Miguel A. Torres, a "bedrock" of Chile's wine industry

Wine Enthusiast magazine annually acknowledges substantial accomplishments and prominent personages in wine, and this year’s Lifetime Achievement award is drawing the spotlight to Chile.

Miguel A. Torres of Bodegas Miguel Torres is a 2012 Wine Star Award Winner, recognized for being a “lifelong visionary who, early on, grasped the importance of exporting his family’s wines along with the ‘culture of wine,’” according to Wine Enthusiast.

The magazine focused on the theme of family traditions for the 2012 competition, tipping its hat to some of the world’s most fundamental and innovative wine families – the “bedrock that the wine industry rests on.”

The Torres family is one of the industry’s key “bedrock” families, having made wine in Europe for centuries before planting its first 100-hectare vineyard in Chile’s idyllic Curicó Valley in 1979.

Since that time, Miguel A. Torres has been an instrumental participant in the development and evolution of Chile as a major exporter and producer of fine wines – directly contributing to the country’s wildly expanding reputation and success.

Over three decades, Bodega Torres’ 100-hectare vineyard grew into a productive enterprise that now cultivates 445 hectares and performs as a leader in the export market, essentially acting as an ambassador for Chile and a messenger of the country’s terroir and budding potential.

Torres is also regarded as a pioneer of modernization in wine production, and his well-earned legacy thrives in Chile today through both traditional and revolutionary winemaking techniques, and products ranging from icon wines to organics.

“Miguel Torres has changed the world of wine by not only setting an example for the modernization of the Spanish wine industry, but on a global scale,” noted Wine Enthusiast publisher and editor Adam Straum.

The Wine Star Awards contest will be featured in Wine Enthusiast’s Best of the Year issue, which hits the stands and the web on December 13. Torres and other winners will also be honored at a special awards dinner in New York City on January 28.

“It is with great pride that we award this prestigious recognition to the leaders of an industry driving a great passion we all have—wine,” said Straum.

Congratulations Miguel A. Torres, a leader in Chilean wine!

Michael Cox, Wines of Chile European Director and Master of the Worshipful Company of Vintners

Wines of Chile European Director Michael Cox comes from a long line of wine professionals. In 1810, his great-great-great grandfather founded a successful wine importing business called Matthew Clark & Sons.

Now 202 years later, Cox has been chosen to serve as the Master of the Worshipful Company of Vintners, just as the society prepares to celebrate its 650th anniversary in a ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, which will include the Queen of England as a guest.

“It is a great honor and privilege for me to become the Master of such an ancient British institution,” says Cox. “I have always been someone who respects tradition and history and the part that Livery companies such as The Worshipful Company of Vintners have played in the development of the sort of country England is today.”

“It makes me feel very proud,” he continues, “that I can help to maintain and develop those important traditions and customs that help to define Britain.”

The Worshipful Company of Vintners began in London in 1363 as a Livery Company, governing the city’s wine trade and performing political and religious functions within Middle Age European society. The Company’s power and influence waxed and waned over the years according to the ideals of kings, queens and later Parliament.

In modern times, however, the society still maintains many of its old traditions, including the famous Swan Upping ceremony (which has been canceled for 2012 due to flooding of the River Thames).

As the newest Master, Cox intends to dedicate his one-year term to preserving the group’s historical legacy, ensuring that the Worshipful Company of Vintners remains “the spiritual home of the international wine trade” through ongoing charitable activities and facilitating key relationships in the industry.

“Whilst it is true that these days much of the day to day functions of the Livery companies are ceremonial,” explains Cox, “the true aims are more to do with raising money for charity and developing fraternity and goodwill amongst members of the company.”

Wine education is another priority of the Company of Vintners, and the group was integral in founding the esteemed Institute of Masters of Wine (together with Cox’s grandfather Michael Gordon-Cox), and the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, which provides quality training for professionals in the wine and spirits business.

The Worshipful Company of Vintners’ activities have consistently upheld these core principles for more than half of a millennium.

Cox reflects, “When I think that in the famous history of the Vintners’ Company, a history that spans over six centuries, and during which there have been Civil Wars, The Great Fire of London, two World Wars, and the growth of the City of London as one of the world’s great financial centers, I am truly honored to be one of only just over 500 people who have been Master in 650 years.”

“I would like to thank my friends and colleagues in the Chilean wine trade,” he continues, “for their understanding of this opportunity that I have been given, and for allowing me to work part time for Wines of Chile for the year ahead so that I can fulfill my duties and responsibilities as Master.”

Cox’s nine-year directorship of Wines of Chile in Europe has complemented 40 years of experience in United Kingdom’s wine trade, and his prestigious position will certainly bring attention to Chile’s growing presence in the global industry.

“I am pleased that Chile, and its wines, are being given greater exposure and prominence and status as a result of my appointment,” says Cox, who promises to “try to get more Chilean wines into the cellars of the great Livery Halls in London.”

“I served two excellent Chilean wines at the special lunch at Vintners’ Hall that followed the Installation ceremony – Casa Marin Sauvignon Gris 2011 and Errazuriz The Blend 2007.”

And it sounds like he’s already off to a good start.