The Wine Competition 1969-1987

<body> <div align="center"> <table width="816" height="60" border="0"> <tr> <td width="810"><p align="justify" class="style12"><span class="style23">Due<a name="Home"></a> to the fact that some data published in recent years by the IWSC varies from my recollection I quote sources to substantiate my deliberations.</span><em><br> </em></p> <p align="justify" class="style8"><span class="style9">1969</span><a name="1969"></a><br> As an extension to the activities of Club Oenologique Ltd., a wine appreciation club and subsidiary of A. Massel & Co. Ltd., I organised a trial run of the International Wine and Spirit Competition. I analysed the entries to ensure that all the products were sound and stable before they were evaluated by our members. It was an interesting exercise and encouraged us to continue the following year.</p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style8"><span class="style9">1970</span><a name="1970"></a><br> The first official International Wine and Spirit Competition was launched with invitations to producers around the globe to take part. As always my laboratory analysed the wines and spirits. Professional and lay judges took part in assessing the entries and prizes were awarded in accordance with their merit. The competition was a resounding success and consequently the quest for the best wines and spirits continued in successive years. What impressed the producers was the fact that their wines and spirits were not just tasted but also professionally analysed. The main support came from wine makers abroad.</p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style8"><span class="style9">1971</span><a name="1971"></a><br> The number of entries increased and the successful products were discussed and publicised in John Baker's book ‘The Paragon of Wines & Spirits'. Apart from John Baker and myself the contributors were Christopher M. Stephens, Hector W. King, Robert J. Horowitz, Warren Everett, Mark Russell and Gerard Casey. The book was sponsored by Club Oenologique Ltd.</p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style8"><span class="style9">1969 to 1973</span><a name="1973"></a><br> I presided over the award presentations. I became a British subject in 1968 and my sponsor was Major-General Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones GCVO, CMG, CBE, MC.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">In the second volume of The Paragon of Wines & Spirits, Mark Russell described the winning wines and spirits that have won prices in the 1972 IWSC with detailed background stories of the estates and their owners. The contributors were Lord Mancroft K.B.E., T.D., Dr. Max Lake, F.R.C.S., F.R. C.S.E., Cyril Ray, John Vaughan-Hughes, Robert Dale, Julian Jeffs QC, Sir Reginald Bennett, V.R.D., MP. Sir Trevor Lloyd-Hughes, Graham Barrett, Kenneth C. Binstead, W.G.Vine, Jack Ward, F. Paul, S. Sclar, Harry G. Serlis and Rupert Denny. The book was again sponsored by Club Oenologique Ltd.</p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style8"><span class="style9">1974</span><a name="1974"></a><br> <span class="style26">The Hon. President was Count Richard Matuschka-Greiffenclau (Germany). </span></p> <p align="justify" class="style8">Count Matuschka-Greiffenclau was the proprietor of the famous Schloss Vollrads in the Rheingau where some of the world's best Riesling wines are produced. The award tasting and luncheon was held at Quaglino's in London and our guest of honour was the Home Secretary, The Rt. Hon. Reginald Maudling. </p> <p align="center" class="style7"><img src="images/Table1a.JPG" width="600" height="454"></p> <p align="justify" class="style12">The top table: Clockwise: The Home Secretary Reginald Maudling, Countess Matuschka-Greiffenclau, Anton Massel, Mrs. Beryl Maudling, Count Richard Matuschka-Greiffenclau, Mrs. Betty Ward, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, Mrs. Frances Tyson Woodcock, Dr. Reginald Bennett MP and Mrs. Annamaria Massel. </p> <table width="784" height="199" border="0" cellspacing="20"> <tr> <td width="400" height="111"><img src="images/Speaker1.JPG" width="400" height="296"></td> <td width="341"><img src="images/Reginald1a.JPG" width="320" height="412"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="style12">Count Richard Matuschka-Greiffenclau addressing the guests</span></td> <td><span class="style12">Anton Massel presenting the Club Oenologique insignia to the Home Secretary Reginald Maudling</span></td> </tr> </table> <p align="justify" class="style8">My secretary, Mrs. Gillian Slade, did a splendid job organising everything so that I could attend to our guests. The event was a huge success. Building on this experience I decided to invite each year a trade or public personality to preside over the IWSC as Hon. Presidents. This tradition continues to this day, the IWSC's 40th anniversary.