DWWA judges

DWWA Acting Regional Chair: Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW

Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW is an Acting Regional Chair for Tuscany at the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards and a consultant tutor at the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) in London.

DWWA judge profile: Chris Kissack

Chris Kissack is the author of TheWinedoctor.com, a subscription website which he has been publishing since 2000, and is a regular reporter from the annual Bordeaux en primeur tastings.

DWWA judge profile: David Vareille

David Vareille is Brasserie General Manager at The Arts Club London.

DWWA judge profile: Frederic Marti

Frederic Marti is GM of Fred’s Wine Bar and Wine Director at The Typing Room located in East London's Town Hall Hotel.

DWWA judge profile: Jane Parkinson

Jane Parkinson is an award-winning writer, broadcaster and author.

DWWA judge profile: Laura DePasquale MS

Laura DePasquale MS is the President/General Manager of the ARTISANAL FINE WINES division of Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits Florida, a division she created and launched in May 2016.

DWWA judge profile: Matt Smith

Matt Smith is a judge at the at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) and buying director at Naked Wines.

DWWA judge profile: Brian Cronin MS

Brian Cronin MS has worked as sommelier in some of the top restaurants in America and is now National Education Manager for Palm Bay International.

DWWA Judge: Peter Csizmadia-Honigh

Peter Csizmadia-Honigh is a wine writer based in Somerset and with a base in Hungary’s Somló wine region too.

DWWA judge profile: Marcel Orford-Williams

Marcel Orford-Williams is a buyer for The Wine Society, sourcing from Rhône, Southern and regional French wines and Germany.

DWWA judge profile: Dimitri Mesnard MS

Dimitri Mesnard MS is the International Brand Ambassador for Jackson Family Wines.

DWWA judge profile: Pierre Mansour

Pierre Mansour is Head Buyer at The Wine Society.

DWWA judge profile: Arabella Woodrow MW

Arabella Woodrow MW is now retired after working in many different sectors of the wine trade. She continues to do wine consultancy, mentoring work and judging in wine competitions.

DWWA judge profile: Jean-Michel Valette MW

Jean-Michel Valette MW is director of Vinfolio, a US-based internet marketplace for fine wine.

DWWA Judge Profile: Christopher Tanghe MS

Christopher Tanghe MS is Chief Instructor with GuildSomm, which involves spearheading masterclasses across the country, conducting webinars and contributing editorial content to guildsomm.com.

DWWA judge profile: Beverly Tabbron MW

Beverly Tabbron MW is head of training and education at Hallgarten Druitt.

DWWA judge profile: Igor Sotric

Igor Sotric is Head Sommelier and Wine Buyer at China Tang at the Dorchester. He also acts as consultant to several restaurants, and since 2009 he has been making his own Chardonnay in Goriska Brda, Slovenia, with his friend Marijan Simcic.

DWWA judge profile: Neil Sommerfelt MW

Neil Sommerfelt MW is proprietor of NS Wine Consultancy, a business he set up in 2014. He works with a number of different companies including H2Vin Ltd and Philglas & Swiggot, with particular responsibility for their Burgundy En Primeur campaigns.

DWWA judge profile: Ulf Sjödin MW

Ulf Sjödin MW is a judge at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

DWWA judge profile: Greg Sherwood MW

Greg Sherwood MW is Senior Wine Buyer for Fine Wines at Handford Wines in South Kensington.

DWWA Judge profile: Diana Rollan

Diana Rollan is Group Head of Beverage for restaurant and hotel group D&D London.

DWWA judge profile: Ben Robson

Ben Robson is the buying director for boutique importer of Italian wines, Bat and Bottle, which he co-founded with his wife, Emma, in 1994.

DWWA judge profile: Mike Ritchie MW

Mike Ritchie MW works in sales role at Freixenet-Copestick, the UK division of German sekt producer Henkell.

DWWA judge profile: Laura Rhys MS

Laura Rhys MW is Prestige Development Manager at Gusbourne, the leading English wine estate. Her role as part of the management team sees her covering development both in the UK and internationally.

DWWA Judge profile: Piotr Pietras MS

Piotr Pietras MS is a managing director of Terroirysci, a wine import project, and co-owner of Kontakt Wino & Bistro, a neighbourhood restaurant and wine shop in Warsaw.

DWWA judge profile: Rebecca Palmer

Rebecca Palmer is Associate Director and Buyer for Corney & Barrow Ltd based in London, Hong Kong and Singapore.

DWWA judge profile: Christine Parkinson

Christine Parkinson is co-founder and drinks consultant for Brimful Drinks.

DWWA judge profile: Matthieu Longuère MS

Matthieu Longuère MS is Cordon Bleu’s Wine Development Manager at their school in London.

DWWA judge profile: Benjamin Llewelyn

Benjamin Llewelyn is a judge at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

DWWA judge profile: Jan Konetzki

Jan Konetzki is a DWWA 2022 judge and an independent sommelier, offering tailored consultancy services for trade and private clients in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, France, the Americas and Asia.