Steven Spurrier of Bride Valley Vineyard, a pioneer in wine who changed the industry forever, died on Tuesday, March 9.

He was surrounded by family at his home in Litton Cheney.

Mr Spurrier gained global recognition in 1976 when he changed the landscape of wine forever with tasting that pitted French wines against Californian. The favourite wines were Californian and the historic moment is known as the Judgement of Paris.

He moved to Court House in Litton Cheney with his wife, Bella, in the 1987, but didn't transform the farm into a vineyard until 2009 when the first vines were planted.

We were lucky enough to meet Mr Spurrier and his wife last year and interviewed him about his life, which can be found here.

A spokesman for Bride Valley Vineyard said: "Steven was a pioneer in wine - a visionary who never lost his passion for new projects, new discoveries and the world of wine.

"He will always be remembered for founding the Académie du Vin, the celebrated Judgement of Paris and in recent years, the Académie du Vin Library and, together with his wife Bella, the Bride Valley Vineyard in Dorset - as well as much else besides.

"He was also a hugely loved husband, father and grandfather. He will be sorely missed, not just by his immediate family and friends, but by people right across the world of wine.

"His enthusiasm and love of wine will live on through Bride Valley, the Académie du Vin Library, the relaunched Académie du Vin in Canada and through the work of the many wine makers, wine writers and wine educators he championed.

"A memorial service will be announced in due course."

Tributes are flooding in for "a true gent".

A spokesman for Decanter wine magazine said: "Everyone at Decanter is greatly saddened to hear of the death of Steven Spurrier, a much admired and respected figure at Decanter and in the wine trade over many, many years. Sending our condolences to Bella and the family."

A spokesman for ARENI, a global research and action institute for the future of fine wine, said: "It is with a very deep heart that we learnt the passing of our president Steven Spurrier this morning.

"Being distanced from each other seems particularly difficult today.

"All our thoughts to all who knew him and were constantly inspired and amazed by his class and generosity."