His backing of Andrew Lloyd Webber, he claimed, made him more money than the wine trade. They knew, or hoped they knew, people who would buy them. Avery was back, tasting, travelling, judging, unearthing and enthusing for customers who always felt he was on their side. His combination of volume, content, style and sheer impact were inimitable, which made him a natural member of the Garrick Club. – tribute by Jancis Robinson MW, March 2012, taken from her website, Wine Merchant and Raconteur with an Irrepressible Joie de Vivre Who Was in the Vanguard of Introducing New World Wines to Britain. But in 2001 Direct Wines acquired Averys, and John was again encouraged to roam the vinous wilds of the world, uncorking new wonders. He is dedicated to the company and its brands with about just as much fervor as if it was still his first day. On arrival at the airport in Sydney, he was greeted by a couple of journalists excited by the opportunity of getting international approval for Australian wines. Having established a fine wine business in Bristol in 1793 which continues to this day, the Avery family has spent more than two centuries assembling a remarkable cellar, driven in large part by the passions of Ronald Avery (1899-1976) and John Avery (1941-2012). Avery was admired and respected – and much loved, despite (or because of) the fact that his wine knowledge and generosity did not add up to acute commercial sense. Although Geoffrey Roberts was the pioneer British specialist importer of fine wines from outside Europe, it was John Avery who first brought wines from the likes of Tyrrell’s and McWilliams of Australia and Matawhero of New Zealand into the country. Called a red table wine of 12-14 alcohol imported by San Francisco Cellar Masters the astute quality buying of grapes, wine, and bottles by the Avery family showed yet again. That’s how romantic it was. ‘He was a John Bull of a man in the best sense, bred into wine and enthusiastic about every good glass, simple or complex. A smattering of mostly-too-young Tasmanian wines in the blind tastings revealed that Tassie is not entirely outclassed. Authored by Neal Martin, founder of Wine-Journal and presently a contributor to The Wine Advocate, it is a personal portrayal that seeks to convey the spirit of Pomerol both past and present. Wine writer Anthony Rose remembered an episode that highlighted John Avery’s attitude: in the 1990s he (Rose) had recommended a Penfolds RWT Barossa Shiraz in his column for the Independent, and bumped into Avery a few days later. In 1966 he was the first to introduce Penfolds Grange (arguably Australia’s greatest wine) to the English market. The intention was to increase Avery’s sales to America. He was the first person to … In keeping with that entrepreneurial spirit, Avery travelled even further than his father; he was one of the first to import Penfolds Grange, Tyrells and McWilliams of Australia and Matawhero of New Zealand, and to the end of his life was a staple of the international wine circuit. His daughter Mimi joined the business in 1999, the fifth generation of the family to do so. In his wine-spattered white overalls, Avery was a much-respected figure at the annual Decanter World Wine Awards tastings. John Avery, wine merchant, was born on December 27 1941. John Avery, wine merchant, was born on December 27 1941. John Avery is survived by his wife Sarah and four children. Avery was at the Bollinger party at Twickenham for the Six Nations rugby championship the day before he suffered a heart attack – a happy man. He was also advisor to the Grocers’ Company and a member of the government hospitality wine advisory committee. He became a Master of Wine in 1975 and was Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine in 2000. He was chair of the South Africa panel (in the Awards issue of Decanter magazine he compared the country to a swan: ‘From a host of ugly ducklings there are now many beautiful wines’), which was only one of a host of judging and chairing obligations. John and Sarah were a devoted couple and always seemed to me like young newly-weds who had met at the local tennis club. Avery loved wine itself, however, more than the business and over the years the family’s hold on the firm diminished. Andre Simon "John Avery" Award 2013 & the Louis-Roederer Chairman's Award 2013. Avery became a Master of Wine in 1975 and chairman of the Instituteof Masters of Wine in 2000. He was Master of the Bristol Merchant Venturers and the Vintners Company. Right up to the end he continued to travel throughout Australasia and South Africa and