Adventures in the Wine Trade: Diary of a Vintners' Scholar | Ben Howkings
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  • Adventures in the Wine Trade: Diary of a Vintners' Scholar | Ben Howkings
  • Adventures in the Wine Trade: Diary of a Vintners' Scholar | Ben Howkings

Adventures in the Wine Trade: Diary of a Vintners' Scholar | Ben Howkings

Academie du Vin Library

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‘A charming, entertaining, and illuminating read – not only for all those in or around the wine trade, but also for all those outside who want to see in to what makes it so special.’
Neil Beckett, Editor of World of Fine Wine

‘I never quite understood what Ben did, but he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.’
Simon Berry, past Chairman of Berry Bros. & Rudd

‘Ben and I have been friends and adventurers since the late ’60s, although I fancy his adventures were a touch safer and more comfortable than mine.’
Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE, Explorer

 ‘A journey through the complex and highly enviable life of a top-seed wine merchant of the old school.’
Hugh Johnson

Author
Ben Howkins
Language
English 🇬🇧
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Description

Ben Howkins grew up in rural Northamptonshire, spent a year studying at the prestigious American college Amherst at the behest of his influential stepmother, then returned home to begin his working life at the local Phipps Brewery. But then, more by luck than judgement, he was awarded a coveted Scholarship by the Worshipful Company of Vintners — and so began a 60-year rollercoaster journey through the world of fine wine.

Quickly discovering that a knowledge of wine opened doors that were closed to lesser mortals, Ben had a front row seat as the wine trade grew from an elitist and rather amateurish profession into a multimillion-dollar global business. This is the story of how it happened, and of the many remarkable characters he befriended along the way – people whose marketing genius was matched only by their desire to put a smile on everyone’s faces. In true vinous style, Ben’s book is sure to do the same.

  • Plumbing the depths: Ben’s valiant attempts to sell wine to beer-loving miners, which involved actually joining them at the coal face.
  • Englishman abroad: a jolly jaunt through French châteaux, Spanish bodegas, and Portuguese quintas, where Ben forged many of the friendships that would last a lifetime.
  • Serious business: Ben’s career takes off during the golden age of wine and spirits marketing, when he played a part in bringing many of the world-famous brands we know and love today into being.
  • To the manor born: Ben joins Lord Rothschild to help transform Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire, into one of the premier showcases for fine wine in the Western world.
  • Mad world: Ben teams up with Hugh Johnson to revive the fortunes of Hungary’s fabled Tokaji wines and embarks on a series of star-studded adventures that span the globe, from Shanghai to Hollywood.

Details

9781913141455

Data sheet

Author
Ben Howkins
Language
English 🇬🇧
Publisher
Academy of the Wine Library
Number of pages
224
Size:
16 x 22 cm
Date of publication
November 2023