with correspondents in Japan, Russia, USA, Sweden; edited by Simon Palmer

There are a number of competitions in spring and between April and May I judged at the " Concours des vieilles eaux de vie de Grande Champagne " in Segonzac which for the past two years also includes a section for commercial products, the Brussels Spirits Awards and the International Spirits Challenge in London for both of which I am Jury President.

The medals:
Segonzac, barrel samples aged from 10 to 15 years: 1st Gérard Bastit, 2nd Jacky Tricoire, 3rd Michel Marcadier, 4th Raymond Desse, 5th Michel Raby
VSOP: Gold Henri Geffard, Silver Pierre Serplet, Bronze Roger Blanleuil.

Brussels, Grand Gold: Famille Estève Très Vieille Petite Fine Champagne, Silver: Château de Beaulon VSOP, Landy XO No 1

London, the results are to be published in July but participants at the London Wine Fair may have had the odd echo.

20 June 2002