Andrew Jefford
Encyclopedia
Andrew Jefford is an English journalist
, radio
presenter, poet
, magazine editor, and as a wine
writer, the author of various books and columns.
clergyman and the eldest of three brothers, Jefford grew up in Norfolk
, England
. He was educated at Gresham's School
, the University of Reading
(where he read English) and the University of East Anglia
, where his post-graduate studies were jointly supervised by the late Sir Malcolm Bradbury
and Guido Almansi. At UEA he worked for two years on a PhD
thesis on the short fiction of Robert Louis Stevenson
, which was not completed.
with Paul Hamlyn
's Octopus Group, and his passions for wine and writing led to articles and books on wine, after four years in publishing in 1988. He was the drinks writer for The Evening Standard, the evening newspaper for the London region, between 1992 and 2002, occasionally presents The Food Programme on BBC Radio 4
, and writes a bi-monthly column for Decanter
. Jefford is also contributing editor to the magazine The World of Fine Wine
.
Among his books are The New France (2002), about which Jefford has stated, "..[my theme is] the championing of individuals rather than multi-nationals, of families rather than corporate shareholders, of agriculture rather than industry, of authenticity of origin rather than marketing stratagems".
On television, he has worked as a chef's assistant and has reported on whisky for Food File (Channel Four, 1996) and SCAM (Carlton Television
, 2003)
He has won eight Glenfiddich Awards
, has twice been named British Beer Writer of the Year, and was named Communicator of the Year in the 2001 International Wine and Spirit Competition.
Jefford lives in Tunbridge Wells, Kent
. He is also a published poet, with work featured in The Spectator
and The Independent
.
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
presenter, poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, magazine editor, and as a wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
writer, the author of various books and columns.
Education
The son of a Church of EnglandChurch of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
clergyman and the eldest of three brothers, Jefford grew up in Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He was educated at Gresham's School
Gresham's School
Gresham’s School is an independent coeducational boarding school in Holt in North Norfolk, England, a member of the HMC.The school was founded in 1555 by Sir John Gresham as a free grammar school for forty boys, following King Henry VIII's dissolution of the Augustinian priory at Beeston Regis...
, the University of Reading
University of Reading
The University of Reading is a university in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. The University was established in 1892 as University College, Reading and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It is based on several campuses in, and around, the town of Reading.The University has a long tradition...
(where he read English) and the University of East Anglia
University of East Anglia
The University of East Anglia is a public research university based in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was established in 1963, and is a founder-member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.-History:...
, where his post-graduate studies were jointly supervised by the late Sir Malcolm Bradbury
Malcolm Bradbury
Sir Malcolm Stanley Bradbury CBE was an English author and academic.-Life:Bradbury was the son of a railwayman. His family moved to London in 1935, but returned to Sheffield in 1941 with his brother and mother...
and Guido Almansi. At UEA he worked for two years on a PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
thesis on the short fiction of Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
, which was not completed.
Career
He began work as an editorEditing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
with Paul Hamlyn
Paul Hamlyn
Paul Hamlyn, Baron Hamlyn of Edgeworth, CBE , was a German-born British publisher and philanthropist.-Family:...
's Octopus Group, and his passions for wine and writing led to articles and books on wine, after four years in publishing in 1988. He was the drinks writer for The Evening Standard, the evening newspaper for the London region, between 1992 and 2002, occasionally presents The Food Programme on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
, and writes a bi-monthly column for Decanter
Decanter (magazine)
Decanter is an up market magazine on wine and spirits, published in over 90 countries on a monthly basis. The magazine content includes news from the industry, vintage guides and wine recommendations. Decanter organizes the annual Decanter World Wine Awards.-Wine Ratings:Decanter employs a 1 to 5...
. Jefford is also contributing editor to the magazine The World of Fine Wine
The World of Fine Wine
The World of Fine Wine, abbreviated WFW, is a British quarterly publication for wine enthusiasts and collectors. Published by Quarto Magazines Ltd, the first issue was released in June 2004. It has been described as "an up-market Decanter, with longer, more in-depth features, more credible tastings...
.
Among his books are The New France (2002), about which Jefford has stated, "..[my theme is] the championing of individuals rather than multi-nationals, of families rather than corporate shareholders, of agriculture rather than industry, of authenticity of origin rather than marketing stratagems".
On television, he has worked as a chef's assistant and has reported on whisky for Food File (Channel Four, 1996) and SCAM (Carlton Television
Carlton Television
Carlton Television was the ITV franchise holder for London and the surrounding counties including the cities of Solihull and Coventry of the West Midlands, south Suffolk, middle and east Hampshire, Oxfordshire, south Bedfordshire, south Northamptonshire, parts of Herefordshire & Worcestershire,...
, 2003)
He has won eight Glenfiddich Awards
Glenfiddich Food and Drink Awards
The Glenfiddich Food and Drink Awards were intended to recognize achievements in writing, publishing and broadcasting on the subjects of food and drink...
, has twice been named British Beer Writer of the Year, and was named Communicator of the Year in the 2001 International Wine and Spirit Competition.
Jefford lives in Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
. He is also a published poet, with work featured in The Spectator
The Spectator
The Spectator is a weekly British magazine first published on 6 July 1828. It is currently owned by David and Frederick Barclay, who also owns The Daily Telegraph. Its principal subject areas are politics and culture...
and The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
.
Awards and honours
- Bunch Award for Wine Journalism 1994
- Glenfiddich AwardGlenfiddich Food and Drink AwardsThe Glenfiddich Food and Drink Awards were intended to recognize achievements in writing, publishing and broadcasting on the subjects of food and drink...
1995 Drink Writer of the Year - Glenfiddich Award 1995 Whisky Writer of the Year
- Wine Guild of Great Britain 1995 (Premier Award)
- British Guild of Beer Writers 1995 Beer Writer of the Year
- Sony Bronze Award 1996 (for BBC Liquid Companion)
- Glenfiddich Award 1997 Wine Writer of the Year
- Lanson Award 1999 (Broadcast Media, for BBC Food Programme)
- British Guild of Beer Writers 1999 Beer Writer of the Year
- Glenfiddich Award 2000 Drink Writer of the Year
- Lanson Award 2000 (Broadcast Media, for BBC Food Programme and Nature's Alchemists)
- International Wine and Spirit Competition 2001 Communicator of the Year
- Glenfiddich Award 2001 Radio Broadcast of the Year (for BBC Food Programme on cork)
- Glenfiddich Award 2002 Wine Writer of the Year
- Lanson Award 2002 (Broadcast Media, for BBC Liquid Companion)
- Lanson Award 2003 (Wine Book of the Year, for The New France)
- APA Magazine Awards 2003 (Journalist of the Year)
- Glenfiddich Award 2003 Drink Writer of the Year
- Glenfiddich Award 2003 Wine Writer of the Year
- Glenfiddich Award 2003 Glenfiddich Trophy
- Veuve Clicquot USA Award 2003 (Wine Book of the Year, for The New France)
- André Simon Award 2003 (for The New France)
- Symington Family Port Award 2003
- World Food Media Award 2005 (Best Drink Journalist)
- Louis Roederer ChampagneLouis RoedererLouis Roederer is a producer of champagne based in Reims, France. Founded in 1776, it was inherited and renamed by Louis Roederer in 1833, and is noted as the producer of the luxury champagne Cristal.-History:...
International Wine Writer of the Year 2006 - ATOP Travel Writer of the Year 2006
- Louis Roederer Champagne International Wine Writer of the Year 2007