Mark Davidson

Born in London, raised in Sydney Mark has over 30 years of experience in the hotel and restaurant and wine business, fifteen of those as a Sommelier. In 2001, he was named Sommelier of the Year at the Vancouver Wine Festival and also won the Spirited Industry Professional in 2014.  As a Department Head and instructor with the International Sommelier Guild he was instrumental in the on-going development of the curriculum and has taught classes in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas. Mark is an annual judge at Dallas Morning Star/Texsom and Sunset Magazine wine competitions. In addition he developed a wine education and restaurant etiquette course for Simon Fraser University Global Asset and Wealth Management MBA program and is currently studying for the theory section of the Master of Wine having passed the rigorous tasting examination in 2012. Mark is currently Global Education Director for Wine Australia.

Read our interview with Mark below…

1. How many years have you been working with wine?
Almost 30 years.

2. What was your first wine related job, article, or assignment?
When I was 14 spent the day dumping bottles of bad wine at the warehouse at my dad’s wine company in Australia. I got paid so it was a job……..I guess.

3. Is there a grape or style of wine you are personally attached to?
Cool climate Shiraz/Syrah. Burgundy. Champagne.

4. What was your first Canadian “aha” wine moment?
Blue Mountain Pinot Blanc in 1993.

5. Which grape(s) do you feel is/are Canada’s best bets in terms of producing top quality wine?
Pinot Family – Blanc, Gris and Noir. Cab Franc. Merlot. Chardonnay.

6. What would you like consumers to know about Canadian wine?
That there is quality, diversity and interest across the spectrum of varieties and styles.

7. How many years have you judged Canadian wine?
15.

8. What do you enjoy most about judging at The Nationals?
Drinking Negroni’s with Rhys Pender and John Szabo.

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