</p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style8"><span class="style9">1975</span><a name="1975"></a><br> <span class="style26">The Hon. President was Lord (Edward) Montagu of Beaulieu (UK). </span></p> <table width="756" height="493" border="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td width="326" height="493"><p align="justify" class="style8">1975 was a highly successful competition and the prizes were presented by the actress Susan Hampshire at London's Cafe Royal during a tasting of the competition winners.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">In order to brief Susan Hampshire for the presentation of the prizes Sir Humphrey Edwardes Jones and I invited her to a dinner in London. We found her very easy to communicate with and she certainly added a touch of glamour to the proceeding at the Cafe Royal. </p> <p class="style8"> </p> <p class="style8"> </p> <p class="style8"><img src="images/Susan_text.JPG" width="393" height="128"></p> </td> <td width="420"><div align="center"> <p><img src="images/Susan2.JPG" width="391" height="472"></p> </div></td> </tr> </table> <p align="justify" class="style8">Kathleen Bourke, editor of Wine Magazine, addressed the meeting as guest speaker:</p> <p align="justify" class="style8 style24"><em>‘A Tribute to the INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION' </em></p> <p align="justify" class="style25"><em>For centuries England held a special place in the world of wine. You would think that a country that in past centuries produced little or no wine would keep quiet about the subject. Not so. Modestly, unassumingly, we undertook from the beginning to teach our grandmothers to suck eggs, or at least to sip wine, confident that we knew. Actually, we did. Our wine merchants travelled, and still do, far and wide to bring to our shores the best wines from all wine producing districts of the world. Indeed in many instances, with that same modesty, these merchants invented the wine – whoever heard of the Portuguese producing, let alone drinking Port until our merchants persuaded them to make the wine and helped them develop their trade? The English love of claret and hock played a big part in the development of those wines in Bordeaux and the Rhineland. </em></p> <p align="justify" class="style25"><em>The palate of English consumers and the expertise and skills, the enterprise of our merchants made the seal of approval of the English a highly desirable thing. As a mighty Empire, the English could be somewhat autocratic: today, as a small compact nation, we can yet keep our standards and indeed we do. We are still a great entrepôt for the world-wide wine trade, witness the unique London wine auctions to which the best wines flow from every part of the country and from which they are dispatched to every part of the globe. Anton Massel, whom I have known for many years and respected for his knowledge, his enterprise and his exceeding hard work, is today contributing notably to this International fame of ours. For many years, as founder and director of the Club Oenologique he has worked to keep the International lines open. </em></p> <p align="justify" class="style25"><em>But as Anton's most important achievement has undoubted been the gradual involvement of Club Oenologique yearly event, The International Competition for Wines and Spirits. This now attracts entries from all over the world from producers who wish for the label of Quality and compete for the various gold and silver medals awarded by the Panel of Judges. </em></p> <p align="justify" class="style25"><em>It is the 1975 event that we are celebrating today, and the award of medals to countries as far apart as South Africa and France, Germany and Trinidad, the United States and Spain, to mention but a few. Anton has undoubtedly added a further dimension to England's status as the focal point of the world of wine. </em></p> <p align="justify" class="style25"><em>And I have said nothing about Anton himself, a very charming and modest man. So on behalf of all your guests today, I would like to say Thank You, Anton, for continuing your good work of showing the world that London is the very heart of the world of wine, and the English judgement and the English palate still provide the touchstone of ultimate