Spanish wine champion John Radford died on October 19, aged 65.

Radford was known for his expertise on Spanish wines, and renowned for his writing and broadcasting on the subject.

He started lecturing on wine in 1975 and writing about it in 1977. He wrote a column for the Coventry Evening Telegraph that was later syndicated, as well as writing for the wine trade press. He also spent 13 years as a presenter on BBC local radio, talking about wine.

He was also commissioned to write textbooks for the trade on Spanish wine, penning the Spanish Wine Education Notes, which appeared bi-annually from 1989 to 2001, and consumer guide the New Spain in 1997, as well as the Wines of Rioja which he wrote in 2004. He won many prizes for his writing and work on Spanish food and wine.

A message tweeted by the WSET read: “Very sad to hear that John Radford, champion of Spanish wines and friend of #WSET has passed away. Great loss to the world of wine RIP.”

Tim Atkin MW tweeted: "Sorry to hear about the death of John Radford. A great lover and promoter of Spanish wines. And a a top bloke."

Gabriella Opaz wrote on Catavino that Radford was “a champion for the rise of Spanish wine in the global market, a cheerleader for unspoken of Spanish regions, and a passionate lover of all things wine – ensuring that every single drop was thoroughly savored from his glass. He, my friends, was in love with Spain, and a sheer pleasure to speak with.”

Asked by Harpers recently to highlight which Spanish regions and varieties he thought were heading for success, he selected Castilla y León alongside, “Bierzo with Mencía, Arribes with Juan García, and Benavente with Prieto Picudo. Also Mallorca with Manto Negro and Callet, and the Canaries with Listán Negro and the sweet Malvasía”.