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 retailer’s mail-order side before returning to the main buying office in 1998. Nick’s 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. Waitrose’s 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 ‘brand Spain’.