approval. </em></p> <p align="justify" class="style8 style28">(Source: 1975 award winners booklet)</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">Also in 1975 Air Marshal Sir Humphrey Edwardes Jones, KCB., CBE., DFC., AFE, a long standing member of Club Oenologique, kindly accepted my invitation to become a Director of Club Oenologique Ltd. This proved to be a happy and long lasting relationship. </p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style8"><span class="style9">1976</span><a name="1976"></a><br> <span class="style26">The Hon. President was Air Marshal Sir Humphrey Edwardes Jones (UK). </span></p> <p align="justify" class="style8">After his distinguished service in the Royal Air Force, Sir Humphrey was keenly interested in wine, to the point of contemplating planting his own vineyard. This project was not viable on the heavy clay soil on his grounds in Kent and instead, as director and now Hon. President, he helped me to promote the International Wine and Spirit Competition.</p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style8"><span class="style9">1977</span><a name="1977"></a><br> <span class="style26">The President was Lord Montagu of Beaulieu (UK). </span></p> <p align="justify" class="style8">The IWSC brochures record Lord Montagu for the second time. This was not our general practice and I can't recall where the awards were presented. </p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style8"><span class="style9">1978</span><a name="1978"></a><br> <span class="style26">The Hon. President was Sir. Reginald Bennett VRD, MP (UK). </span></p> <p align="justify" class="style8">As Chairman of the House of Commons Catering Committee, Sir Reginald restocked the MPs wine cellar and became, naturally, interested in the IWSC. He attended as our guest the award presentation luncheon at Quaglino's in London in 1974 and was clearly in the best possible position to help us organise, for the first time, our award presentation banquet in the Palace of Westminster. Dining in the House of Commons MP’s dining room was a unique experience for our prize winners, especially our foreign supporters. We were able to use this venue on many occasions in later years.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">Although the competitions have always been organised as The International Wine & Spirit Competition under the auspices of Club Oenologique Ltd. we decided to change the name of the company officially to The International Wine & Spirit Competition Ltd. The new name was registered on 14th April 1978 (1) and Sir Humphrey Edwardes Jones became our chairman.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">With the intention to further develop the already successful competition we decided also to attend the newly launched Bristol World Wine Fair where we met many old friends and made new ones. The IWSC stand was modest and was just manned by myself and my secretary with the occasional help from some of our members.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">On this occasion I also met Bryan Hope (2) who was then chairman of IPC, the owners of Wine Fairs & Promotions. Peter Noble was involved in the wine fair and became interested. I have known for some time Samuel Alper, a well known English wine grower, a hotel owner, chairman of Caravan International Ltd. and thus an experienced business man. He too agreed to join us and he introduced Peter Duff, a fellow director in Caravan International. After several informal meetings I arranged for us all to meet in our offices at Ockley, Surrey and we decided to work together. The responsibilities of the new board of directors and the possible shareholding (5,000 GBP 1 shares at par), to be acquired from A. Massel & Co. Ltd., were agreed as follows:</p> <div align="justify" class="style7"> <div align="center"> <table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"> <tr class="style8"> <td width="414" valign="top"><div align="left" class="style22">Air Marshal Sir Humphrey Edwardes Jones (Chairman) </div></td> <td width="102" valign="top"><div align="center" class="style22">10% </div></td> </tr> <tr class="style8"> <td width="414" valign="top"><div align="left" class="style22">Anton Massel (Managing Director) </div></td> <td width="102" valign="top"><div align="center" class="style22">20% </div></td> </tr> <tr class="style8"> <td width="414" valign="top"><div align="left" class="style22">Bryan Hope (Publicity) </div></td> <td width="102" valign="top"><div align="center" class="style22">20% </div></td> </tr> <tr class="style8"> <td width="414" valign="top"><div