Dry Extract Interview: Nigel Sneyd MW, Accolade Wines, Reynella, Australia

Nigel Sneyd MW is the global director of wine and quality for Accolade Wines in Australia and a board member of the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI). He studied oenology in Australia and in Lyon, France and subsequently achieved an MBA at the Universities of Adelaide and Monash. With winemaking secondments in nearly every continent, he also was director of winemaking for E&J Gallo in California. Nigel was also Director of Domaine de la Baume in France, and later director of a négociant business specialising in high-end appellation wines from the Languedoc.

The best advice I ever got

To apply for the position of manager of extension and advisory services at AWRI when still only 25 years old (from the late Ian Hickinbotham). 

My life motto

We can always do better!

I am currently reading

The World of Fine Wine current issue.

My most played music track

Recently, Jeff Beck playing Nitin Sawney’s Nadia live at Ronnie Scott’s in London.

If I didn’t do my current job I would be

Bored witless!

Skill I don’t currently possess but would like to have 

Being able to better swing a golf club…

My favourite kind of exercise

Golf, although I really should force a little harder on the athletic front.

I relax while

Eating with wine to accompany, listening to music, watching films, walking on the beach.

I collect

I’ve moved so many time I tend not to collect. Some wines have managed to follow me though.

My essential newspaper/magazine

The Economist

My desert-island wine

Manzanilla

I have learnt a lot from

Living away from my home country

My last meal and sip will be

Piedmontese truffles shaved over fresh pasta and a ’78 Château Léoville Las Cases.