annual James Beard Awards focus on restaurants and journalism with a myriad of awards covering all sorts of categories of each. Of particular interest to me are the journalism awards, some of which inevitably highlight a few of America’s best wine writers and their work. It’s always worth paying attention to those restaurants and wine professionals who are recognized for their work as well.

So without further ado, here’s what the James Beard Association had to say about the past year of wine in America.

Newspaper writing on spirits, wine or beer (in a rare tie)
Eric Felten, “He Drinks, She Drinks,” The Wall Street Journal

Dara Moskowitz, “Asked and Answered,” City Pages, Minneapolis

Magazine writing on spirits, wine or beer
Fiona Morrison, MW, “Chambolle-Musigny,” Wine & Spirits Magazine

Multimedia writing on food, beverage, restaurant or nutrition
Edward Deitch, MSNBC.com/NBC Mobile, “On the Trail of Great Californian Syrah”

Newspaper section on Food and Wine
San Francisco Chronicle, Miriam Morgan and Jon Bonne

Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional
Paul Draper, Ridge Vineyards

Best Book on Wine
Romancing the Vine: Life, Love, and Transformation in the Vineyards of Barolo by Alan Tardi, St. Martin’s Press

Restaurant with Outstanding Wine Service
Mark Slater and Michel Richard, Citronelle, Washington, DC

Congratulations to all the award winners! It’s nice to see the Chronicle getting some props for its continued good work, and to see Paul Draper recognized for what has been an astonishing and groundbreaking career as a winemaker.

Here’s the full list of award recipients for 2007.