align="left" class="style22">Peter Duff (Banquets) </div></td> <td width="102" valign="top"><div align="center" class="style22">20% </div></td> </tr> <tr class="style8"> <td width="414" valign="top"><div align="left" class="style22">Peter S.F. Noble (PR) </div></td> <td width="102" valign="top"><div align="center" class="style22">10% </div></td> </tr> <tr class="style8"> <td width="414" valign="top"><div align="left" class="style22">Samuel Alper (non-executive) </div></td> <td width="102" valign="top"><div align="center" class="style22">20% </div></td> </tr> </table> </div> </div> <p align="justify" class="style8">With the ever increasing number of entries the IWSC was self financing and the new directors did not provide additional funds nor did anyone else. The share transfers were not completed until 1981 (4) (5) (6).</p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style8"><span class="style9">1979</span><a name="1979"></a><br> <span class="style26">The Hon. President was Peter S.F. Noble, CBE (UK). </span></p> <p align="justify" class="style8">The Banquet, held at the Grand Hotel Bristol, was very special with a Scottish piper leading the bearers of the Roast Baron of Angus Beef. This especially impressed our foreign guests. Our Chairman, Sir Humphrey Edwards Jones welcomed the guests and our Hon. President proposed the Toasts with the Lord Mayor of Bristol responding.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">To present the full results list of winners I organised a press reception at my home in Hindhead, Surrey, which was also attended by many prominent members of the wine trade. A few are featured on the cover page of the 1979 competition award winners booklet. </p> <p align="center" class="style7"> <img src="images/GroupBW1.JPG" width="700" height="361"></p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style8"><span class="style9">1980</span><a name="1980"></a><br> <span class="style26">The Hon. President was Cyril Ray (UK). </span></p> <p align="justify" class="style8">Cyril Ray was the doyen of the UK wine writers with numerous books on wine to his credit. Of particular interest to us was the book ‘Robert Mondavi of the Napa Valley'. This autobiography of Robert Mondavi, who became our President in 1983, gives a perfect portrait of this great winemaker. </p> <p align="justify" class="style8">As part of the opening ceremony of the now even more popular Bristol World Wine Fair the prizes were presented in Bristol by Hugh Johnson of ‘The World Atlas of Wine’ fame. Susan Hampshire came again to support us and added flair to the proceedings.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">For the first time a number of Trophies were sponsored and these were presented by our Hon. President, Cyril Ray:</p> <div align="justify" class="style7"> <div align="center"> <table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"> <tr class="style8"> <td width="280"><div align="left" class="style13 style26">SPONSORS </div></td> <td width="151"><div align="left" class="style29">CLASS </div></td> <td width="262"><div align="left" class="style29">WINNERS </div></td> </tr> <tr class="style8"> <td width="280"><div align="left" class="style22">The Catering and Hotel keeper Trophy </div></td> <td width="151"><div align="left" class="style22">Best Pinot Noir </div></td> <td width="262"><div align="left" class="style22">Geyser Peak 1974 (USA) </div></td> </tr> <tr class="style8"> <td width="280"><div align="left" class="style22">The Fortnum & Mason Trophy </div></td> <td width="151"><div align="left" class="style22">Best Champagne </div></td> <td width="262"><div align="left" class="style22">Louis Kremer Brut 1974 (France) </div></td> </tr> <tr class="style8"> <td width="280"><div align="left" class="style22">The Susan Hampshire Trophy </div></td> <td width="151"><div align="left" class="style22">Best Liqueur </div></td> <td width="262"><div align="left" class="style22">Manderin Napoleon (Belgium) </div></td> </tr> <tr class="style8"> <td width="280"><div align="left" class="style22">The Supermarketing Trophy </div></td> <td width="151"><div align="left" class="style22">Best Sparkling Wine </div></td> <td width="262"><div align="left" class="style22">Stellenbosch Farmers (South Africa) </div></td> </tr> <tr class="style8"> <td width="280"><div align="left" class="style22">The Wine Book Club Trophy </div></td> <td width="151"><div align="left" class="style22">Best Botrytis Wine </div></td> <td width="262"><div align="left" class="style22">Schloss Johannisberg Goldlack Trockenbeerenauslese (Germany) </div></td> </tr> </table> </div> </div> <p