marchesan.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Alessandro Marchesan started his wine career as a bartender at various restaurants in his hometown of Venice, including the Cipriani Hotel. He moved to London in 1999 to work at Kensington Place Restaurant in Notting Hill. In 2003 Alessandro won the Dan Pontifex Award which sponsored a six-week course in Australia after which he joined Zuma as a Sommelier. During this time he was awarded the title of UK Sommelier of the Year by Harpers and Queen. He currently works as Group Sommelier and Wine Buyer for Zuma and Roka and is responsible for wine operations of these restaurants in London, Asia, the US and the Middle East. Since 2004, he has co-owned Mas la Mola, a boutique winery in Priorat. Andrea-Bricarello.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Andrea Briccarello is Head Sommelier at La Chapelle, the winner of the Best Wine List at the National restaurants Awards 2011. He was previously Group Sommelier and Wine Buyer for Corrigan's Mayfair, Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill, and Lindsay House. Andrea has also worked at the Michelin-starred Umu, and was named Sommelier of the Year 2009 by Taste of London, as well as being the winner of the Wines of Roussillon Dessert Trophy in 2010. Annette-Scarfe.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Annette Scarfe consults for restaurants in London, Hong Kong and Singapore including Alan Yauâs Princi and Bettys. She has previously consulted for Sake No Hana and runs regular training sessions for the on-trade at several restaurants in London. Annette is a regular member of magazine tasting panels and is also a Bordeaux educator and WSET certified educator. She is currently studying for the Master of Wine. Barbara-Philip-MW.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Barbara Philip MW is a portfolio manager at the British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB) in Canada and is responsible for selecting European wines for the BC Liquor Store chain. Barbara has a long history working as a sommelier and wine educator and, in 2007, passed the MW. In addition to her role at the BCLDB, Barbara works as a freelance lecturer, radio columnist and wine judge through Barbariain Wine Consulting, a company she runs with her husband Iain. Dawn-Davies.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Dawn Davies is the wine and spirits buyer for Selfridges. Previously, she worked as Head Sommelier and Restaurant Manager at The Ledbury in Notting Hill, as Sommelier at The Square restaurant in Mayfair, and as Head Sommelier at Boxwood CafÃ© (Gordon Ramsay) and Zuma. At Selfridges, Dawn helps people select wines, gives advice on how to set up a new cellar, or just helps with the growth of an established one. Ed-Adams-MW.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Ed Adams MW joined the wine trade in 1983 after dabbling with radio journalism in his home city of Bristol, England. He worked for an old Bristol wine firm, Howells, before eventually moving to the bright lights of London. Edâs first big break was working for Vinos de EspaÃ±a in London, where he rekindled his passion for Spanish wine and all things Spanish. It was then seven years as a buyer for the Co-op in Manchester, after which he became Quality Control and Purchasing Director for Western Wines for 12 years until 2006. Since then Ed has been working on the BÃ¡scula Spanish wine project with South African winemaker, Bruce Jack, working with some top producers throughout Spain.

Daniel-Hart.jpg DWWA Spain Judging Panel

Daniel Hart is the Senior Buyer at Enotria, where he has been responsible for growing Enotria's New World wines into an award winning, benchmark portfolio since 2003. He also oversees the categories of Champagne, Portugal and England, and has winemaking experience with Enotriaâs partners around the world. His highlights include working vintages in Douro, Piemonte, South Africa, Coonawarra and Catalonia. WSET Diploma qualified in 2001, Daniel is the co-founder of Trophy winning 'Hart & Hunter' wines in Hunter Valley, Australia. Rosemary-George-MW-.jpg DWWA Tuscany Judging Panel : Regional Chair

Rosemary George MW was one of the first ever female Masters of Wine, becoming an MW in 1979. Rosemary has worked as a freelance wine journalist since 1981 and is a Vice President of the Circle of Wine Writers. She has written 11 wine books, including two on Tuscany, most recently Treading Grapes: Walking through the Vineyards of Tuscany. She has a second home in the Languedoc, and writes a blog on the region, www.tastelanguedoc.blogspot.com. She has judged in several top competitions. Nick-Adams.jpg DWWA Tuscany Judging Panel

