July 07: The industry legend Steven Spurrier, a former wine merchant known for organising the Judgement of Paris 1976, who became a prolific writer, judge, critic and a winemaker and passed away in March this year, was honoured last night by the Gerard Basset Foundation with The Oeno Golden Vines Honorary Award given to his wife Bella Spurrier for his extraordinary achievements at a dinner hosted by Liquid Icons, reports Subhash Arora
The dinner took place at The Manor House in The Rosewood Hotel London yesterday. Jane MacQuitty, The Times Wine Critic and Spurrier ’s friend presented the Golden Vines Trophy to his wife Bella Spurrier, following a 3-minute video presentation as dedication on Steven ’s life made especially for the dinner. ‘Quite simply, Steven was one of the greatest wine men of his generation, just as his mentor and friend, Michael Broadbent before him’, said Jane.
Bella Spurrier said, “I am delighted to accept the Award on behalf of my late husband, whose contribution to the world of fine wine, both through the Judgment of Paris tastings and his long, successful career, has touched so many who share his thirst for learning and love for this most treasured of god ’s creations. Steven would have been very proud to receive this Award and of the work that the Gerard Basset Foundation is doing to promote diversity and inclusion in the wine world which is currently sorely lacking.”
The award has been sponsored by Oeno Group- wholesalers and wine importers. Michael Doerr, CEO of Oeno said, “We are delighted to have sponsored this Award to the wine legend Steven Spurrier, whose impact on the fine wine world is immeasurable. As a leading fine wine merchant, we walk in Steven ’s shoes. We are also proud and honoured to be supporting the Gerard Basset Foundation in the work that they are doing.”
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The 79-year old Steven had passed away on 9 March, 2021 after losing his battle with cancer. He had strong ties with India through the Wine Society of India. He also collaborated with Fratelli wines to make a blend M/S in collaboration with their Italian winemaker Piero Masi and introduced red, white and rose variants. He used to visit India every year for blending. Unfortunately, the blending exercise for the 2020 vintage was done at his house as he was bed-ridden and not physically able to travel to India.
Gerard Basset had passed away earlier, on 16 January, 2019 also of cancer. Both of them were supporters of delWine and contributed in different ways as inputs to many Articles.
Lewis Chester DipWSET, the CEO of Liquid Icons, also announced at the dinner a short-list for the winners of The Golden Vines Hall of Fame and The Golden Vines Innovation Awards, following voting by 442 fine wine professionals from 55 countries in The 2021 Gerard Basset Global Fine Wine Report, independently adjudicated by Deloitte.
Gerard Basset Wine Education Charitable Foundation was set up to honour the legacy and memory of Gerard Basset OBE MW MS. It aims to address the most pressing issues of the wine industry through education, training & mentorship. It comprises a multidisciplinary team of industry-leading professionals as its Trustees-Nina Basset FIH, Romané Basset, Lewis Chester DipWSET, Ian Harris MBE DipWSET, and Jancis Robinson OBE MW.
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Liquid Icons is a fine wine research and content production company founded by the late Gerard Basset OBE MW MS and Lewis Chester DipWSET- two friends to do stuff in wine. ‘We create first-class original content and research about the world ’s greatest fine wines and spirits. Our work encompasses motion picture, industry research, recognition and celebration of wine and spirits excellence, charitable and fundraising activities, as well as educational initiatives, says Lewis.
Subhash Arora
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