Taste-In, Taster Steven Spurrier.

Steven has over 40 years experience in wine. In the 70's he founded L’Academie du Vin, France’s first independent wine school. The Academy held the now famous tasting comparing top California Chardonnays and Cabernets with top white Burgundies and Red Bordeaux.

Judged by a highly prestigious panel of French tasters, California wines took first places in both white and red. It was this 'Judgement of Paris' which helped introduce California to the international wine scene. In the '80s Steven set up the Christie’s Wine Course on the invitation of Michael Broadbent of Christie’s Wine Department and Robert Cumming of Christie’s Education.

Steven has written several books including 'L’Academie du Vin Wine Course', 'L’Academie du Vin Guide to French Wines' and 'How to Buy Fine Wine'. In collaboration with Oz Clarke he contributed to 'The Clarke-Spurrier Fine Wine Guide'.

As an independent wine consultant Steven has worked with Harrods, Delta Air Lines and Hediard and since 1989 he has been Singapore Airline’s wine consultant. After two terms as Chairman, and six years as Vice-President, he is currently President of the Circle of Wine Writers.

Recipient of several national and international awards, Spurrier is a regular official judge on the international wine competition circuit and is Chairman of the Decanter World Wine Awards and the Japan Wine Challenge.