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News
Caspar Auchterlonie dies
Wine writer Caspar Auchterlonie has died aged 44.
Tributes from the trade have been pouring in from Twitter, since his death on Tuesday.
Wine writer Joe Wadsack described him as: “The man with the biggest heart in the wine trade.
“Funny, eccentric, unpredictable and always positive, he was the warmest of intelligent men who was as colourful as his worn-out shiny jackets,” he said.
Loire expert Jim Budd remembered Auchterlonie as “full of life and good humour.”
On leaving Cambridge University, he joined Oddbins and spent 13 years in the independent wine retail sector, including three years as a manager and wine buyer for Conran restaurant Le Pont de la Tour.
A member of the Circle of Wine Writers, Auchterlonie had been a senior judge at the International Wine Challenge for 22 years, and set up the Own Label Awards in 2006.
He was also a judge for the International Sommelier Awards, a contributor for Imbibe magazine, and a wine speaker for Quaglino’s and Vinopolis.
Auchterlonie was well known in the trade for his beloved greyhound Herbie, who died last year.
He leaves behind his wife Alex.
Another very sad loss to the wine industry – a real gentleman and lively character who will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure to meet him or work with him. My fondest wishes to his wife Alex who I had the pleasure to meet and sit with at the most recent Journalist Ball – where both Alex and Caspar played host to my ex colleague Amanda and me. A lovely kind man.
too many genuinely nice guys leaving us too early – sad news indeed…
I was saddened to hear of Caspar’s untimely death. What a lovely guy. My sympathies to his wife Alex.
I am so saddened by the loss of the wonderful Caspar. He was a fantastic mate, always ready with a smile and a hug and always wanting to know about you. My heart goes out to Alex.
Very sad and shocked to to hear the news and my deepest sympathy goes to Alex. I remember Caspar well from his school days at Cheltenham College where I taught and I was delighted to see he and Alex back at College last September for his 25th Anniversary reunion dinner. They were both in great form and a great evening was had by all..
Such sad news about Caspar who was a lovely, genuine guy. Another terrible loss for the wine trade.
A lovely man whom I first encountered when selling to Le Pont de la Tour – always smiling, a kind word, fair-minded. A loss far too early.
Sleep well, my friend. Like many others have already said, you’ll be missed by many.
Such tragic news. Ebullient, a chum over many years but sadly our contact relapsed.
Best and kindest wishes to Alex.
From Dominic Kelly in the UK and another tasting partner James Tillbrook in the Adelaide Hills Oz