align="left" class="style8">Notable personalities headed the judging panels: </p> <p align="justify" class="style8">Dr. Hans Ambrosi (Germany), F.Berrysmith (New Zealand), Prof. Carlos E. Daudt (Brazil), Colin Fenton MW (UK), Andrew Henderson (UK), Richard Hobson MW (UK), Julian Jeffs QC (UK), Anton Massel Ing. (Grad.) (UK), Peter S.F. Noble CBE (UK), David Trimby (UK), Jack L. Ward BA, OBE (UK), Harry Waugh (UK) and Freddy Le Grice Whitting (UK). </p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style8"><span class="style9">1981</span><a name="1981"></a><br> <span class="style26">The Hon. President was Harry Waugh (UK). </span></p> <p align="justify" class="style8">Under the presidency of this great wine authority (7) and with the International panel of judges this year's International Wine and Spirit Competition has beaten all records with 1104 entries of wines and spirits from 38 countries entered to be analysed and assessed.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">The tasting and award presentation banquet was again held at The Council House, Bristol, on the eve of the Bristol World Wine Fair. Our special guest, the son of our 1984 President, Count Erwein Matuschka-Greiffenclau presented the awards. </p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style8"><span class="style9">1982</span><a name="1982"></a><br> <span class="style26">The Hon. President was Dr. Hans Ambrosi (Germany). </span></p> <p align="justify" class="style8">Dr. Ambrosi, one of Germany's leading winemakers and author of many books on the wines of Germany. He was the director of the Staatsweingueter, based at Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau, Germany's largest and oldest wine estate The Monastery dates back to 1135. </p> <p align="justify" class="style8">The venue for the award winning banquet was again the House of Commons, Palace of Westminster.</p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style8"><span class="style9">1983</span><a name="1983"></a><br> <span class="style26">The Hon. President was Robert Modavi (USA). </span></p> <p align="justify" class="style8">1983 was a busy year. To begin with we organised a dinner, kindly sponsored by Lord Montagu of Beaulie, at the House of Lords to initiate the new Hon. President who generously announced that he would sponsor annually a trophy to be known as THE ROBERT MONDAVI WINEKAKER OF THE YEAR TROPHY. The award winning banquet was again held at the House of Commons, Palace of Westminster.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">In view of Robert Mondavi's presidency I proposed a public relations trip to California (8) to encourage more entries from there. It was agreed that Sir Humphrey Edwardes Jones, I and Peter Duff would undertake this task. We met many of the leading winemakers during the California Wine Experience Group meeting in October, we visited some of the Napa Valley wineries and were invited to the homes of Robert Mondavi and of Ernest and Julio Gallo. This was a most successful exercise with many more entries from the USA.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">As Managing Director I informed the board of directors that the financial situation of the International Wine & Spirit Competition Ltd. was such that the company could purchase from A. Massel & Co. Ltd. the property at Ockley, rather than paying rental, since the main office building was principally used by the IWSC. The purchase was completed in September and the IWSC offered A. Massel & Co. Ltd. a 5-year service agreement (9) as part of the transaction. I moved A. Massel & Co. Ltd., including the laboratory and the Wine Book Club, to Hindhead. At that time I reduced my activities because my sons Mark and Stephen showed no interest in the wine business. With their BSc's in Astrophysics and Electronic Engineering respectively they saw more exciting challenges elsewhere. </p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style8"><span class="style9">1984</span><a name="1984"></a><br> <span class="style26">The President was Mme Odette Pol Roger (France). </span></p> <p align="justify" class="style8">Mme Odette Pol Roger was the head of the famous champagne house. Sir Humphrey Edwardes Jones presented Madame Odette Pol Roger with her presidential insignia before the banquet in a separate VIP champagne reception before the award presentations.