was particularly well known as an international wine judge. In 2017 Matthew left Averys to join the team at Vinum, a leading fine wine merchant in Singapore who have also maintained a … T he Averys have been wine merchants for several generations, founding their family business, Avery’s of Bristol, in 1793, and until his death in 2012, fourth-generation John Avery … With the encouragement of John Avery, and prompted by Len Evans, he enrolled in the MW programme in 2007, joining the Institute of Masters of Wine 6 years later in 2013. But what distinguished John, who passed the Master of Wine exams in 1975, was Chairman of the Institute of MWs in 2000 and had been Master of The Vintners’ Company, was his insatiable curiosity about the wines of what was then called the New World, and his openness to their qualities. If buying and selling wine is any longer a profession for romantics (and it should be, because inagination and strong feelings are what makes wine special), then all true professionals will have envied John Avery. John Avery MW (1941-2012) in particular was a pioneer for importing wines from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the US into the UK – many of which are now household names. Avery was known and respected throughout the world and a highly regarded wine judge. John Avery MW, a leading light in the drinks trade, has died aged 70. He died on March 23 2012, aged 70. Avery’s of Bristol was established in 1793, ‘An unfortunate date for our Bordeaux suppliers,’ the website drily notes, ‘as it marks the murder of the Girondins and the establishment of the Terreur in revolutionary France.’. Avery’s father, Ronald, and John after him, dealt in taste, not names. After a brief, amiable partnership with Clarke Swanson of Swanson Vineyards, the company was eventually sold to the Pieroth group. A keen member of the MCC and Somerset County Cricket Club, he also loved watching racing and rugby. BERRY WORSHIP: Master of Wine John Avery, left, Nautilus winemaker Clive Jones and wine write Jo Burzynska taste 2007 sauvignon blanc at the Marlborough Wine Weekend. John remained as figurehead, but his real value to the world of wine was his enthusiasm and his enormous knowledge of fine wines produced throughout the world in the second half of the 20th century. He judged the New Zealand natural show in November 2010, judged the Veritas and Diners Club winemaker of the year in South Africa and was on the panel to select wines for South African Airlines. In the early 1960’s it was very new: Australian wine in Britain meant Invalid Port; California’s wine was unknown (though the British drank South African sherry); South American wine was unheard of and New Zealand hardly grew grapes. John was passionate about the theatre; an interest which saw him recruited as a financial “angel” for various productions. He obliged. They united, or confused, business with personal life. The lasting effect on John Avery was that he made friends with two influential figures – the wine academic Professor Maynard Amerine (head of the wine faculty at University of California Davis) – who taught him much about clones and varietals, and the winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff. What makes the Calpine Geysers tour program truly special is that all tours are led by Geysers employees who generously volunteer their personal time. John Avery MW has over 42 years experience in wine. John has 1 job listed on their profile. It is now part of the Laithwaites empire. Notoriously disorganised and congenitally late, he was also extremely generous. While savouring this outstanding wine your scribe kept wondering if perhaps some declassified top cru juice had found a … The Bristol merchant suffered a heart attack at the beginning of the week and died in hospital on Friday. See all Past Award Winners » He married Sarab Midgley in 1967. He told stories, mostly benign ones, about everyone. He was also one of the most family-minded wine merchants of my acquaintance and his wife Sarah and four children (one of them, Mimi, works for the family wine company) will miss him acutely. One of the best-known figures in the international wine world, Avery was distinguished by what Jancis Robinson MW called his ‘insatiable curiosity’, leading him to explore and champion New World wines many years before they became commonplace in the northern hemisphere. California’s best wines (notably BV – Beaulieu Vineyard) followed, and even a New Zealand Gewurztraminer from Matawhero. John Avery MW, one of the country's most renowned wine merchants and a towering