FindWine finds wine critic

Online wine retailer FindWine has appointed its own wine reviewer and critic, after a nationwide search to unearth Britain’s next wine writing talent.

Winner Richard Saxton beat off competition from over 300 entrants to scoop the honour.

A lawyer by day, Saxton writes a blog – The Graped Crusader – and regular wine columns in Bullring Browse, Sommelier India and Smudge Magazine.

The appointment follows an online competition where entrants had to submit tasting notes and a review of FindWine’s The Opportunist Shiraz.

In order to enter, applicants had to round up five friends, get each of them to write a tasting note, then post the results on the FindWine Facebook page.

As part of his prize, Saxton will receive samples of every new wine added to the FindWine range over the next three months, and will be responsible for writing the tasting notes for the FindWine website, along with his own regular blog on the site.

“The response to the search for new wine writing talent was overwhelming, but it was Richard who really stood out,” said FindWine founder Mike Howes.

“His passion, wit and love of wine was a real draw, and his informal, approachable style of writing was a big hit with the panel of judges,” Howes added.

“I’m hugely excited to have been chosen as the inaugural FindWine wine critic and can’t wait to slurp my way through the range and post my reviews on the site,” said Saxton.

A new wine writer will replace Saxton in June, when his three-month tenure comes to an end, in order to keep the format fresh.

Lucy Shaw, 18.04.2011