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">I proposed that Harry Waugh be invited to the board of directors (10). He kindly accepted the invitation and proved to be a great asset to the IWSC. </p> <p align="justify" class="style8">Mrs. Gillian Slade, my secretary for many years, resigned for personal reasons and I appointed Mrs. Joan Stock as our first full-time Competition Secretary (11). Mrs Stock proved to be eminently suited for this position (12). </p> <p align="justify" class="style8">At this time I informed the board that due to other commitments I will no longer be able to act as managing director and it was agreed that I should continue as a part time director and consultant (12). </p> <p align="justify" class="style8">Unfortunately, Samuel Alper resigned from the board of directors for personal reasons but remained a 20% share holder. I always appreciated his valuable counsel and we accepted his resignation with regret. </p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style8"><span class="style9">1985</span><a name="1985"></a><br> <span class="style26">The Hon. President was The Marquis Robert de Goulaine (France). </span></p> <p align="justify" class="style8">The Marquis de Goulaine is the owner of the Châteaux de Goulaine at Goulaine Nr. Nantes where he makes excellent Muscadet, his best wine, the 'Cuvee du Millionaire' with a production limit of just 15,000 bottles per annum is, of course, of superb quality. </p> <p align="justify" class="style8">In January Lord Montagu of Beaulieu was again our host and sponsor for a banquet at the House of Lords for the installation of the 1985 Hon. President. The reception was held in the Strangers Gallery and the banquet, to which vice presidents and panel chairmen were invited, was held in the Peers Dining Room. </p> <div align="center"> <table width="518" border="0"> <tr> <td width="512"><img src="images/ColourGroup1.JPG" width="500" height="365"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="style12">From left: Robert Mondavi, Bryan Hope, Anton Massel, The Marquis de Goulaine, Sir Humphrey Edwardes Jones, Peter Duff and Harry Waugh. </span></td> </tr> </table> </div> <p align="justify" class="style8">Peter Duff introduced us to his local MP, Sir James Spicer (West Dorset), who kindly acted as our host for the banquet at the House of Commons (13) during which The Marquis de Goulaine presented the awards at the banquet, and in his speech he praised the growing importance of the IWSC. </p> <p align="justify" class="style8">The IWSC, now the proud freehold owners of the practically paid for (after the sale of the outbuildings and 45 acres of grazing land) office building with ample space for our activities, was once again confronted by the argument that the cost for analysing the wines and spirits (GBP 8.50 per sample) are too high. One of the directors even expressed the opinion that the analysis should be abandoned. To be helpful I suggested that the IWSC should consider establishing a joint laboratory with A Massel and Co. Ltd. My proposal was, however, rejected. Luckily the view that analysis should be abandoned was not an option either and A. Massel & Co. Ltd. continued to analyse the samples.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">1985 was also the year of the Austrian glycol and later the Italian methanol scandals. Luckily, two years earlier, A. Massel & Co. Ltd. had installed the then rather expensive Gas Chromatography equipment so that we were able to accurately identify the affected wines before they were judged. Can you imagine the outcry had we awarded prizes to such wines! </p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style8"><span class="style9">1986</span><a name="1986"></a><br> <span class="style26">The Hon. President was Dr. Max Lake (Australia). </span></p> <p align="justify" class="style8">Dr. Lake was a famous surgeon and also a vineyard owner. His countrymen supported him with lots of entries in this year's IWSC and Philip Shaw of Rosemount Estate, Hunter Valley, won the coveted winemaker of the year trophy. The award banquet was held at the House of Commons.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">As a special gesture to Max Lake I arranged, with Joan Stock, a special dinner at my home at Hindhead in Surrey. Some of the winemakers who had come to England for the award celebrations attended as did the directors of the IWSC. It was agreed that Lake's Folly Chardonnay, Max Lake's own produce, was the star of the evening among the many superb wines that were served.