DWWA 2013 Argentina Judging Panel

Patricio Tapia DWWA 2013 Regional Chair Patricio Tapia graduated with a degree in journalism from the Universidad de Chile in Santiago, before attending Bordeaux University in France, where he studied for a diploma in wine tasting and winemaking. Currently, he is Wine & Spirits â critic for the wines of Argentina, Chile and Spain, regularly contributing articles on these regions, and for the past nine years Patricio has been a host on the El Gourmet channel in South America. His career has seen him visit wine regions around the world, and he has authored several books, including his annual Descorchado (an Argentine and Chilean wine guide), The Wines of Colchagua Valley , TodoVino , and Wines for Great Occasions . Ernesto Lanusse DWWA 2013 Judge Ernesto Lanusse is from Buenos Aires and the son of Dolly Irigoyen, one of Argentinaâs most famous chefs and owner of Espacio Dolli, where Ernesto is Executive Manager. A recent venture included the âNomadeâ, a gourmet food truck which became a giant hit for its brightly coloured stencil work but more so for the âMin Paoâ aka Momofuku-style buns filled with pork, pulled beef and mushrooms. Ernesto is also a member of A.C.E.L.G.A. (AsociaciÃ³n de Cocineros y Empresarios ligados a la GastronomÃa Argentina), a group which works to promote the identity of Argentine cuisine both in Argentina and throughout the world, and consults to a number of companies on wine purchases. Phil Crozier DWWA 2013 Judge Phil Crozier is Director of Wine for Gaucho and is responsible for the restaurantâs wine list, including its 200 Argentine wines, as well as managing the Gaucho-owned vineyard in Lulunta, Mendoza, which is planted with 80 year-old Malbec vines and produces ViÃ±a Patricia. Working with one of Argentinaâs main producers, Phil is also currently involved with the production of the Corte G range of varietal and blended wines. Rut Cotroneo DWWA 2013 Judge Rut Cotroneo achieved her sommelier qualification in Madrid in 1999 and immediately started working in various sommelier-related and managerial capacities for the "Whoâs Who" of the restaurant world, including: Madridâs one Michelin-starred El Chaflan; the three Michelin-starred El Bulli, and El Bulli Hotel; two Michelin-starred Mugaritz; Heston Blumenthal's three Michelin-starred The Fat Duck; and the five star and one Michelin-starred Restaurant-HÃ´tel Ferrero in Valencia. Since 2011, Rut has held the position of Chef Sommelier at the one Michelin-starred Restaurant Pur in the Park Hyatt Paris Vendome, and has been the recipient of many awards. Rebecca Palmer DWWA 2013 Judge Rebecca Palmer is Associate Director and Buyer for the Corney & Barrow Group based in London, Hong Kong and Singapore. As Head of Commercial Buying, she is responsible for the core portfolio of both Corney & Barrowâs Merchanting and Wine Bars 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 17 years. Andreas Larsson DWWA 2013 Regional Chair Andreas Larssonâs career started at the young age of 16, when he followed his passion and entered chef school. Later, during his career as a chef, he was allured by the wine industry and spent numerous hours travelling to wine regions and tasting thousands of wines. After achieving several titles of Best Sommelier in Sweden, Scandinavia and Europe, his dream became true when he was crowned Best Sommelier in the World in 2007. Today, Andreas divides his time between working at renowned restaurant PM & VÃ¤nner in VÃ¤xjÃ¶, Sweden (where he is the Wine Director, in charge of 25000 bottles and 2500 references from around the world) and travelling the globe as a taster, lecturer and consultant. Laura Rhys MS DWWA 2013 Judge Laura Rhys MS started her wine career after gaining a degree in hospitality from college and taking a WSET course, which led her to focus on wine. Her first job was at the Hotel du Vin in Winchester, and during her two and a half years there, Laura ran for and won a regional heat of the Ruinart UK Sommelier of the Year in 2007. When Hotel TerraVina opened in 2007, Laura moved with Gerard Basset MS MW as Head Sommelier, and in 2009, she began studying for her Master Sommelier qualification, passing the practical the first year and gaining the theory and tasting parts in 2010. Madeline Stenwreth MW DWWA 2013 Judge Madeleine Stenwreth MW is based in Sweden and consults globally to high profile wine producers as well as leading importing companies across the Nordic market. Her focus is on product development, blending, quality and style strategy in relation to the requirements of specific target markets. She is also an appreciated coach and mentor for brand and product managers, a WSET Diploma lecturer, and a speaker at international seminars. In 2008 Madeleine became an MW and received the Quinta do Noval Award for her dissertation âThe effect of altitude on Malbec in Mendoza". Prior to setting up her consultancy, Madeleine worked as Quality & Product Development Manager for Nordic wine importer, Prime Wine Group, as Wine Buyer for Systembolaget, the Swedish alcohol retailing monopoly, as Marketing Manager for Wines of South Africa, and in various managerial F&B roles for 5-star Relais & ChÃ¢teaux. Goran Klintberg DWWA 2013 Judge GÃ¶ran Klintberg has been involved in the Swedish wine industry for 26 years, with roles including: 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. 