Matthew Jukes, wine writer and author, was last night named ‘Honorary Australian of the Year in the UK’ at the Australia Day Foundation Dinner at Australia House. Presented annually to a non-Australian resident who has displayed ‘Australian characteristics’ or has contributed significantly to Australia, Matthew Jukes’ long-term passion for, and on-going commitment to, the Australian wine industry has been recognised with this extremely prestigious award.

However, it is not just his support of the wine industry that has led to this honour. Matthew is a keen supporter of homeless charities around the world. He is the Patron and Founder of Touch Wine and Wine Rules, annual events which raise money for the homeless charities The Hutt St Centre in Adelaide, South Australia and St Mary’s House of Welcome in Melbourne, Victoria. Bringing together two of Matthew’s greatest passions, rugby and wine, these events have so far raised over $700,000 AUD for charity.

Matthew is in good company in receiving this award as previous winners include Sir David Attenborough OM CH CVO CBE FRS, broadcaster and naturalist; The Lord Goodlad, former High Commissioner to Australia and Baroness Susan Greenfield CBE, renowned scientist, writer and member of the House of Lords. The award was presented by Hon Kevin Rudd, Philip Aiken, Chairman of the Australia Day Foundation and His Excellency John Dauth, High Commissioner for Australia. On presenting the award, Hon Kevin Rudd said “Thank you for everything that you do for our country” and Philip Aiken said “This award is exceptionally well deserved”.

Matthew says, “I am absolutely thrilled to be have been given this award. I am honoured to have the opportunity to work with such fantastic winemakers. Their attitude and energy is unfaltering and it ensures that year after year, Australia makes some of the world’s finest wines. Undeterred by climate change, difficult exchange rates, forest fires and natural disasters such as droughts and flooding, they continue to excel in their field and it is for this reason that I am delighted to champion their outstanding work. I am delighted to call myself an ‘honorary Australian!”.

Other winners on the night include ‘Australian of the Year in the UK’, which was won by theatre legend Barry Humphries and ‘Young Australian Achiever of the Year in the UK’, which was won by Fashion Consultant and Trend Spotter, Yasmin Sewell.

About Matthew Jukes

Voted the most influential wine writer in the UK by Off Licence News in May 2011; a past winner of the IWSC Trophy for ’Wine Communicator of the Year’ and also winner of the Australian Food Media Award for ‘Best Food and Wine Writing’ with Tyson Stelzer for ‘Taste Food & Wine’. Author of thirteen best-selling books and the weekly wine writer for Weekend Magazine, Daily Mail (9m readers) since 1999 and also MoneyWeek. Award-winning restaurant wine list writer for over two decades working with Bibendum Restaurant, Chutney Mary, Veeraswamy, Amaya and Smith of Smithfields as well as founder of the private wine club Quintessentially Wine worldwide. Palate behind the annual 100 Best Australian Wines List and the 100 Best Roadshow. Creator with Tyson Stelzer of The Great Australian Red – the quest to find the best Cabernet/Shiraz, ‘the blend that defines Australia’. He is one of the world’s leading experts on Australian wine. www.matthewjukes.com