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">The directors asked me to take over the chairmanship of the technical and judging committee which was to act in an advisory capacity to the board of directors (14). I invited distinguished international experts who all agreed to work with me on this panel: </p> <p align="justify" class="style22"><strong>Dr. Peter Hallgarten UK<br> Andrew Henderson (UK)<br> Peter S.F.Noble (UK)<br> Richard Paterson (Scotland)<br> Dr. Richard Peterson (USA)<br> Dr. Bryce Rankine (Australia)</strong></p> <p align="justify" class="style8">At that time I informed the board that I would not be able to continue with my full work-load and another person would have to be found to categorise the entries before they are presented to the judges. None of the directors offered to take on this arduous task and it was suggested that Joan Stock handle this in addition to her already heavy work load, especially during the days the entries were judged. It soon became clear that she could not cope and our chairman persuaded me to continue with this task for another year.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">The chairman's letter to our members at the end of the year has become a tradition. </p> <p align="center" class="style7"><img src="images/Letter_p1a.JPG" width="792" height="1049"> </p> <p align="center" class="style7"> </p> <p align="center" class="style8"><em>  <img src="images/Letter_p2.JPG" width="800" height="611"></em></p> <p align="center" class="style8"><em><img src="images/Letter_p1b.JPG" width="800" height="124"><br> </em></p> <p align="justify" class="style8">Sadly, this was to be Sir Humphrey's last Christmas message.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">The death of our chairman, Sir Humphrey Edwardes Jones, was recorded with deep regret in the IWSC minutes dated 29th January 1987. </p> <p align="justify" class="style8">This was indeed a great loss to the IWSC and brought an end, for me, to a very happy and successful era. It was a privilege to have had the support of such an outstanding personality for so many years. The IWSC would not have been so successful without Sir Humphrey.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">Bryan Hope was asked to become interim chairman; he accepted but stressed the need for a new, permanent chairman, to be appointed as soon as possible. </p> <p align="justify" class="style8">Samuel Alper expressed the wish to return to the board of directors but it was declined (15). </p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style8"><span class="style9">1987</span><a name="1987"></a><br> <span class="style26">The Hon. President was Kenneth Graham (Scotland). </span> <p align="justify" class="style8">Kenneth Graham was the chairman of the whisky distillers Whyte and Mackay with many other functions in the whisky trade.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">The IWSC organised the FIRST INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT CONGRESS at the Tara Hotel, London with Peter Duff as the Congress Director. The speakers were listed as follows: </p> <p align="justify" class="style8">Peter Backman, Anton Massel, Robert Mondavi, Peter Noble, Dr. Alan Rutherford, Peter Sichel, Ivan Straker, Harry Waugh and Warren Winiarski. </p> <p align="justify" class="style8">It looked all very promising but it still turned out to be a flop because the night before Britain had the hurricane of the century which brought down telephone and electricity cables and fallen trees caused traffic chaos so that people just could not get to the Tara Hotel.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">The chairman received a letter from Joan Stock indicating her desire to vacate the position of General Manager earlier than originally planned. The position was advertised and from the applicants Mrs. Frances Horder was chosen to take over from Mrs. Stock.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">The new technical committee met on 7th July and proposed several changes to past practices, including a more detailed analysis (16) with a correspondingly higher cost. Unfortunately this point was not well received at board level. The laboratory issue led to Bryan Hope's resignation as chairman and the following day I resigned as director and chairman of the technical committee (17) but I retained my 20% share holding.</p> <p align="justify" class="style8">David Molineaux-Berry MW became the new chairman in February 1988 and Richard Edwardes Jones, who had inherited the10% of the IWSC shares from his father, became a director (18). In 1990 I sold my 20 % shareholding (19) in the hope that this would give Mr. Berry incentive to lead the IWSC to even greater success. And he did, with the able support of Frances Horder who became the highly respected Competition Director. </p> <p align="justify" class="style8">The IWSC was later sold to Highbury Harpers. </p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style9">Notes </p> <p align="justify" class="style17">1. Club Oenologique Minutes dated 14th April 1878.