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Hugh Johnson has led the world of wine writing in many new directions over the six decades since his first book, Wine, was published in 1966. The World Atlas of Wine, his Wine Companion (now in its sixth edition), the annual Pocket Wine Book (since 1977), The Story of Wine, following a 13-part TV series, and his memoirs, A Life Uncorked, have all been bestsellers. In 2004, Hugh was made a Chevalier of the Ordre National du Mérite by President Chirac, and in 2007, he was awarded an OBE for services to winemaking and horticulture, two of his great passions. Margaret Rand took over Pocket Wine after Hugh Johnson's retirement, having worked on the book with him for a couple of decades. Her career in wine has embraced writing, tasting, editing, commenting and a certain amount of stirring up; she is known for her independence and for the breadth and depth of her knowledge. Her books include Grapes & Wines and 101 Wines to Try Before You Die; she writes regularly for World of Fine Wine, timatkin.com and winesearcher.com. She is fascinated by way wine connects with history, geography, geology, economics, politics, food and - of course - wit. |