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. Gerd Stepp DWWA 2013 Judge Gerd Steppâs family has been growing grapes in the Pfalz for generations and he himself has been in the wine trade for 25 years. For 10 of those years, Gerd was a Winemaker for Marks & Spencer and has worked in Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Italy and the UK. In 2009, Gerd set up a winery at the site of Stepp Family Vineyards, where he now makes wine. He also consults through WeinWerk on various wine-related matters. Anne Forrest DWWA 2013 Judge Anne Forrest is the Italian Buyer at Laithwaites Wine and is also responsible for Portugal, Argentina, fortified wine, and spirits. Before joining the wine trade, Anne's first love was languages, and consequently she speaks Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese. Her first wine job was with Arblaster and Clarke Wine Tours, where she worked during university holidays, and after graduating she taught English in Rome for a year, and then in Madrid for three years, before returning to the UK in 2005 to work with Laithwaites Wine in its sales team. Anne quickly moved into the Buying Department and has been looking after a number of different regions ever since. Tuomas Meriluoto MW DWWA 2013 Judge Tuomas Meriluoto MW is Managing Director and Partner in one of the leading wine importers in Finland, Winestate Group Oy. In his work, Tuomas is working in co-operation with some of the best known wine producers around the world, including Antinori, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Cono Sur, Masi, Miguel Torres and Symington Family Estates. He also lectures on wine, has contributed to several magazines, produced a wine tasting DVD and participated in the production of a wine, food and travel TV series and book. Tuomas graduated as Master of Wine in 2009, being the second youngest person ever to graduate as an MW. Jo Ahearne MW DWWA 2013 Judge Jo Ahearne MW first worked in the wine trade in the early 1990s at Oddbins, and after two years she went to Australia to work a vintage for Charles Melton, with his Nine Popes and Rose of Virginia wines. While in the Barossa Valley, she decided to sell her house and belongings and enrol in a winemaking degree at Charles Sturt University in Australia, whilst also working at Pipers Brook, Bailey's of Glenrowan, Leasingham and Tintara wineries. Following this, Jo worked as a flying winemaker in Spain and France, was Assistant Winemaker as at Charles Melton, spent four years making Jacobâs Creek, and spent time in Fitou in the Languedoc. In 2004, Jo moved back to the UK to blend wines for Marks & Spencer, before a stint as Wine and Spirits Buyer for Harrods. She now works as a winemaking consultant. Jane Parkinson DWWA 2013 Judge Jane Parkinson is one of the UKâs youngest award-winning wine writers. Working freelance, she contributes regularly to a variety of magazines and newspapers, but is also the wine editor at large for Restaurant magazine, the wine expert for Stylist magazine, and the wine columnist for Tesco Magazine . Jane has been the wine expert on BBC radio programmes and she hosts tastings at fairs such as the BBC Good Food Show and the Ideal Home Show, as well as privately for restaurants and wine merchants. She has been the Chair of Judges for the Rising Stars Trophy, a national competition in search of the best young sommelier and chef team in the UK, and is a member of The Wine Gang, a group of five experts who host consumer fairs and review wines every month on thewinegang.com . Jane also has her own website janeparkinson.com , on which she blogs, posts her published features, recommends wines, and writes restaurant reviews. Lindsay Talas DWWA 2013 Judge Lindsay Talas joined Thierry's in 2004 as Buying Director for Italian, Iberian, South African and South American wines, later venturing further afield to Croatia, and India. In November 2012 Lindsay moved to a new venture, Watermill wines, and now combines buying these areas with selling to key accounts. Starting her wine career in 1988 during a gap year spent working for Oddbins, Lindsay 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, where she was responsible for the launch of the Finest* wine range. Passionate about Italian and Spanish wines, Lindsay has judged in major wine competitions for more than 10 years.

DWWA 2013 Argentina Judging Panel

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