2009 Young Wine Writer Award

At a presentation held last night at Australia House, members of the Circle of Wine Writers and the wine trade gathered together for the announcement of the winning ‘Young Wine Writer of the Year 2009.’ The event, now in its 9th year, is sponsored by Pavilion Books, (publishers of Oz Clarke and Michael Broadbent) and the Circle of Wine Writers, together with Wine Australia.
 
After much deliberation the judges had short-listed (in alphabetical order): Christian Bailey, Lee Bishop, Douglas Blyde, Nicola Cornelius, Emily O’Hare and Abi Tyler. The two runners-up were Douglas Blyde and Abi Tyler who each received a bottle of Jansz sparkling wine presented by the John McDonnell, of Wine Australia.

The Young Wine Writers Award winner 2009 was announced as Nicola Cornelius for her entry on ‘FROM BACKPACKING CELLAR-HANDS TO FLYING WINEMAKERS: THE SUNNY SIDE OF GLOBALISATION’. 

 
 
Fiona Holman of Pavilion Books said: “This award aims to encourage new writing talent within the world of wine and to provide a real opportunity for some inspiring travel around vineyards and wineries across the globe. We are looking for wine writing potential rather than extensive knowledge or experience. We had a record number of quality entries this year which was most encouraging. I urge all this year’s entrants still eligible to enter again next year.”
 
This year’s winner, Nicola has worked at Liberty Wines since 2008.

The prizes for the 2009 winner include a £1000 cheque presented by Pavilion Books and, courtesy of Wine Australia, a two-week trip of a lifetime to the wine regions of Australia, plus an engraved glass decanter. 

For further information on the award contact: 

Pavilion Wine

• Fiona Holman Commissioning Editor (Wine), fholman@anovabooks.com 
• Jane Ellis Head of Publicity and Marketing, jellis@anovabooks.com 

Wine Australia