John M.
Master Wine Judge
Treasurer for BC Guild of Wine Judges (Main Treasury) since 2012
Treasurer for BC Guild of Wine Judges (Mainland Chapter) since 2019
Member since 2001
What is your most memorable wine or wine and food experience?
I have fond memories of being in a remote part of New Zealand and enjoying a delicious Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, while on a great holiday with good friends Ken and Joan Fowler.
What wines have you always wanted to try but haven’t? What is your favorite vineyard? Region?
There are several wines that I would like to try but have not, simply because I am unwilling to pay the high prices required to get my hands on them. The wines I do purchase and enjoy come from my two favourite wine regions, Australia and New Zealand. I enjoy the Shiraz and Chardonnay wines offered by Australia and New Zealand offers my favourite white wine, Sauvignon Blanc.
What event or experience started your journey in wine?
My interest in wine judging began around 1997 when I was stewarding for Frank Clark (wine judge) at a local wine competition. There was no official training program for judging available at that time. There had not been an official training program since 1978. In the year 2000, an official training program was revived, and I became qualified in 2001. The wine judge training course (offered then and currently) and the fellowship at the monthly Guild maintenance and training sessions was and is something special. Currently, at my advanced age, I continue to attend these sessions regularly specifically for the camaraderie.