Olly, Olly, Olly
02 April 2009
To much applause at last night’s opening Gala at Vinitaly, in Verona, The International Wine & Spirit Competition awarded their annual trophy for ‘Communicator of the Year’ to celebrated wine writer and broadcaster, Olly Smith.
The specially commissioned Murano glass trophy was presented to Olly by Luigi Castelletti – President of Veronafiere, organisers of Vinitaly, who as sponsors of the award had flown the writer & TV presenter out for the occasion.
The award is determined by a panel of judges in recognition of the individual who has contributed the most to wine or spirits consumer communication, over the preceding twelve months.
Said Frances Horder, IWSC Competition Director:
“There were some outstanding nominations for this title including journalists Tom Stevenson, Sarah Ahmed and David Broom but the extraordinary volume, quality & energy behind Olly Smith’s work over the last year made him the final choice. Olly’s work includes regular appearances on BBC1 ‘Saturday Kitchen’ & UKTV channels, prolific writing and enthusing a wide range of audiences at events across the UK and abroad.
“As a wine raconteur Olly is perhaps without peer; presenting in his inimitable and ebullient style at dozens of festivals including The F-Word Live, the ‘Taste’ shows, BBC Good Food & many wine tastings. This is someone that the panel believed to be without doubt the best ‘Communicator of the Year 2009’.
On collecting the trophy, Olly added;
"I'm immensely proud to be working alongside such a huge range of talent here in the UK and am chuffed to bits to have won this award. It's still sinking in, but for now, I feel like I'm surfing a joyful cascade of fizz to the shores of Happyland. Big thanks to VinItaly and the IWSC for the recognition and here's to a rocking 2009 in the best business in the world. Wine rocks!"
Previous IWSC Communicator of the Year winners include Hugh Johnson, Jancis Robinson MW, Anthony Dias Blue, Andrew Jefford, Susy Atkins, Matthew Jukes, Joe Wadsack, Oz Clarke, Tim Atkin MW and Karen McNeil.
A formal presentation of this award will be made at the IWSC 40th Annual Awards Banquet on November 26th 2009 at The Guildhall, London.
Further information: Full biog on Olly Smith and photograph available
- Emma Calland, Marketing Manager – International Events: IWSC/ Nexus Media Events
e-mail: emma.calland@nexusmediaevents.com
Tel: ++ 44 (0) 1483 548963 - David Lindsay or Yvonne May: Lindsay May PR
e-mail: david@lindsay-may.co.uk or yvonne@lindsay-may.co.uk
Tel: ++ 44 (0) 207 470 8890