We are sorry to inform Clive's friends that he died on 26th July 2022 in hospital in Lyon. He was 80 and had been in poor health for some time. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him and we are keenly aware of the influence he had on so many wine lovers around the world. We are sure that he would have wanted anyone who wished to remember him to open a bottle of something nice and raise a glass in his memory.
The family of Clive Coates
About Clive Coates MW
Clive Coates MW
Clive Coates MW (Master of Wine) one of the world's leading wine authorities. Coates' lifetime of distinguished activity in the field has been recognised by the French government, which awarded him the Chevalier de l'Ordre du Mérite Agricole, and he's also been honoured with a "Rame d'Honneur" by Le Verre et L'Assiette, the Ruffino/Cyril Ray Memorial Prize for his writings on Italian wine, and the title of "Wine Writer of the Year" for 1998/1999 in the Champagne Lanson awards.
Coates published THE VINE, his independent fine wine magazine, for 241 issues from 1984 to 2005. Keenly read by oenophiles the world over, THE VINE received numerous awards, including a special commendation for its "considerable contribution to the knowledge and understanding of wine from the Wine Guild of Great Britain. In addition to his work with THE VINE, Coates has written for nearly all the world's foremost wine publications, and enjoys a reputation as an accomplished and engaging speaker among audiences throughout Europe and the USA.
Coates' books are widely considered the classic works on their respective subjects. They include: CLARET (1982), WINES OF FRANCE (1990), GRANDS VINS, The Finest Châteaux of Bordeaux and Their Wines (1995), and CÔTE D'OR, A Celebration of the Great Wines of Burgundy (1997), which won the André Simon Award (UK), the Champagne Veuve Clicquot prize (USA) and the James Beard Award (USA) for the best wine book of the year. CÔTE D'OR also won the annual Prix des Arts et des Lettres awarded by the Burgundian Confrérie du Tastevin, the first time a book on wine and a non-Burgundian has been so honoured for 30 years. Since then he has published AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF THE WINES AND DOMAINES OF FRANCE (2000); THE WINES OF BORDEAUX (2004) and THE GREAT WINES OF FRANCE (2005).
The long-awaited sequel to Côte d'Or, THE WINES OF BURGUNDY, was published world-wide by the University of California Press in April 2008.
Prior to his career as an author, Coates spent twenty years as a professional wine merchant, during which he served as Executive Director of the wines division of British Transport Hotels and established the legendary Malmaison Wine Club.
Now semi-retired, Clive lives in southern Burgundy with his dogs and occasionally conducts wine lovers round the region.
“..... a Wine Tasting Dinner featuring Clive Coates MW (with) wines, now somewhat aged, that Clive had highly rated on first release. As five Premier and four Grand Crus were served, the master gave a running commentary with his usual flair. It was remarkable that the development of the wines matched his early predictions..... Enthusiastic tributes to the esteemed guest of honour”
“What other writer gives you the confidence that he firstly knows each property and its produce, and can give you a fresh and honest assessment.”
“Coates is remarkable for his ability to capture the essence of a vineyard or a producer in a brief paragraph or two ... Indispensable.”
“Clive Coates....is one of the most prolific wine writers, especially on the subjects of Burgundy and Bordeaux. He is a true expert on both regions..... He also has a great sense of humor, and is one of the best lecturers on the subject of wine.”