Caballeros honour Brindisa and Berry Bros

Two new members have been inducted into the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino in recognition of their “outstanding contribution” to the Spanish wine industry.

Simon Field MW, Berry Bros & Rudd’s Spanish wine buyer and Monika Linton, founder of Spanish tapas bar chain Brindisa were inducted at the Order’s annual dinner in London this week,

Established in 1984, the Gran Orden recognises those who have “acted over and above the call of duty” in their promotion of Spanish wines.

Born in Africa, Linton’s passion for Spain was ignited while studying Spanish and Latin American studies at UCL.

After graduating, she spent three years working as a commis chef in Catalonia before returning to the UK to launch Brindisa in 1988 as a wholesaler of Spanish produce.

Linton opened her first restaurant in Borough Market in 2004 – one of the first of a new wave of tapas bars in London, which has spawned many imitators.

In addition to the Borough Market original, which also boasts a shop selling Spanish food and wine, there are Brindisa sites in South Kensington, Soho and Shoreditch, with a fifth restaurant to follow this year.

Brindisa’s legendary £3.75 chorizo roll was voted London’s best cheap eat in a 100-strong list by Time Out this week.

Oxford graduate Simon Field MW fell in love with wine while working in Paris. Cutting his teeth at Oddbins, Field went on to work for Berry Bros, where he remains to this day, looking after Spain and the Rhône among other regions.

Field has expanded the merchant’s Spain range to reflect the diversity and value for money of the wines made across the country. In the last five years, BBR”s Spanish range has doubled in size and has achieved double digit sales growth each year.

There are now 73 members of the Gran Orden de Caballeros from both Spain and the UK.