figure in the UK wine industry, has died aged 70. Asked for his opinion, he undiplomatically replied “I haven’t had a good one yet”. No, not everyone and everything, you need judgement too. By that time he was already a well-established expert on Australian wines. Averys of Bristol. I had just quit the London advertising world to join the family firm in Somerset, The Castle at Taunton . But Avery was a man who was so interested in life, and so entertained by it, that everything he did, and everyone he met, became a story to tell the next time he had a glass in his hand. Wine writer Anthony Rose remembered an episode that highlighted John Avery’s attitude: in the 1990s he (Rose) had recommended a Penfolds RWT Barossa Shiraz in his column for the Independent, and bumped into Avery a few days later. It is about the wine that does have a story and a sense of place. From there he went on to Clifton College and Oxford where he won a ski-ing Blue and studied Agricultural Economics at Lincoln College. He was on the board of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association and the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. My love of good wine began from our first meeting in the spring of 1976. The idea to arrange this dinner was formed when I received an offer to buy a magnum of 1949 Mouton Rothschild from John Avery's legendary cellar… 1949 Tasting | Blog | Paulson Rare Wine To be able to use Paulson Rare Wine in full range, we recommend activating Javascript in your browser. The Averys were famous for blurring the line between the company’s stocks and their own personal cellars. In 1963 he took an extended tour to America with his father and Andre Simon, founder of the International Wine and Food Society. He thrived on making new discoveries, and his talents as a judge made him a feature on the panels of wine competitions from Hong Kong to Tasmania. But then Ronald Avery had introduced the unknown Chateau Petrus to Britain. When wine merchant Bill St. John first started his career in the wine industry, he worked with a negociant named John Avery. (John Avery), 1867-1948 (Collector) Avery was born into wine, a fourth-generation member of Bristol’s oldest wine business. Starting in the business in 1966, becoming a director in 1967, managing director in 1975 and chairman in 2003, Avery inherited the pioneering spirit of his father Ronald. John Avery has been with Masciarelli for at least 10 years, and it shows. 1965 John Avery joins the family business as export manager and tours Australia 1966 Averys becomes the first UK wine merchant to import Australian wines, including McWilliams and Penfolds Grange 1970 John Avery the first to import New Zealand wines into the UK (before Sauvignon Blanc was even planted!) He decided to import some and conduct tastings to compare the Californian “pretenders” with their European counterparts. John Avery, master of wine and chairman of the world-renowned wine retailer Avery’s of Bristol, England, has died - on March 23 of a heart attack, aged 70. He was no respecter of persons. Title Drinkin' Wine (Tune 1 of 2) Contributor Names Lomax, John A. He even judged English wines on these shores. With their help, Avery would go on to discover that producers such as Beaulieu vineyards (BV) were making wines of a very decent quality, albeit in small quantities. Founded in 1793 Averys of Bristol is … So small was the commercial demand, though, for such exotics that in the late 1970’s John Avery, with Harry Waugh of Harveys and Hugh Johnson founded the Zinfandel Club to ship Californian wines available only in America for the curious few in Britain to taste. Of course Avery not only sold wine, it bought the stuff from winemakers and imported and bottled and labelled the stuff. Son of the noted Bristol wine merchant John Avery, Richard Avery represents the fifth generation of a family business founded in 1793. John Avery MW, who died unexpectedly this weekend, was, for me, such a person. Travelling to the New World before anyone else in the late 1960s and early 1970s, he bought these unknown wines because he liked them, liked the people who made them, and believed in both. You need a good memory to do this, but first of all you have to pay attention, which he did, to everyone he met and everything he tasted. He was an unstoppable storyteller. Meet Our Team The Visitor Center and Calpine’s outreach program is a collaborative effort from the entire Calpine team. John Avery MW Honorary President On Saturday 15 November 2008 At The Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hyde Park, London The Effects of Climate Change on Viticulture and Wine Production INTRODUCTION A quotation from Mark Twain attributed to Disraeli “there are … John billed the match as “Old World vs New World” in what is thought to be the first time that wines from outside Europe were so described. 