Obituary: David Burns – New Milton man was world's longest serving Wine Master

A NEW Milton man who became the world's longest serving Master of Wine and the youngest to qualify has died at the age of 94.

David Burns was also the first chair of the New Milton Neighbourhood Council – which later became the town council.

Friend Malcolm Mecklenburgh said: “He was in all but name New Milton’s first mayor. He was extremely hard working in establishing procedure and the initial organisation of the council.”

Although he was known locally as someone who was involved with the community, in the wider world he was famous for his amazing knowledge of wine.

Daughter Jennie Hillman said: “His passion for wine was born from how magical he thought the natural process was of turning the simple grape into something as delicious, complex and beautiful as wine."

Educated in Stowe, he entered the wine and spirits trade after leaving the army in 1949. He had served with the Royal Dragoon Guards, seeing service in Palestine.

He started as a trainee, bottling claret in the cellars of JLP Lebègue, prestigious shippers of Bordeaux and Burgundy. He progressed to become a sales rep selling fine wine to hotels and restaurants in London and the south-west.

In 1956 he became a Master of Wine, of which there are only 416 in the world.

They are recognised as experts in the wine industry, having to sit a series of exams set by the Vintners Company and the Wine and Spirit Association of Great Britain.

Seven years later he became chair of the Wine Masters Institute.

At the time he worked for Geo. Idle, Chapman & Co, a prestigious wine, whisky and liqueur trading company.

His own company followed not long after, when a golfing partner mentioned during a round that he was involved in the sale of Long’s Wine Lodges, a small group of wine bars in the New Forest.

They were run by a Totton-based company and included shops in Lyndhurst and Lymington selling wine and spirits. The group also owned a wine bar in Bournemouth.

In Lymington there was a bar under the shop which became a hugely popular part of the High Street social scene.

David and his wife Diana saw becoming involved with Long’s as an opportunity to build a business together.

They bought the group and moved to the New Forest, changing the name of the company to David Burns Vintners.

Over the next decade, the company expanded and thrived. A further shop was opened in Canford Cliffs, and the couple also took over Yelf’s, a wine bar in Ryde on the Isle of Wight.

David was very involved in the business, holding regular tastings and giving his expert opinion on wine from places he had travelled, including California, New Zealand and Australia.

His annual tasting event at Chewton Glen became so popular it had to be staged over two days.

David and Diana eventually sold their business to Grants of St James to set up one that involved winemakers' evenings hosted at top hotels and restaurants across the south of England.

He remained as consultant to the group until he retired in the 90s but he still continued as a Master of Wine attending top-level functions.

His other passion was music, especially opera. He also enjoyed golf and cricket and was a member of the MCC at Lord's for 60 years.

He is survived by widow Diana and daughters Juliet and Jennie.

David's funeral is at St Thomas's Church, Lymington, on Thursday 13th October at 1pm. It will also be live streamed from 12.50pm at bit.ly/3E2ewCc