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 Introduced by Patrick Schmitt MW, Editor of the Drinks Business and presented by Jane Masters MW, Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine, Miguel was delighted to receive the recognition and said, “I am of course extremely proud and honoured, and would like to thank the Institute of Masters of Wine – the Chairman, the IMW team, the Drinks Business and of course all Masters of Wine – for this Lifetime Achievement Award. I especially would like to highlight the extraordinary work, effort and dedication of our worldwide Torres team and my family. They all actually made it possible where we stand today as a winery. But allow me to give a very special thank you to my wife Waltraud, who helped build our winery (and the German market) and raise our three children – Anna, Mireia and Miguel, and of course my sister Marimar and my brother Juan-Maria.”
The award recognises an outstanding and inspirational individual with a life-long commitment to wine excellence and is chosen every two years by Masters of Wine from around the world. The honour has previously been presented to Robert Mondavi (2005), Marchese Piero Antinori (2007), Jean-Michel Cazes (2011), Baroness Philippine de Rothschild (2013) and Hugh Johnson (2015).
Miguel Torres Sr. joined the Bodega Torres family business in 1962, after studying at the universities in Barcelona and Dijon, where he specialised in Oenology and Viticulture. He has written several books, the most recognised being Vineyards and Wines. First published in 1977 it is now in its seventh revised and updated edition, available in Spanish and English.
During his long career he has travelled all over the world, visiting more than 50 countries including India where his company partners Prestige Wines and Spirits Pvt Ltd. With Thapar. He speaks English and French, has studied Japanese and after relinquishing active charge to his son a few years ago, started learning Russian. He also speaks ‘acceptable’ amount of German, after being married to his German wife Waltraud Maczassek for 50 years.
His outstanding contribution to wine has been recognised over the years. In 1996, he was honoured by the Chilean government with the ‘Grand Official of the Order of Bernardo O’Higgins’, in recognition of his services to improve the relations between Spain and Chile, as well as for his contribution to the wine sector development of this South American country.
In 2012 he received the Order of the Lion of Finland, the highest decoration the Finnish government can grant to a foreigner. His concern for climate change and ecology has been recognized internationally, includingby the drinks business, which honoured him at The Drinks Business Green Awards in 2011. He has been contributing regularly to the cause of finding solutions to the ‘Climate Change’.
In May 2013 he received the Golden Plaque of the Civil Order of the Agricultural, Fishing and Food Merit (Placa de Oro de la Orden Civil del Mérito Agrario, Pesquero y Alimentario), awarded by the Council of Ministers of Spain.
 Presenting the award to Miguel Torres, Jane Masters MW said, “I am honoured to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Miguel A. Torres. After more than 50 years, Miguel continues to lead our industry by example - he embodies the Institute's mission of excellence, interaction and learning. He is committed to environmental conservation investing in R&D, implementing initiatives and sharing these best practices to encourage others.”
Miguel Torres had been visiting India almost every year till he handed over the baton to his son Miguel Jr. About 3 years ago. He is particularly fond of the Delhi Wine club and has always been very keen to attend a dinner whenever he visited Delhi. At one time he was in Mumbai only for an evening and asked that our Mumbai chapter organise a wine dinner where he addressed the members. He is so meticulous about matching food with Torres’ wines that he always insisted looking at the Menu before it could be finalised.
Sumit Sehgal, Director of Prestige Wines and Spirits, one of the Top Ten Importers, according to the annual list compiled by delWine, who is also attending the biennial international wine exhibition Vinexpo in Bordeaux, says, ‘Mr. Torres always leads by example. He is a great visionary who believes in the future of wine industry in India and has been a big motivating factor in making Torres as the leading Spanish wine brand in India for several years. We have all learnt a lot from him and are very proud for this recognition.’
Subhash Arora
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Lifetime Achievement Green Award for Torres
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Miguel Torres: Tower of Spain
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