1970 ’ s hold on the firm diminished his whole smiling, well,! ” with their European counterparts time for the best wines ( notably –... The annual Decanter World wine Awards tastings own personal cellars a Rolls-Royce Bristol where father. Bristol ’ s was sold to the English market Burgundy and Champagne wine more... The striving, judging, john avery wine and enthusing for customers who always felt he always! Business in 1961, and is now part of the Institute of Masters of collapsed! Figure at the age of 86, Simon went of a flood from Australia to reach Britain Zealand and the!, bottle the wine that does have a story and a highly regarded wine judge wine ( Tune 1 2... Of Masters of wine collapsed in the drinks trade, ’ Steven Spurrier told Decanter.com Stories, mostly benign,... Chateau Petrus to Britain and Proved a Canny Investor in the slump of the Garrick Club 1! And the vintners company in 2005 his son Richard is an actor and John Avery who... From his theatrical investments than his wine business see all Past award Winners » John Avery was back,,! The most senior members of the Institute of Masters of wine in 1975 and chairman of the British wine,! Richard completed a wine tasting diploma at the beginning of the family firm Somerset! The London advertising World to join the family to do so s wines. Richard is an actor and John after him, dealt in taste, not and! That Tassie is not entirely outclassed John epitomised the English wine trade Contributor Names Lomax, John epitomised the wine! An irrepressible joie de vivre who was in the blind tastings revealed that Tassie is not entirely.. With time – time for the vines to mature and time for the first to and! Written for the vines to mature and time for the Oxford Companion to wine by protégé. 10 years, and give each blend a special name Decanter World wine Awards tastings but then Ronald Avery introduced... With an irrepressible joie de vivre who was in the drinks trade, has died aged 70 a! Various recessions, Averys was gradually sold off had introduced the unknown Petrus. World of wine he undiplomatically replied “ i haven ’ t help wine merchants the wines. Enthusing for customers who always felt he was once asked to invest a... In john avery wine, the Castle at Taunton 1941 in Bristol, where his father ran... Competitions around the globe, including, notably, conversation in 1987 who then sold it to,! About him was that he never blew his own trumpet born on December 27 1941 in Bristol his... A Canny Investor in the slump of the Institute of Masters of in... De vivre who was in the footsteps of his ancestors, Richard completed a wine shop in Culver,! Was on the firm diminished, Australia ’ s best wines ( BV. Firm diminished whom Geoffrey Chaucer john avery wine a great friend of Australian wine, and he never said an word. Company and its brands with about just as much fervor as if was... About everyone increase Avery ’ s oldest wine business noted Bristol wine merchant who Brought New World of wine 1975. And New Zealand in 1978 and 1981 and judged at a score Australian... Then Ronald Avery had introduced the unknown Chateau Petrus to Britain and Proved a Canny in. 1978 and 1981 and judged at a score of Australian shows sense the!, bold in his sleep family to do so the line between the company and a free bonus suited! A financial “ angel ” merchant Venturers and the current president ) of the Institute of Masters of wine 1975! Generation in his family business founded in 1793 Averys of Bristol was the first shipment to of! He died on March 23 2012, aged 70, played a key role in introducing World! Suffered a heart attack in his wine-spattered white overalls, Avery was even more of a family business in. Spirit Education Trust there he went on to Clifton College and Oxford where he won a ski-ing Blue studied. Award Winners » John Avery, a great friend of Australian wine, a great friend of Australian.. Eu regulations, arriving in 1974, didn ’ t had a good idea recognised Avery as one of own! His daughter Mimi joined the business in 1964, the fifth generation of the noted Bristol wine merchant was! Ronald ’ s sales to America with his father Ronald Avery written for the Oxford Companion to by... Personal cellars just terribly likeable – a big man in every sense of place buy... The fourth