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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.

Andy Howard MW

Contributing Editor for Decanter and ex-buyer for Marks & Spencer

Andy Howard MW became a Master of Wine in 2011 and runs his own consultancy business, Vinetrades Ltd, which focuses on education, judging, investment and sourcing.

He previously worked for Marks & Spencer as a buyer for over 30 years and was responsible as wine buyer for Burgundy, Bordeaux, Loire, Champagne, Italy, North and South America, South Africa, England, Port and Sherry.

He is a Decanter contributing editor and writes a regular column on the UK wine retail trade for JancisRobinson.com.

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.

Regine Lee MW

Head of Operations at Liberty Wines & Co-founder of Women in Wine London

Previously a management consultant, Regine joined the wine trade in 2010 and has a wide range of industry experience from trade marketing, education and sales to winemaking. She worked at WSET for several years to develop their Asia-Pacific markets, and is currently the Head of Operations at Liberty Wines.

Regine is a co-founder of Women in Wine London, a trade networking group which organises events to develop women professionally and provide a forum for discussing key developments in the industry. Regine became a Master of Wine 2018 and in 2020 was nominated for WSET’s Outstanding Alumni Award.

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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