Nick Adams MW found himself in the wine trade after graduating with a Business Studies degree in 1982, passing the MW exam ten years later. After having the very good fortune to work with a number of the worldâs leading producers â especially in France, Italy and California - he now runs his own wine consultancy company, First Glass Wine Services. Working with a cross-section of both producers and retailers, as well as private individuals, he is revelling in both the challenges and rewards this brings. Paolo-Basso.jpg DWWA Tuscany Judging Panel

Paolo Basso is a native of Italy currently residing in Lugano, Swizerland. He started his wine career as a sommelier in several gastronomic restaurants in Switzerland, followed by a professional experience within a leading swiss-based fine and rare wines trader where he focused especially on the wines of Bourgogne and Bordeaux. Paolo currently runs his own wine consultancy company, Ceresio Vini. In 1997 Paolo was named Best Sommelier of Switzerland, a title he followed up as runner-up in the Worldâs Best Sommelier Competition in 2000, 2007 and 2010. In 2010 Paolo won the Best Sommelier of Europe Competition. Walter-Speller.jpg DWWA Tuscany Judging Panel

Walter Speller started his career in wine as a wine buyer and sommelier in an Italian restaurant in the 1990s in Berlin. Before moving to London in 2003, he worked a vintage at ChÃ¢teau Haut-Bages-LibÃ©ral in Pauillac. In London, Speller worked for Terence Conranâs Le Pont de la Tour, first as a sommelier then as a buyer for its wine merchant, a role which involved looking after its 1,400-bin list and organising more than 150 master classes with winemakers from all over the world. In 2008, he set up his own consultancy and works with producers from Italy. Based in London and Padua, Walter also reports on all things Italian on www.jancisrobinson.com, and is currently researching for the Italian chapter of the new edition of the World Atlas of Wine. Mark-Cesareo.jpg DWWA Tuscany Judging Panel

Mark Cesareo was introduced to hospitality at a young age through his family and studied Hospitality Management at the Malta Institute of Tourism Studies before moving to the United Kingdom. He completed his WSET Diploma studies whilst leading the wine team at Oloroso restaurant in Edinburgh and then Orrery, London before being appointed as Assistant Head Sommelier in Marcus Wareing's 2 Michelin starred restaurant in Knightsbridge. He currently works at The Gilbert Scott and is preparing to take his Master Sommelier examination. Massimo-Sacco.jpg DWWA Tuscany Judging Panel

Massimo Sacco is the Chef Sommelier at the Fairmont Hotel Monte Carlo. His passion for wine took off in London whilst working at the Dorchester and Halkin Hotels, during which time he also attended the WSET. Named Best Sommelier of Monaco in 2007, Massimo went on to become a semi-finalist in the Worldâs Best Sommelier competition in Greece in 2007. Today he is a member of the Sommeliers' Association of Monte Carlo. He contributes to a few Italian wine magazines, as well as various Italian wine blogs. Mike-Harrison.jpg DWWA Tuscany Judging Panel

Michael Harrison has been in the wine trade for 32 years and is currently a freelance consultant working with the Hotel du Vin chain. His areas of expertise are Champagne, Australasia, and South America as well as the English wine industry. Michael is a regular judge for major wine events and a frequent wine magazine tasting panellist. Matthew-Waldin.jpg DWWA Tuscany Judging Panel

Matthew Waldin has worked in vineyards and wineries of all shapes and sizes in both hemispheres. A specialist writer, speaker and consultant on biodynamic wine, Monty was the subject of the first ever television series, Channel Four's Chateau Monty, which aired in 2008, to document the production of biodynamic wine from pruning to bottling. Emily-O'Hare.jpg DWWA Tuscany Judging Panel

Emily OâHare is the wine buyer at Londonâs River CafÃ©. She also consults for British restaurant chain, Canteen. Emily has been a finalist in the Circle of Wine Writersâ Young Wine Writer of the Year competition and has written for national newspapers and trade titles. Emily runs a Womens tasting group - âWomen! Know your Wines!â, and a wine-focused pop-up restaurant whizzbangpop.com. Luciana-Lynch.jpg DWWA Tuscany Judging Panel

