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5. Judging panel

Decanter Staff Decanter Staff

Meet the 2022 judging panel

The Decanter Retailer Awards judging panel consists of six independent wine experts who have been chosen based on their extensive knowledge in the retail environment.

Peter Richards MW, Chairman

Wine Writer & TV Presenter

As a broadcaster, writer and Master of Wine, Peter Richards is a familiar face to many, known for his unique blend of enthusiasm and erudition. His credits include more than a decade on BBC1 plus Sky One, ESPN, Financial Times, The Guardian, ITV1, Radio 4, BBC2 and The Sunday Times.

Peter is a regular Decanter contributor as well as Chairman of the Retailer Awards, and Regional Chair for Chile at the Decanter World Wine Awards.

Simon Field MW

Wine Consultant and ex-buyer for Berry Bros. & Rudd

Simon Field MW

Simon Field MW joined Berry Brothers & Rudd in 1998 and was with them for 20 years, having spent several misguided but lucrative years working as a chartered accountant in the City.

During his time at BBR Simon was buying the Spanish and fortified ranges, and was also responsible for purchasing wines from Champagne, Languedoc-Roussillon, the Rhône Valley and the Loire Valley.

He gained his Master of Wine qualification in October 2002 and in 2015 was admitted into the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino.

Laura Clay

Wine Educator and Chairman of the Association of Wine Educators

Laura Clay is an experienced wine presenter having 30 years in the business, with particular interests in Bordeaux, Rioja, South Africa and Champagne but whose expertise covers wine regions from all around the world.

She is an International Accredited Bordeaux and Rioja Tutor and was UK Champagne Ambassador in 2010. Laura is Chairman of the Association of Wine Educators. She is a past Chairman of the Midlands Wine & Spirit Trade Association, currently a committee member, and is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. She is also part of the team who make up Love Wine, a bi-annual wine festival which had its inaugural event in November 2015 in Birmingham.

Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW

Master of Wine, Wine Lecturer, Author and Consultant

Michelle is a dual Italian/Canadian citizen who left corporate life in Toronto to pursue her passion for wine. Today she is a highly-respected wine lecturer, teaching both wine industry professionals and consumers at WSET London, the Institute Masters of Wine and other wine schools around the world.

She has authored articles on wines, wine regions and wine-related events in trade publications and WSET journals. Michelle is a frequent guest wine expert at major wine shows and wine competitions, and consults to restaurants and wineries. She is an ambassador for trade bodies, utilising her specialist knowledge in Italy, France and the New World.

Leona De Pasquale

Wine Educator, Wine Writer and Founder & Director of Camellia and Vine

Leona de Pasquale

Leona started her career in wine over 20 years ago in Taiwan helping the French government promote wine and cheese on the island. After relocating to the UK, she worked for various wine importers in London serving both on and off-trade customers. Now she dedicates most of her time to writing and teaching about wine, including for her wine and tea training and event company, Camellia and Vine.

Leona is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers and has authored articles for various publications. Her translation work includes The World Atlas of Wine, American Wine, Natural Wine, Amber Revolution, and the WSET study materials.

Vidya Narasimhan

Wine Consultant, Ex Goldman Sachs, Experienced Management Consultant

Vidya is an independent wine consultant who has recently transitioned to the wine industry. After years in management consulting and banking across three continents, she now advises restaurants and private equity firms on investments in food and wine, among other wine related activities. She wrote Beginners Guides on Grapes and Regions for Wines of Eastern Europe.

Vidya is a People’s Choice Drinks Awards Ambassador for 2022 and a Be Inclusive Hospitality Ambassador. She completed her MBA from the Ross School of Business, Michigan, USA (2006).

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