Young Wine Writer Awards open for entries

Posted by Ray O'Connor | Filed under Media, Wine Writing

The
award is open to anyone aged 30 or under by the end of 2010
who is based in the UK. Applicants should not yet have had a
wine book published nor yet be an established wine columnist
or regular contributor to a magazine. We are looking for winewriting
potential and commitment to popular consumer
wine-writing rather than extensive knowledge or experience.

The Circle of Wine Writers are once again offering this annual award to help promote the promise of new, aspiring wine writers. Now in its 10th year, the award is open to anyone aged 30 or under by the end of 2010 who is based in the UK.  Applicants should not yet have had a wine book published nor yet be an established wine columnist or regular contributor to a magazine. They are looking for wine-writing potential and commitment to popular consumer wine-writing rather than extensive knowledge or experience.

Last years winner: Nicola Cornelius

Last years winner: Nicola Cornelius

Besides the fame and glory, the winning entrant will win £1000, sponsored by Pavilion Books, an imprint of Anova Books and publishers of Oz Clarke and Michael Broadbent, to enable the winner to travel to a wine region of his or her choice to gain first-hand experience and to develop a book or article based on that experience.

As if that wasn’t enough, Wine Australia sponsor a 14-day, expenses-paid trip to the wine regions of Australia. The trip will include a tour of the key wine regions, opportunities to meet the growers and one-on one tastings with leading producers. The winner will also get the chance to write articles about the trip for the Wine Australia website.

To enter this competition, contact Fiona Holman at Pavilion Books:

email: fholman@anovabooks.com

tel +44 (0)20 7605 1403

Good Luck!

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Read more | Comments (0) | June 16th, 2010

Young Wine Writer Award

Posted by Ray O'Connor | Filed under Uncategorized, Wine Writing

It was big night for Nicola Cornelius of Liberty Wines  last night as she picked up the Young Wine Writer Award 2009.  The award was presented to her by Steven Spurrier and John McDonnell of Wine Australia (Ireland) at the Circle of Wine Writer’s Christmas party at Australia House.  What a introduction to the world of wine writing, getting on stage in front of so many literary big wigs. Her article entitled “From backpacking cellar-hands to flying winemakers: The sunny side of globalisation” was shortlisted to the final two places amongst a total of 9 final contestants. Nicola wins an all expenses two week trip to Australia and a smart, engraved decanter, courtesy of Wine Australia. She also picked up a cheque for £1,000 compliments of Anova books. Nicola told me she plans to continue writing but won’t give up the day job. You can watch the brief video interview on the player to the right.

As the party was hosted by the good people at Australia House, it was purely wines from Down Under that were served. A great line up, but two wines really stood out for me .  Kooyong Chardonnay 2008 from the northen end of Mornington Peninsula was a best of compilation of what the world of Chardonnay has to offer. Weighty, yet fresh. Crisp, yet deep (does that even make sense?) it had linear purity and screamed drink me! 10 minutes X Tractor, Pinot Noir really stood out from its Australian peers in the line up. It disappeared in 10 minutes X wine writers. It was elegant, with pure red fruits but held an upright serious backbone to it.

It was good to see Oz Clarke back on the scene after he recently fell ill. Nice grub and decent selection of wines gave us all a festive kick of cheer.

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Read more | Comments (0) | December 9th, 2009