Tim Atkin
Encyclopedia
Tim Atkin is a British
Master of Wine
, and wine correspondent of several publications.
, Observer Food Monthly, Off Licence News, Woman and Home, The World of Fine Wine
, The Economist
. Between 2000 and 2003 Atkin was editor of Harpers Wine and Spirit Magazine. On television, he has appeared as a presenter on BBC One
's Saturday Kitchen and the wine series, Grape Expectations on the Carlton Food Network
.
In addition to his work as a wine critic and correspondent, Atkin held the "Ask Tim" column in The Observer, conducts interviews (such as the account of the wine interests of David Ginola
), frequently acts as a wine tasting judge and is a chairperson of the International Wine Challenge
.
During the course of five years Atkin co-authored the annual consumer guide Grapevine with Anthony Rose
, and has written the books Chardonnay and Vins de Pays d'Oc. In September 2008 Atkin was also one of five UK wine writers, along with Anthony Rose, Tom Cannavan
, Joanna Simon
and Olly Smith
, to launch an online wine ratings magazine for the UK called The Wine Gang. In November 2010, Atkin's departure from the site was announced.
In February 2010 it was reported that Atkin's weekly Sunday column in The Observer would be reduced to two or three wine recommendations. Atkin responded with the statement, "I am sad that The Observer has decided to reduce the scope of its wine coverage at a time when people need reliable advice more than ever. I will miss the challenge of writing what was (I hope) an engaging, informed and entertaining piece each week". The change took place during a period that followed the end of the wine columns of Joanna Simon in The Sunday Times
, Richard Ehrlich in The Independent on Sunday
, and in the U.S., Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher
in The Wall Street Journal
. Atkin would continue to be published in the colour magazine Observer Food Monthly, while a Facebook
group titled "Save the Wine Column" in protest to the Atkin cut quickly amassed considerable support. Ultimately Atkin discontinued his work with The Observer and announced he would be joining a new weekly food and drink section of The Times
beginning in March 2010.
Atkin holds a BA from Durham University
in Modern Languages and a Masters degree from the London School of Economics
in European Studies. He became a Master of Wine in 2001, winning the Robert Mondavi Award for the best theory examination. He is a Caballero del Vino, a Chevalier du Tastevin and a member of the Ordre du Bontemps.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Master of Wine
Master of Wine
Master of Wine is a qualification issued by The Institute of Masters of Wine in the United Kingdom...
, and wine correspondent of several publications.
Career
Atkin has published columns in The ObserverThe Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
, Observer Food Monthly, Off Licence News, Woman and Home, 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...
, The Economist
The Economist
The Economist is an English-language weekly news and international affairs publication owned by The Economist Newspaper Ltd. and edited in offices in the City of Westminster, London, England. Continuous publication began under founder James Wilson in September 1843...
. Between 2000 and 2003 Atkin was editor of Harpers Wine and Spirit Magazine. On television, he has appeared as a presenter on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
's Saturday Kitchen and the wine series, Grape Expectations on the Carlton Food Network
Carlton Food Network
Carlton Food Network was a British digital television channel, provided by Carlton Television, showing food and cookery programmes. It launched in September 1996, and closed in November 2001...
.
In addition to his work as a wine critic and correspondent, Atkin held the "Ask Tim" column in The Observer, conducts interviews (such as the account of the wine interests of David Ginola
David Ginola
David Karl Ginola is a French former international football player who has also worked as an actor and model.Ginola was born in Gassin, Var...
), frequently acts as a wine tasting judge and is a chairperson of the International Wine Challenge
International Wine Challenge
The International Wine Challenge is an annual wine competition. The International Wine Challenge assesses every wine blind and judges each for its faithfulness to variety, region and vintage. Every wine is assessed independently of its price...
.
During the course of five years Atkin co-authored the annual consumer guide Grapevine with Anthony Rose
Anthony Rose
Anthony Rose is a British wine journalist known for his column in The Independent. He also contributes to publications such as Wine & Spirit, Decanter and The World of Fine Wine...
, and has written the books Chardonnay and Vins de Pays d'Oc. In September 2008 Atkin was also one of five UK wine writers, along with Anthony Rose, Tom Cannavan
Tom Cannavan
Tom Cannavan is a Scottish author and a wine journalist. He is considered a pioneer presence on internet of the British wine writing establishment.-Biography:...
, Joanna Simon
Joanna Simon (wine)
Joanna Simon is a British author and wine journalist known for her column in The Sunday Times from 1987 to 2009. She has also columns in Style Magazine, has previously worked as editor of the consumer magazine Wine and Wine & Spirit, occasionally contributes to publications such as Wine & Spirit,...
and Olly Smith
Olly Smith
Olly Smith is a TV presenter, wine expert and newspaper columnist. He is the presenter of The Secret Supper Club for Channel 4, Iron Chef UK for Channel 4 and regularly appears on BBC1's Saturday Kitchen, BBC Breakfast, Great Food Live, Food Uncut "Fern" and Taste, and formerly presented the...
, to launch an online wine ratings magazine for the UK called The Wine Gang. In November 2010, Atkin's departure from the site was announced.
In February 2010 it was reported that Atkin's weekly Sunday column in The Observer would be reduced to two or three wine recommendations. Atkin responded with the statement, "I am sad that The Observer has decided to reduce the scope of its wine coverage at a time when people need reliable advice more than ever. I will miss the challenge of writing what was (I hope) an engaging, informed and entertaining piece each week". The change took place during a period that followed the end of the wine columns of Joanna Simon in The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times is a British Sunday newspaper.The Sunday Times may also refer to:*The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times...
, Richard Ehrlich in The Independent on Sunday
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...
, and in the U.S., Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher
Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher
Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher are American journalists, authors and wine critics, wife and husband who jointly wrote a wine column in The Wall Street Journal titled "Tastings" between 1998-2009. They rated wines on a scale that ranges from "Yech", "OK", "Good", "Very Good", "Delicious" to...
in The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal is an American English-language international daily newspaper. It is published in New York City by Dow Jones & Company, a division of News Corporation, along with the Asian and European editions of the Journal....
. Atkin would continue to be published in the colour magazine Observer Food Monthly, while a Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
group titled "Save the Wine Column" in protest to the Atkin cut quickly amassed considerable support. Ultimately Atkin discontinued his work with The Observer and announced he would be joining a new weekly food and drink section of The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
beginning in March 2010.
Atkin holds a BA from Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
in Modern Languages and a Masters degree from the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
in European Studies. He became a Master of Wine in 2001, winning the Robert Mondavi Award for the best theory examination. He is a Caballero del Vino, a Chevalier du Tastevin and a member of the Ordre du Bontemps.
Awards
- 1988, 1990, 1993, 2004, 2006: Glenfiddich Wine Writer of the Year
- 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996: UK Wine Guild Wine Correspondent of the Year
- 1994: Wines of France Award
- 1995: The Bunch Award for Wine Journalism
- 1995: Waterford Crystal Wine Correspondent of the Year
- 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004: Lanson Black Label Award
- 2005: Wines of Portugal Award
- 2007: International Wine & Spirit Communicator of the Year
- 2007: World Food Media Awards Best Drink Journalist
- 2009: Louis Roederer International Wine Columnist of the Year