The UK Circle of Wine Writers and Pavilion Books have named Andy Lloyd Young Wine Writer 2008 for his essay The Grapes of Health, about the state of the wine industry and the issues associated with responsible drinking.
The award was presented to Lloyd, who manages the Docklands branch of the Majestic Wine Warehouse, by Jancis Robinson MW at a reception at Australia House.
Lloyd said he was drawn to wine after a stint of picking in Margaret River, and chose his essay topic because he felt it was timely.
‘It’s a difficult one – on one hand, consumers need to examine their own drinking habits a bit more carefully,’ he told decanter.com.
‘On the other hand, the industry could be doing more to promote responsible drinking, even if that means encouraging some consumers to cut down.’
Among those present at the reception at Australia House were writer Oz Clarke, as well as previous award-winners Ray O’Connor, Rebecca Gibb, Stuart George and Peter Richards.
Two contributors to Robinson’s website – Victoria Daskal and Richard Hemming – were runners up, while Emily O’Hare and Rebecca Skinner also were short-listed from over 30 entries.
Applicants must be no older than 30, and based in the UK. They cannot have had a wine book published, or be established columnists or magazine contributors.
The Award includes a £1000 cheque, a two-week trip to Australia courtesy of Wine Australia and Qantas, and an engraved decanter.
Written by Maggie Rosen