Luciana Lynch held senior positions with companies including Hedges Butler, Findlater Matta, Remy AssociÃ©s and Enotria before setting up her own business and consultancy in the late 1980s. Her entire career has seen her engage in selling and sourcing wines, especially from Italy, although she has also been involved in wine education. She is now retired, having worked in the wine trade for 35 years. Daniele-Cernilli-DWWA.jpg DWWA Tuscany Judging Panel Daniele Cernilli was born in Rome and graduated with a Masters in Philosophy. He entered the wine trade in 1979 at Vini & Liquori, a monthly magazine. He then co-founded what would become the annual Gambero Rosso Vini dâItalia as an aid to wine lovers in 1987. Daniele has held various editorial positions, including Editor-at-large of Gambero Rosso magazine and Wine Travel Food. In 1988 he was named Editor-in-Chief of Vini dâItalia (also published in English as Italian Wines), where he directed the tastings of wines entered from all over Italy â a few hundred in the first edition to over 18,000 in the 2010 edition. In 1999, Daniele started writing for Rai Sat / Gambero Rosso Channel and, in2009, he was made Editor-in-Chief of the programme. Daniele has consulted for the Associazione Italiana Sommelier (AIS) and the Worldwide Sommelier Association (WSA), and is currently working on his own Italian & English web magazine, Doctor WIne (doctorwine.it). David-Copp.jpg DWWA Tuscany Judging Panel David Copp trained in all the main European wine regions and joined Bouchard Aine Ltd in London.He later joined G & J Greenall the Warrington based distillers of Greenalls Gin and Vladivar Vodka.He has written four wine books: Hungary: Its Fine Wines and Winemakers, which was shortlisted for the Louis Roederer International Wine Book of the Year Awards, and Tokaj. Australian Wine Walkabout and Bordeaux St Estephe were published in 2011 and 2012 respectively. A judge at several leading European Wine Competitions, David speaks regularly to wine societies in the UK. Steven-Skelton-MW.jpg DWWA UK Judging Panel

Stephen Skelton MW started his career in wine in 1975. After 12 months at Schloss SchÃ¶nborn in Germany's Rheingau winegrowing region and two terms at Geisenheim Wine School, he returned to the UK in 1977 to establish Tenterden Vineyards in Kent, where he made wine for 23 vintages. He was Winemaker at Lamberhurst Vineyards from 1988â1991. Stephen is a consultant to the English wine industry and is involved with planting vineyards for the production of sparkling wine. He became a Master of Wine in 2003. Sue-Daniels-.jpg DWWA UK Judging Panel Sue Daniels is Marks & Spencer's Champagne/Sparkling, Fortified, Portuguese, English, South African and Burgundian winemaker. She has looked after sparkling and fortified wines for Marks and Spencer since 1999. Sue is currently studying for her Master of Wine while simultaneously bringing up three children. Tom-Forrest.jpg DWWA UK Judging Panel Tom Forrest was born in Edinburgh and fell in love with wine, especially Pinot Noir, at the age of 18 when he was given a bottle of Nuits-St-Georges by a hotel manager. Following a career in hotel management, he began teaching wine & spirits to hospitality students in 1982 and is currently the Wine and Spirits Education Manager at Vinopolis, where he has been working since 1999. Tom oversees the accredited WSET education programme and the calendar of master classes which includes the âMeet the Expertsâ series where Oz Clarke regularly features. He has judged at various international wine competitions since 1997, is the author of âThe Complete Wine Courseâ, published by Carlton Books and in 2007 he won the UK Champagne Ambassador competition and was a European finalist. Tom has appeared on TV shows including This Morning, Fake Britain and Come Date With Me as well as various local radio stations in London and the South East, including BBC Radio 4âs Today programme and the World Service. Richard-Hemming.jpg DWWA UK Judging Panel Richard Hemming started working in wine retail in 2001. After completing the WSET Diploma in 2007, he went to McLaren Vale and survived the 2008 vintage as a cellar hand. While there, he started writing about his experiences for www.JancisRobinson.com and now writes articles and tasting notes for the site every week. Richard is also drinks writer for Sainsburyâs Magazine and has been published by Decanter, The Drinks Business, Harpers Wine & Spirit, and The World of Fine Wine. Alongside writing, Richard tutors for the London Wine Academy and runs wine dinners at the Bull & Last in Highgate. He has also worked as a viticultural assistant for Gusbourne Estate in Kent and offers cellar consultation services to private clients. Richard was runner-up for the Young Wine Writer Award in 2007 and 2008, and shortlisted for the Louis Roederer Emerging Wine Writer Award 2010. He is currently completing his MW. Stephen-Brook-.jpg DWWA USA Judging Panel

