Find out more about the world-renowned names that make up the 2014 Decanter World Wine Awards judging line-up in this Q&A series.
Simon Field MW joined Berry Brothers & Rudd in 1998, having spent several misguided but lucrative years working as a chartered accountant in the City. Field is responsible for purchasing wines from Spain, South America and England as well as Berry’s fortified ranges. He gained his Master of Wine qualification in 2002.
Read our interview with Simon Field MW below:
☆ Which year or decade do you wish you’d been born in and why?
I would have quite liked to witness The Field of the Cloth of Gold, which I think was in the 1520s.
☆ How old were you when you had your first wine ‘moment’ and what was it?
It was shockingly late, having seldom been invited the dine at High Table. The ‘moment’ was a venerable Tondonia Blanco, it was the summer, and it was all most agreeable.
☆ How many bottles do you have in your cellar and what is your most recent addition?
Far too few to mention, recently replenished with some Dow 2011.
☆ How many years have you been working in the wine industry and what was your first job?
16 years, the first two of which were spent in Oddbins, initially in Belsize Village, which was handy as the shop was at the end of the road.
☆ Which vintage and region (or wine) do you wish you’d bought a whole case of wine from?
It would, without resorting to the most obvious examples, have been nice to buy more Champagne from, say, 1990 or 1995. One or two 1964 Riojas would also have been nice.
☆ In the last 12 months, which grape have you drunk the most of?
Tempranillo probably.
☆ In the last 12 months, what’s the most exciting region you’ve discovered or re-discovered and why?
I am convinced that Provence merits rediscovery, illustrated with plenty of local tastings, and mainly in the summer.
☆ Who’s your wine idol (who has inspired you the most in the wine world)?
Hugh Johnson and Andrew Jefford are proper writers, who could, can and do write in any discipline. Whether or not this qualifies them to be contestants on Wine Idol is another matter.
☆ What’s your most memorable wine and food moment?
El Bulli in its final year; plenty of moments and, to the best of my recollection, plenty of wines.
☆ If you could taste/drink any wine in the world what would it be and who would you drink it with?
Any lovingly crafted wine, anywhere, with Rebecca.
☆ What do you enjoy most about judging at the Decanter World Wine Awards?
The breakfast patisserie selection is unsurpassed.
Written by Decanter
