Leading British wine critic Jancis Robinson and her co-authors have been named as the winners of the drink category in this year's André Simon Food and Drink Book Awards.

Robinson wrote "Wine Grapes" with Julia Harding MW and José Vouillamoz. The category judge, Harry Eyres of the Financial Times, said the tome was "a once-in-a-generation book that was both scholarly and easy to read. It was a magnificent piece of work."

The first John Avery award (named after top U.K. wine merchant John Avery MW, who died in 2012) was presented to Neal Martin for "Pomerol." 

In the food category, Caroline Conran’s "Sud de France," on the food of the Languedoc, took first place. "Hoosh," by Jason C Anthony, received a special commendation.

The winners each receive 2000 pounds ($3,000), while the prize money for the special commendation and John Avery awards is 1500 pounds ($2,260).

The shortlisted authors in the drink section were: "Brunello di Montalcino," by Wine-Searcher contributor Kerin O'Keefe; "How to Love Wine: A Memoir and Manifesto," by Eric Asimov; and "Sherry, Manzanilla & Montilla," by Peter Liem and Jesùs Barquín.

Meanwhile, Asimov, the New York Times' chief wine critic, has been named as one of this year's inductees in the James Beard Foundation's Who's Who of Food & Beverage in America. Awarded since 1990, the list is said to represent the most accomplished professionals in this field throughout the country.

The other 2013 inductees are: Dorothy Kalins, editor, NYC; chef/restaurateurs Barbara Lynch, Boston, Zarela Martinez, NYC, and Michael Mina, San Francisco; and Bill Yosses, pastry chef and author, Washington, D.C.