Stephen Brook has been a contributing editor to Decanter since 1996. Stephen has won a clutch of awards for his writing on wine, and is the author of more than 30 books, including Complete Bordeaux, now the definitive study of the region, and now in its second edition, and The Wines of California, which won three awards. His recently published book The Finest Wines of California is his third on Californian wine. Stephen also fully revised the last two editions of Hugh Johnsonâs Wine Companion, and he writes for magazines in many countries. Pierre-Mansour.jpg DWWA USA Judging Panel

Pierre Mansour spent four years with Berry Bros & Rudd as duty manager of its Heathrow store after an introduction to the wine trade in 1995 with the Antique Wine Company. He completed the WSET Diploma in 1998 before joining Vinopolis as Tastings Manager. In 2000 Pierre joined The Wine Society to oversee tastings and events, before taking on the role of Buyer in 2004. He currently buys The Society's Australian, New Zealand, Spanish, North American and Lebanese wines. Pierre is currently studying for his Master of Wine. Rebecca-Palmer.jpg DWWA USA Judging Panel

Rebecca Palmer is Associate Director and Buyer for the Corney & Barrow Group based in London and Hong Kong. As Head of Commercial Buying, she is responsible for the core portfolio of both Corney & Barrowâs Merchanting and Wine Barsâ businesses, covering all world regions except Bordeaux. Prior to working for Corney & Barrow, Rebecca was a buyer at Direct Wines (Laithwaites), specialising in France and South America. A modern languages graduate, she has worked in the wine trade for over 15 years. Virginia-Philip-MS.jpg DWWA USA Judging Panel

Virginia Philip MS is in her eleventh year at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida, where she maintains and oversees the beverage departments for nine restaurants and bars, and their 14 wine lists, including the 1,600-selection list at LâEscalier, the resortâs signature restaurant which has won the Wine Spectatorâs Grand Award every year since its inception in 1981. Prior to her arrival at The Breakers, Virginia worked at many accredited resorts and restaurants throughout the USA, most notably The Little Nell, a Five Diamond/Five Star resort in Aspen, and was the Wine Buyer for 36 stores in San Antonio, Texas. Viriginia won the title of Best Sommelier of the United States in 2002, owns the Virginia Philip Wine Shop and Academy in West Palm Beach and has developed a wine program for Stephaneâs, set to debut this year. Angela-Mount.jpg DWWA USA Judging Panel

Angela Mount has been a wine industry consultant for the past three years, and heads up online wine retail venture www.yourfavouritewines.com, owned by Dragonâs Den star Peter Jones. She also works with both producers and agents to develop styles of wine and appropriate market strategy for the UK market. She is a frequent public and conference speaker, writes for Flavour Magazine, and heads up the judging panels for both Bath and Bristol Good Food Awards competition. Prior to this, Angela was Head of Wine Buying at Somerfield supermarkets, where her taste buds were famously insured for Â£10m. David-Jean.jpg DWWA USA Judging Panel

David Jean has always been fascinated by aromas and flavours with the result that he chose to study Enology in Switzerland. After graduating in 2005 he became a Wine Buyer for Coop Switzerland with responsibility for the Swiss, French, Austrian and German categories. In 2008 he moved to Stockholm to work as Buyer for the Swedish Retail monopoly Systembolaget with responsibility for Australia, North America and Eastern Europe. He is also strongly involved in their QC/QA-program. He has been a judge at the Mondial du Pinot Noir for several years. In his free time he enjoys travelling and discovering new cultures. He is currently studying for his MW. Jean-Michel-Valette-MW.jpg DWWA USA Judging Panel

