JUDGING PANEL: Decanter Retailer Awards 2023

Laura Clay

Wine Educator and Chairman of the Association of Wine Educators

Laura Clay is an experienced wine presenter having 30 years in the business, with particular interests in Bordeaux, Rioja, South Africa and Champagne but whose expertise covers wine regions from all around the world.

She is an International Accredited Bordeaux and Rioja Tutor and was UK Champagne Ambassador in 2010. Laura is Chairman of the Association of Wine Educators. She is a past Chairman of the Midlands Wine & Spirit Trade Association, currently a committee member, and is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. She is also part of the team who make up Love Wine, a bi-annual wine festival which had its inaugural event in November 2015 in Birmingham.

Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW

Master of Wine, Wine Lecturer, Author and Consultant

Michelle is a dual Italian/Canadian citizen who left corporate life in Toronto to pursue her passion for wine. Today she is a highly-respected wine lecturer, teaching both wine industry professionals and consumers at WSET London, the Institute Masters of Wine and other wine schools around the world.

She has authored articles on wines, wine regions and wine-related events in trade publications and WSET journals. Michelle is a frequent guest wine expert at major wine shows and wine competitions, and consults to restaurants and wineries. She is an ambassador for trade bodies, utilising her specialist knowledge in Italy, France and the New World.

Mags Janjo

Wine Educator and owner of MJ Wine Cellars

Mags boasts 13 years of industry experience, having occupied a range of different roles across Wine Retail, Sales and Brand Creation.

Mags has spent his entire working life in the wine industry, starting off at Waitrose before a couple of years selling wine to both the on- and off-trade, including a stint at Majestic Wine’s commercial arm. He was most recently a Senior Account Manager at Roberson where he worked with major UK supermarkets. He now has his own company MJ Wine Cellars offering wine education and consultancy services.

Leona De Pasquale

Wine Educator, Wine Writer, Master of Wine Student

Leona started her career in wine over 20 years ago in Taiwan helping the French government promote wine and cheese on the island. After relocating to the UK, she worked for various wine importers in London serving both the on and off-trade customers and gained a wide range of industry experience before dedicating most of her time to writing and teaching about wine. She trains hospitality staff and now teaches for various wine schools including the WSET London.

Leona is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers and has authored articles for various publications.Her translation work includes The World Atlas of Wine, American Wine, Natural Wine, Amber Revolution, and the WSET study materials. In addition to her love for wine, Leona is also a certified Tea Sommelier. Her training courses in wine and tea have been endorsed by the Institute of Hospitality in 2022.

Simon Field MW

Wine consultant, writer & ex-buyer for Berry Bros & Rudd

This is the second year of Simon judging at the Decanter Retailer Awards. He joined Berry Brothers & Rudd in 1998 and was with them for 20 years, having spent several misguided but lucrative years working as a chartered accountant in the City. During his time at BBR Simon was buying the Spanish and fortified ranges, and was also responsible for purchasing wines from Champagne, Languedoc-Roussillon, the Rhône Valley and the Loire Valley.He gained his Master of Wine qualification in October 2002 and in 2015 was admitted into the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino.

Simon now works as a freelance wine writer, contributing to a number of publications including The World of Fine Wine. He is also the Regional Chair of the UK at the Decanter World Wine Awards.