Sarah Jane Evans is an award-winning wine writer and journalist, and a former Chairman of the IMW (2014-16). Winner of the Robert Mondavi Winery Award for the highest overall marks in the Theory exam. As a writer and consultant one of her special interests is Spain and Sherry. She is Chairman of the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino. She is a certified educator for Sherry, Montilla-Moriles and Malaga wines; and has received the awards of Dama de Albariño and Dama de Solear. Her books on Spain include 'Seville', and 'The Wines of Northern Spain', and 'The Wines of Central and Southern Spain'. Her other interests include the wines of South America; Greece; and the great fortified and sweet wines of the world. She studied Classics, and Social & Political Sciences at Cambridge University. She began her career in book publishing, and today is a Trustee of the André Simon Book Award, and a Series Editor of the Classic Wine Library. She spent a decade as Associate Editor of the BBC's Good Food magazine, and has a strong interest in taste and flavour, and in encouraging consumers to build their own confidence in tasting. She's a Founder Member of the Academy of Chocolate and the author of 'Chocolate Unwrapped'. Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Broderers. She holds the Officer's Cross of the Royal Order of Isabella la Católica.

Primary area(s) of work: Communication

Industry sector(s): Author, Broadcasting, Consultant, Educator, Events, Journalism, Marketing, Wine judge, Wine tourism

Wine styles: Cava, Champagne, English sparkling wines, Fortified wines, Madeira, Natural, Orange wines, Port, Prosecco, Sherry, Sparkling wine, Still red, Still rosé, Still white, Still wines, Sweet wines, VDN

Wine region expertise: Albariño, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Canada, Champagne, Chile, Douro, France, Galicia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary Tokaj, Jerez, Lebanon, Loire, Marlborough, Mendoza, Navarra, New Zealand, Penedes, Portugal, Priorat, Ribera del Duero, Rioja, South Africa, South America, Spain, UK, USA, Valencia, Western Cape

Market expertise: Europe, Spain, United Kingdom

Specialisms: Production of fortified wines, Branding, Broadcasting, Direct to consumer, Events, Food and wine pairing, History of wine, HORECA, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Independent retail, Marketing wine, Restaurant wines, Routes to market, Wine tourism, Wine judging