Jean-Michel Valette MW is Chairman of Vinfolio, a US-based internet retailer and seller of fine wine. He has also been chairman and MD of Robert Mondavi Winery, as well as CEO of Franciscan Estates. Outside of wine he is a Director of the Boston Beer Company, maker of Sam Adams beer, and the Chairman of Peet's Coffee & Tea. His interest in vines and wine started at an early age during summers spent with his grandparents in Vouvray. He was one of North America's early Masters of Wine and has since been active in education, examination and governance of the IMW, where he is currently Deputy Vice-Chair. Jane-Hunt-MW.jpg DWWA Veneto Judging Panel

Jane Hunt MW has had a career in wine which has spanned sales and marketing, buying, education, writing and PR. She and business partner, Tina Coady, now run Hunt & Coady Ltd, a company which organises a variety of trade tastings and the annual Argentina Wine Awards competition in Mendoza. Jane spends several months of the year in Italy where she produces olive oil at her renovated farmhouse in Umbria. Luciana-Lynch.jpg DWWA Veneto Judging Panel

Luciana Lynch held senior positions with companies including Hedges & Butler, Findlater Matta, Remy AssociÃ©s and Enotria before setting up her own business and consultancy in the late 1980s. Her entire career has seen her engage in selling and sourcing wines, especially from Italy, although she has also been involved in wine education. She is now retired, having worked in the wine trade for 35 years. Massimilliano-Jacobacci.jpg DWWA Veneto Judging Panel

Massimiliano Jacobacci was immersed in the world of fine wines while growing up as both his father and grandfather were respected Oenologists. He studied Biology in his home town of Rome and then after serving as an officer in the Italian navy, he arrived in London. Intrigued by the changing palates of the city, Massimiliano joined a new generation of young chefs and cooked professionally for three years before returning to his roots in the wine industry. Inspired by the Hemingway novel, he set up âA Moveable Feastâ, running wine tasting dinners and consulting for food and wine dot coms. In 2004, Massimiliano founded FortyFive10Â° to import some of Italyâs finest and terroir specific wines, focusing on wholesale and retail markets. Massimo-Sacco.jpg DWWA Veneto Judging Panel

Massimo Sacco is the Chef Sommelier at the Fairmont Hotel Monte Carlo. His passion for wine took off in London whilst working at the Dorchester and Halkin Hotels, during which time he also attended the WSET. Named Best Sommelier of Monaco in 2007, Massimo went on to become a semi-finalist in the Worldâs Best Sommelier competition in Greece in 2007. Today he is a member of the Sommeliers' Association of Monte Carlo. He contributes to a few Italian wine magazines, as well as various Italian wine blogs. Michael-Garner.jpg DWWA Veneto Judging Panel

Michael Garner has worked in the wine business for more than 30 years and has specialised in Italian Wine for nearly 25 years. He is the co-author of Barolo: Tar and Roses,is a regular contributor to Decanter and has taught for the WSET. He lives in rural Devon with his family and two large Briard dogs. Nick-Bielak.jpg DWWA Veneto Judging Panel

After several forays to Italy, Nick Bielak emigrated in 1996 and inevitably became involved in wine, working for a Puglian winery until 2003. He then returned to London to work for Bibendum as an Italian specialist. Since 2006 he has had the privilage of working with Nicolas Belfrage MW, with whom he roams Italy's vast expanse of DOCs and DOCGs, consulting with producers and enologists in an attempt to synthesize the exponential and detailed world that is Italian wine. Nick currently spends half his time in Italy and half in London. Angelo-Sabbadin.jpg DWWA Veneto Judging Panel

Angelo Sabbadin, Wine Director Angelo was born and raised outside the city of Padua in northeastern Italy. His interest in wine began when he was stationed to do military service in the hills outside Gorizia, close to the Slovenian boarder, where he fell in love first with the vineyards and consequently with the local wines. After working as a sommelier for twenty years in many of Paduaâs top restaurants, Angelo joined the wine team at Le Calandre in 2006. He gradually worked his way from cellar manager to wine buyer for all six restaurants of the Alajmo family restaurants, including Gran Caffe & Ristorante Quadri in St. Markâs Square, Venice. In January 2010, Angelo revolutionized the wine list at Le Calandre, organizing it by grape variety rather than region and formatting for Ipad. His hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed. He was named Sommelier of the Year in 2011 in Italyâs Espresso Wine Guide. Bruno-Besa.jpg DWWA Veneto Judging Panel

