DWWA Australia Judging Panel

Anthony Rose.jpg 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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

Roger Jones.jpg 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 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 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 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 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 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.

DWWA Australia Judging Panel

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