At the 46th annual André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards, a record-breaking number of submissions were received, with over 160 books vying for top honors. Chair Nick Lander outlined the judging criteria for the prestigious awards, emphasizing that the books must demonstrate a significant amount of original research, possess enduring educational value, be an enjoyable read, and be well-produced.
Drink Award Winner: “The Australian Ark”
The coveted Drink Award was awarded to Andrew Caillard for The Australian Ark—a monumental three-volume collection chronicling the history of Australian wine. Covering key figures, pivotal events, and the evolution of the industry from the first settlement in 1788 to the present day, the work is hailed as the most extensive history of Australian wine ever written.
Caillard, a Master of Wine and renowned wine auctioneer, dedicated 17 years to the project. The book has been published in paperback, hardback, and limited-edition leather-bound formats.
Reflecting on his journey, Caillard said, “The Australian Ark was like falling into a forgotten world. The deeper I delved into Australia’s wine story, the more captivated I became. It’s an incredible adventure filled with imagination, daring, and monumental achievements.”
Dawn Davies MW, a wine buyer and former sommelier who judged the Drink Award entries, described The Australian Ark as “phenomenal” and praised its depth and historical richness. “It’s nothing short of a masterpiece, a book that will be revisited time and time again,” she added.
A Once-in-a-Generation Work
Angus Hughson, one of the book’s publishers, expressed his excitement about publishing Caillard’s work. “Very few people have Andrew’s experience, and he writes with such elegance. This is the culmination of a lifetime’s work—an extraordinary, once-in-a-generation book,” Hughson said.
The publishing project faced considerable financial challenges, with production costs exceeding $1.2 million. However, thanks to generous donations from Australian wine producers and fine wine collectors, the project was made possible. “Within a week of Andrew sending his first emails, A$200,000 had been pledged, and we eventually raised A$600,000 for this endeavor,” Hughson explained.
Despite the high costs, Hughson emphasized the importance of printing the book in Australia, even though it could have been done more cheaply abroad. “We used the highest-quality paper stock and carefully selected 1,200 images from an initial 20,000,” he said.
Caillard, writing from Australia, expressed his gratitude: “Winning the André Simon Award is an incredible honor, recognizing The Australian Ark as a work of lasting value. It’s a result of 17 years of effort and the incredible support of my editorial team, family, friends, and the Australian wine community.”
Shortlisted Entries for the Drink Award
Other notable books shortlisted for the Drink Award included One Thousand Vines by Pascaline Lepeltier and The Martini by Alice Lascelles.
Lepeltier, a French-born sommelier based in New York, explores the wine world in One Thousand Vines. The book is divided into three parts—Reading Vines, Reading Landscapes, and Reading Wines—challenging traditional views on the grape-growing and winemaking process. Wine Assessor Davies commented that the book would have been invaluable during her own Master of Wine studies.
Food Award Winner: “SIFT: The Art of Great Baking”
The Food Award was awarded to Nicola Lamb for SIFT: The Art of Great Baking. Trained in top bakeries in London and New York, Lamb offers an insightful guide to becoming a better baker. Lennie Ware, the Food Assessor for the awards, praised the book for its combination of technical excellence and accessibility. “It’s an innovative and original work, with fantastic recipes that are easy to follow, making it a triumph in baking science,” said Ware.
Other Award Winners
In addition to the Drink and Food Awards, the John Avery Award went to Ned Palmer for A Cheesemonger’s Tour de France, and the Special Commendation Award was presented to Adam Wells for Perry: A Drinker’s Guide.
The 46th André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards celebrated the outstanding contributions to the world of food and drink literature, honoring works that combine depth, research, and passion.
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