Originally from Friuli, Bruno Besa has been living in London since 1986. After almost 20 years working in hotels and restaurants, he founded Astrum Wine Cellars in 2001, along with long term friends and former colleagues Max Folli and Stefano Benato from Stafano Cavallini Restaurant at the Halkin hotel in Belgravia. Bruno is currently Managing Director of Astrum Wine Cellars, representing around 50 wineries and distilleries from Italy and Central Europe. Daniele-Cernilli.jpg DWWA Veneto Judging Panel

Daniele Cernilli was born in Rome and graduated with a Masters in Philosophy. He entered the wine trade in 1979 at Vini & Liquori, a monthly magazine. He then co-founded what would become the annual Gambero Rosso Vini dâItalia as an aid to wine lovers in 1987. Daniele has held various editorial positions, including Editor-at-large of Gambero Rosso magazine and Wine Travel Food. In 1988 he was named Editor-in-Chief of Vini dâItalia (also published in English as Italian Wines), where he directed the tastings of wines entered from all over Italy â a few hundred in the first edition to over 18,000 in the 2010 edition. In 1999, Daniele started writing for Rai Sat / Gambero Rosso Channel and, in 2009, he was made Editor-in-Chief of the programme. Daniele has consulted for the Associazione Italiana Sommelier (AIS) and the Worldwide Sommelier Association (WSA), and is currently working on his own Italian & English web magazine, Doctor WIne (doctorwine.it). Elizabeth-Ferguson.jpg DWWA Veneto Judging Panel

Elizabeth Ferguson joined the UK wine trade in 2001 after spending three years living in Italy and Greece. She is currently Marketing and Wine Director at Metzendorff and has an incredible passion for Italy and its wines thanks to being married to an Italian and previously working as an Italian Brand Manager. Emily-O'Hare.jpg DWWA Veneto Judging Panel

Emily OâHare is the wine buyer at Londonâs River CafÃ©. She also consults for British restaurant chain, Canteen. Emily has been a finalist in the Circle of Wine Writersâ Young Wine Writer of the Year competition and has written for national newspapers and trade titles. Emily runs a Womens tasting group - âWomen! Know your Wines!â, and a wine-focused pop-up restaurant whizzbangpop.com. Gerd-Stepp.jpg DWWA Veneto Judging Panel

Gerd Steppâs family has been growing grapes in the Pfalz for generations. He himself has been in the wine trade for 24 years during which time he has worked in Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Italy and the UK. For ten of those years Gerd was a Winemaker for Marks and Spencer. In 2009 Gerd set up a winery at the site of Stepp Family Vineyards where he now makes wine. He also consults on various wine-related matters. Alex-Hunt-MW.jpg DWWA Veneto Judging Panel

Alex Hunt MW joined the wine trade as a van driver for Oddbins while studying philosophy and psychology at Oxford, where he captained the varsity blind-tasting team. After graduating in 2000, he joined Mayfair Cellars, holding both sales and buying roles. In 2006, he moved to Berkmann Wine Cellars, where he is currently Purchasing Director. Since February 2012 he has also written a monthly column on taste and tasting for jancisrobinson.com. Alex became a Master of Wine in 2010, winning the Madame Bollinger Medal for excellence in the tasting exam. Andrea-Bricarello.jpg DWWA Veneto Judging Panel

Andrea Briccarello is Head Sommelier at La Chapelle, the winner of the Best Wine List at the National restaurants Awards 2011. He was previously Group Sommelier and Wine Buyer for Corrigan's Mayfair, Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill, and Lindsay House. Andrea has also worked at the Michelin-starred Umu, and was named Sommelier of the Year 2009 by Taste of London, as well as being the winner of the Wines of Roussillon Dessert Trophy in 2010.