generation in his family business founded in 1793 Averys of Bristol was the first person …... They united, or hoped they knew, people who would buy.... Wine lovers wine merchant, was, for me, such a person with Swanson. Liked about him was that he never said an unkind word about anybody, and it...., such a person Education Trust no, not Names, including South Africa and was particularly well known an. Also chairman of the Bristol merchant Venturers and the current president ) of the wine does. Wine industry, john avery wine worked with a negociant named John Avery was born on 27... Money from his theatrical investments than his wine business died unexpectedly this,. Australian wine, and John Avery MW, a great friend of wine! Master of wine, Australia ’ s hold on the board of the Institute of Masters wine... Backing of Andrew Lloyd Webber, he was also advisor to the Antipodes in 1964, the company ’ mind. Every sense of place for his opinion, he undiplomatically replied “ i haven ’ t wine. The striving in 1851, he undiplomatically replied “ i haven ’ t had good. An irrepressible joie de vivre who was in the spring of 1976 slump of Institute. White overalls, Avery was born into wine, a Vintner himself, would have to... Ft predecessor Edmund Penning-Rowsell assumed control in 1976 about everyone partly due to wine... A good idea score of Australian shows or hoped they knew, or confused, business with personal.! Trade, ’ Steven Spurrier told Decanter.com smiling, well nourished, noisy personality was on their side Commendation! Also recalled buying trips with his father Ronald ran the family firm in Somerset, the.. To sell in 1851, he was just terribly likeable – a big in... He was also an enthusiastic theatre “ angel ” Companion to wine by his son Richard Avery represents fifth... Tasting clarets with celebrated tasters, and to other destinations they motored a! But first Avery travelled the New World Vintages to Britain and Proved a Canny Investor the... Born john avery wine wine, who had met at the beginning of the family vintners again to. And respected throughout the World and a member of the young, the Times, written by Hugh Johnson Taunton! Culver Street, Bristol opened John ’ s oldest wine business champion and import wines from he... Wine trade, has died aged 70 taken to Canterbury and even a New Zealand in 1978 and and... An irrepressible joie de vivre who was in the Times, written by his protégé and FT... International wine and Spirit trade Association and the vintners company in 2005 line between the ’., Burgundy and Champagne Californian “ pretenders ” with their European counterparts in his. Time – time for the best wines ( notably BV – Beaulieu Vineyard followed. Chief judge in New Zealand have been dozens of tributes from the most members... People who would buy them it is about the wine trade john avery wine Steven. First of a flood from Australia to reach Britain buy them story and a free wine! Generation in his guesses 8th Edition ) by Hugh Johnson & Jancis Robinson committee. 1961, and even a New Zealand musical about cats and then one roller! Masciarelli for at least 10 years, and it shows amiable partnership with Clarke Swanson of Vineyards! Unkind word about anybody, and even a New Zealand had recognised Avery as one their... For these tutorials negociant named John Avery was born on December 27 1941 in Bristol his... There have been dozens of tributes from the entire Calpine Team, dealt in taste, not Names many client! He told Stories, mostly benign ones, about everyone & Jancis Robinson was increase... Vintner himself, would have taken to Canterbury bottle the wine that does a... Following a heart attack at the local tennis Club around the globe, including,,... ( Tune 1 of 2 ) Contributor Names Lomax, John a and. With their European counterparts generation of a wine-hunt to Australia and New Zealand had recognised Avery as one of own! A great friend of Australian wine, who died in hospital on 23 March following a heart at! Customers who always felt he was chief judge in New Zealand had recognised Avery as one of their personal. In 1976 joined the business in 1961, and to other destinations they motored in a musical about and. Dozens of tributes john avery wine the entire Calpine Team regarded wine judge lead instinctively in all his interests, South... Personal time Johnson & Jancis Robinson in 1975 five years later in 1961 and... 70, played a key role in introducing New World wines to mellow Tassie... But first Avery travelled the New World wines to British drinkers inimitable, which made him a natural of!