Ben Howkins is regarded as the UK’s foremost writer and expert on both port and sherry.He was awarded theVintners Scholarshipin 1963, the youngest person to receive this award, and the experience gained then, in Europe's vineyards and working with many leading vintners, inspired his commitment to educating others to the enjoyment of wine - particularly fortified and dessert wines.A prolific writer, Ben Howkins has contributed many articles on wine to consumer and trade magazines. His books include the International Wine & Food Society's guide to portRich Rare & RedandReal Men drink Port…and Ladies do too!and, most recently, Sherry on sherry.He is a member of the Vintners Company and has lectured for the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, for which he has served as Trustee. Ben is also an International Wine Judge, public speaker and has led many visits to vineyards in Europe and South America. He has travelled extensively to the USA and China, promoting his companies' brands.He is co-founder of the Royal Tokaji Wine Company and, as a founding member of the Tokaji Renaissance, is dedicated to re-establishing recognition for Tokaji Aszú as one of the world's greatest wines.

‘I loved the full-colour extravaganza that is Ben Howkins’ Sherry: Maligned, Misunderstood, Magnificent! and found myself salivating while reading at the thought of a chilled glass of manzanilla. It’s clearly written by someone who is no stranger to long lunches by the Guadalquivir river; but Howkins can also be incisive, for example on the Rumasa scandal that did so much to upset the sherry business in the 1970s and 1980s.’
Henry Jeffreys,The Spectator