Académie du Vin Library celebrates success at the 2025 André Simon Awards

This week, the team at Académie du Vin Library were thrilled to be recognised at the 2025 André Simon Awards. These awards are the oldest and most prestigious food and drink book awards in the UK and, arguably, the world. Each year, many of the best books in the categories compete for inclusion on the shortlist, judged by a stellar group of food and drink writers and chefs.

There were four outstanding books in the Drinks category, including one that I will certainly be buying myself. Tequila, Mezcal and More by Anna Bruce is a beautifully researched and designed, very comprehensive look at this fascinating and very fashionable group of spirits. Filthy Queens: A History of Beer in Ireland by Dr Christina Wade sounded brilliant, scholarly but down to earth and full of social history. But it was our very own Rooted in Change: The Stories Behind Sustainable Wine by Jane Masters MW and Andrew Neather that won the John Avery Award for the importance of its subject and the authors' accessible, ultimately hopeful approach.

And the top prize went to Wines of Lebanon: The Journey Continues by Michael Karam, with atmospheric images by Norbert Schiller, which sensitively captures the essence of this intriguing wine country, from the technical to the human. As we distribute Michael’s book, we were absolutely delighted by this news.