Patrick Schmitt is editor-in-chief at The Drinks Business. He writes for and manages the European and Hong Kong editions of The Drinks Business, as well as the printed product's website thedrinksbusiness.com. He also chairs the publication's annual awards programme, including The Drinks Business Awards for product innovations and environmental initiatives, as well as the magazine's Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Champagne and Rioja Masters, for which he heads up a tasting panel of wine experts. Patrick has been shortlisted two years running for editor of the year in the business and professional magazine category for the British Society of Magazine Editors (BSME). Patrick studied Geography at Oxford University and later Landscape Architecture at the University of Greenwich. Although he had initially planned to practise as a landscape architect, a job on a horticultural trade journal took him into a career as a journalist.

Industry sector(s): Journalism, Educator, Wine judge

Wine styles: Sparkling wine, Champagne, Prosecco, English sparkling wines, Fortified wines, Port, Still white, Still red, Still rosé, Still wines

Wine region expertise: Argentina, Central Otago, Chile, Hawke's Bay, Limari Valley, Marlborough, Mendoza, New Zealand, Portugal, Western Cape, France, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Languedoc, Roussillon, Champagne, UK, Rioja, Galicia, Navarra, Spain, Jerez, Maipo Valley, Sicily, California

Market expertise: North America, United Kingdom, China

Specialisms: Marketing wine, Financial and commercial structures, Restaurant wines, Branding