Cox awarded top honour from Chile

Published: 19 October, 2010

The Chilean government has bestowed the highest honour available to non-Chileans on UK director of Wines of Chile Michael Cox.

The Chilean president Sebastian Piñera attended a reception last night at Vintner's Hall in London at which the Chilean ambassador to Great Britain Tomas Muller presented Cox with his award.

Cox received the 'Comendador de la Orden al Merito de Chile' or Commander of the Order of Merit of Chile, which is presented to foreigners who have achieved distinction to the benefit of Chile. He said it was the proudest moment of his 40-year career in the wine trade.

Piñera said: "I think that we do some things really well in Chile, one of these is wine. Its very essence is part of our culture and history."

Referring to last week's historic rescue of the 33 miners in northern Chile, Piñera said: "Half a mile down in the earth, when I had the chance to talk to the 33 miners they told me one single answer ? they wanted a glass of wine. So we sent them down one glass of wine to celebrate the bicentennary."

Afterwards Cox said: "It is great for the on-going success of Chilean wine in the UK to be recognised in this way and confirms the pleasure that I derive from working with the Chilean wine trade and to help them make great progress."

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