Michael Broadbent MW

Very sad to hear of the passing of the legend Michael Broadbent MW. One of the people who put fine wine on the global map when wine was an unknown niche category. Feel so privileged to have know him. RIP Michael Broadbent 1927-2020 🍷🙏🏼

Born in Yorkshire in 1927, Michael studied architecture at Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London before joining the Royal Artillery where he was 2nd Lieutenant from 1945 to 1948. He joined Laytons Wine Merchants as a trainee in 1952 where his wine career started. After a two year stint at Saccone & Speed Michael joined John Harvey & Sons Ltd Bristol in 1955. He was initially in charge of the North region both in shops and marketing, before becoming a director and finally the UK sales director.

Michael passed the MW exam in 1960, and a few years later he joined Christie’s in July 1966 where he created their first specialised wine department. He was responsible for starting Christie’s wine auctions, which he conducted worldwide. Until 1992 he was the senior director of Christie’s wine department, and he remained a senior consultant with the firm until 2009.

A wine writer and critic, Michael produced an extraordinary amount of tasting notes from his life in wine which are widely available to read. He published many books, including Michael Broadbent’s Wine Tasting and The Great Vintage Wine Book.

I had the pleasure of celebrating Michael’s 90th birthday with him at the new IMW office opening and again at a private celebration at Vintners’ Hall while many industry friends and colleagues also joined him last year at Vintners’ Hall for the launch of his last book.

*With Michael at Vintners Hall to celebrate his 90th Birthday in London.*

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Everyone who works in the wine trade and who is passionate about wine counts themselves as being very lucky. We may not all earn bankers salaries but we often manage to drink better wines than your average London oligarch.

Michael along side his wine merchant son, Bartholomew Broadbent of Broadbent Selections based in the USA

Tonight was one of those nights that really reminded me of what a special era of fine wine I’m living through and working in. The Tim Atkins and Jamie Goodes of this world will still be around for many years to come. But some legends like Michael Broadbent MW won’t be.

Jancis Robinson MW OBE giving a congratulatory speech and summary of Michael’s long career in wine.

Celebrating his 90th birthday yesterday at Vintners’ Hall (officially on the 2nd May), Michael is not only a fellow Master of Wine, who graduated in 1960, but also a legendary figure in my life and that of many others in the broader global fine wine trade. He falls into the absolute wine personality icon category along with the likes of Hugh Johnson, Steven Spurrier and Jancis Robinson, all people I have been honoured to work with and along side for the past two decades I’ve worked in the UK wine trade.

In a few years time, when some of these personalities are no longer with us, we will undoubtedly reflect on what a special moment in time the past years have been. These personalities coincided with and reigned over the democratisation and globalisation of the fine wine trade. The market will continue to evolve, times will change, but these figures and their influence will never be surpassed.

Jancis Robinson’s 3 page speech and CV Summary. Yes, his career is that long and impressive!

So when you pop that next cork, think about the person, who ever it may be, that inspired you to appreciate wine, and honour them with a cheeky toast. Cheers!