</p> <p align="justify" class="style17">2. Bryan Hope's letter to me dated 20th April 1978. </p> <p align="justify" class="style17">3. My own share certificate for 1000 GBP 1 shares (20%) was dated 1st September 1981 </p> <p align="justify" class="style17">4. The memorandum confirming 'Details of the Directors and Shareholder of the International Wine and Spirit Competition Ltd.' was distributed to the directors on 28th September 1981. </p> <p align="justify" class="style17">5. In the IWSC brochure dated October 2000 the following was reported: ‘Peter Duff and Bryan Hope agreed to refinance and revitalise the concept`. They were only 20% share holders and no additional funds were provided. They then go on to say: ‘The name of the venture was changed to the International Wine and Spirit Competition Ltd'. The name change had already been in place when they joined us. </p> <p align="justify" class="style17">6. In the 2009 IWSC website (Officers and Directors) Bryan Hope restated: ‘He became a director of the IWSC in 1978 and became joint owner with his business partner Peter Duff' (see 5). </p> <p align="justify" class="style17">7. IWSC minutes dated 7th April 1983. </p> <p align="justify" class="style17">8. IWSC minutes dated 1st November 1983. </p> <p align="justify" class="style17">9. The 5 year service agreement dated 31st October 1983 was signed by all the directors. </p> <p align="justify" class="style17">10. IWSC minutes dated 28th February 1984. </p> <p align="justify" class="style17">11. IWSC minutes dated 10th October 1984. </p> <p align="justify" class="style17">12. IWSC minutes dated 10th October 1984. </p> <p align="justify" class="style17">13. In the 30th anniversary NEWS edition (February 1999) and repeated in the brochure celebrating the 30th anniversary, Peter Duff proclaimed: ‘The telephone rang 23 years ago. It was Lord Montagu asking me to a meeting at London's Reform Club to discuss the survival (4) of the Club Oenologique. At the meeting I was surprised to find such luminaries as Sir Charles Forte, Reggie Maudling, Lord Mancroft and Sir Reginald Bennett'. </p> <table width="762" height="83" border="0"> <tr> <td width="404"><p align="justify" class="style17">The telephone did not ring for Peter Duff! The truth is that Samuel Alper introduced Peter Duff to us. At no time was Lord Montagu involved in the management of the IWSC nor was he, or any of the other Gentlemen, financially involved in the IWSC. Even more incredible is the caption for the photograph on the same page.<br> </p> <p align="justify" class="style17">Peter Duff was a director since 1978 but this picture was taken in 1985 when Sir James Spicer was our sponsor for the award winning banquet at the House of Commons. He was in no position, at any time, to welcome Peter Duff to the board of the IWSC. He was Peter Duff's local MP and nothing else. </p></td> <td width="348"><div align="center"><span class="style17"><img src="images/Speaker_small1.JPG" width="250" height="300"></span></div></td> </tr> </table> <p align="justify" class="style17">14. IWSC minutes dated 2nd December 1986. </p> <p align="justify" class="style17">15. Peter Duff's letter dated 19th January 1988. </p> <p align="justify" class="style17">16. Minutes of the technical committee dated 7th July 1987. </p> <p align="justify" class="style17">17. My letter dated 11th December 1987 and my summary of events dated 27th April 1988. </p> <p align="justify" class="style17">18. Minutes of the annual general meeting dated 16th August 1988. </p> <p align="justify" class="style17">19. Correspondence with David Molineauy-Berry, Richard Edwardes Jones and Samuel Alper. </p> <p align="justify" class="style17"> </p> <hr align="center" noshade> <p align="justify" class="style18">AM/November 2009 </p> <p align="center" class="style8 style18"> Copyright © 2009 Anton Massel</p> <p align="justify" class="style7"> </p></td> </tr> </table> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center" class="style30"><a href="http://www.markettradingsignals.com">Link1</a> <a href="http://www.winepioneers.com">link2</a> <a href="http://www.digitaltvbooks.com">link3</a> <a href="http://www.bluelight-tech.com">link4</a> <a href="http://www.highgate.tv">link5</a> </p> <p align="center"> </p> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? 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