Worldwide recognition for Andover wine expert

A wine expert and author from Andover has won a worldwide accolade for his book on the wines of Piemonte, in Italy.

David Way, 70 from Redbridge Drive wrote the book after feeling that many wines in the region were overlooked and deserved recognition.

“Italian wines are my favourite and I wanted to shine a light on those wines which people don’t know about. Most wine lovers know about Barolo and Barbaresco, but thee are so many more wines to taste.”

The book, The Wines of Piermonte, was honoured by the International Organisation of the Vine and Wine, the world authority for wine. It publishes reports on the world’s wine production, consumption and trends.

David holding his bookDavid holding his book (Image: David Way)

Mr Way said he hadn’t been expecting to win the accolade: “I heard about the award during the recent Olympics. It was like getting a medal in a race though I didn’t know I had been entered in the race! My publisher just submitted the book and the very first I heard about it was that I had won an award.” 

Mr Way writes text books for the Wine and Spirit Educational Trust (WSET), the world’s largest provider of wine education, based in Dijon, France, where everyone from bartenders to sommeliers learn their trade. Mr Way and wife, Janet Tomllnson also run a wine tasting group based in the town, called Andover Wine Friends, who meet to learn about and taste wines.

“My love of wine started just through drinking it over the years and I started to collect wines and discover new regions.”

Mr Way will be toasting his success at an award ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal on Friday.