DWWA 2013 Veneto Judging Panel

Richard Baudains DWWA 2013 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. Sara Bacchiori DWWA 2013 Judge Born in Perugia, Italy, Sara Bachiorri didn't initally consider a career in wine, despite her grandfather owning a vineyard and making a sweet red sparkling wine from Canaiolo. Instead she studied and worked as an accountant, moving into hospitality when she became bored of the office job. In 2007, Sara acheived her professional Sommelier qualification and worked with the Italian Institute of Sommeliers before moving to London in December 2008. Soon after she joined the team at Maze, and then Maze Grill, before becoming Assistant Head Sommelier at the Michelin-starred Glasshouse Restaurant in Kew a year later. In April 2012 Sara was promoted to Head Sommelier. In January this year she was awarded the WSET Champagne Academy Scholarship for high achievement at the WSET Advanced level. Sebastian Bredal MW DWWA 2013 Judge Sebastian Bredal MW originally worked in Information Techology, after gaining a Masterâs degree in Information Science at the university in Oslo, Norway. In 2003, after discovering an interest in wine, he moved to France to study Marketing in Fontainebleau, during which time he also achieved his WSET Diploma. Returning to Norway one year later, Sebastian worked for a wine importer and commenced both sommelier and MW studies, being awarded his Master of Wine qualification in 2010. In 2009 Sebastian founded Symposium Wines, a wine importing company working with Norwayâs monopoly outlets, as well as the on-trade, and which represents wide range of wine styles and brands, including mature Bordeaux. Sebastian Payne MW DWWA 2013 Judge Sebastian Payne MW joined the wine trade in 1970 at Fred May, a shipper specialising in the wines of France, Germany and Hungary. Three years later he joined The Wine Society as Promotions Manager, responsible for publications, and in 1977 he passed his MW. Sebastian was appointed Chief Buyer in 1985, has travelled to all of the world's major wine regions, and is a Chevalier dans l'Ordre du MÃ©rite Agricole. In 1995, he served as Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine, and in 1996 he was Chairman of the Masters of Wine Examiners. Having stepped down as Chief Buyer, Sebastian remains an integral part of The Wine Societyâs buying team and currently sources its Italian, German and Eastern European wines, as well as writing for the Society List and website. Nick Bielak DWWA 2013 Judge 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, Nick has had the privilage of working with Nicolas Belfrage MW at Vinexus, with whom he roams Italy's vast expanse of DOCs and DOCGs, consulting with producers and enologists. He currently spends half his time in Italy, and half in London and has recently embarked on the MW. Sergio de Luca DWWA 2013 Judge Sergio de Luca is Director of Buying for Italy at Enotria World Wine. He has over 30 years of 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. Emily O'Hare DWWA 2013 Judge Emily OâHare is the Head Sommelier and Wine Buyer at Londonâs River CafÃ©, where she has worked for five years. Alongside Charles Metcalfe, she is the wine columnist for Waitrose Kitchen magazine, and she also writes about Italian wine and sits on the judging panels for Decanter . In May last year she won the Harpers Wine & Spirit award of "Sommelier of the Year", and in her spare time she runs a women's tasting group Women, Know Your Wine! and a wine-focused pop-up restaurant, whizzbangpop.com . Michael Garner DWWA 2013 Judge 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. Massimiliano Jacobacci DWWA 2013 Judge Massimiliano Jacobacci was immersed in the world of fine wine 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.

DWWA 2013 Veneto Judging Panel

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