I’m quite thrilled to announce that last week my book, The Essence of Wine, was awarded the Chairman’s Prize at this year’s Louis Roederer International Wine Writers Awards. The book was shortlisted in the book category, (and this web site was shortlisted in the Online Communicator of the Year category), but instead of winning either of those awards, the book was awawarded The Chairman’s Prize, an occasionally bestowed honor that is apparently at the discretion of the Chairman himself, Charles Metcalfe.

You can see the award being bestowed in the photo above, with Jancis Robinson kindly accepting the award on my behalf, as I was unable to make it to London for the ceremony.

I thought I’d wait until an official announcement was made, but one doesn’t seem to be forthcoming, so this is as official as you’re going to get.

Needless to say I’m very proud of this award, or “dead chuffed” as my British friends would say. This is the third major award that my book has won, following two awards at the Gourmand Cookbook awards this past year.

In the event you haven’t picked up your copy yet, you should check it out. It would make a great holiday gift for any wine or food lover.

Awards photo by Maison Marques et Domaines UK