OREANDA-NEWS. September 30, 2014. Oz Clarke, one of the world’s most celebrated and colourful wine authorities, has joined Singapore Airlines’ distinguished panel of wine experts.
 
The Briton’s passion for wine first began as a student at Oxford University, where he was captain of the Wine Tasting Team. After Graduation, Clarke acted with the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company as well as played leading roles in several West End musicals including Sweeney Todd and Evita before turning to writing to indulge his love for wine. His tasting skills have earned him worldwide recognition as having one of the finest palates of anyone writing about wine today.
 
As testament to his myriad achievements in the wine industry, Clarke has won all the major wine writing awards, including the Glenfiddich (three times), the Andre Simon, the Wine Guild (three times), the Julia Child, the Lanson (five times) and the James Beard. More recently, he received the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Award for International Wine Book of the Year for his book Bordeaux. His other bestsellers include Oz Clarke’s Encyclopedia of Grapes, Oz Clarke’s Introducing Wine, Let Me Tell You About Wine, Wine Atlas, New Classic Wines, his annual Pocket Wine Guide and 250 Best Wine Buying Guide, and Grapes & Wines (with Margaret Rand).
 
Clarke has been presenting British television for 30 years, and in recent years has co-presented three series of hugely successful programmes with James May where he explores the vineyards of France, California and Great Britain.
 
“We are delighted to have Oz on our esteemed Wine Panel. His reputation as a genius in the world of wine is indicative of his authority and influence, and we look forward to many spirited discussions at our wine-tasting sessions,” said Singapore Airlines’ Senior Vice President Product & Services, Mr Tan Pee Teck.
 
Added Clarke, “Singapore Airlines has such a high reputation for its wines that I jumped at the chance to join Michael and Jeannie on the Wine Panel. They’ve done a great job in ensuring our wines on board are the best in the skies. But our objective now – is to make them even better.”
 
Established in 1989, the Singapore Airlines Wine Panel’s two other members are Michael Hill-Smith, the first Australian to pass the challenging Master of Wine examinations, and Jeannie Cho Lee, the first Asian to be awarded the Master of Wine title.
 
Clarke is replacing Steven Spurrier, who has retired from the Wine Panel after serving on it with distinction for 25 years.
 
“Steven has been an invaluable member of our Wine Panel and we are grateful for his significant contributions to Singapore Airlines for more than two decades. Through his discerning selections, our customers have enjoyed some of the world’s finest wines. It was a privilege to work with such a master,” said Mr Tan.
 
Together, the panel is responsible for recommending the wines and champagnes to be served on Singapore Airlines’ flights. Up to 1,000 bottles of wine and champagne are sampled by the consultants each year in ‘blind’ tastings, where the bottle labels are concealed.