Renowned wine writer Robert Parker has become the only such expert to be awarded Spain's Gran Cruz al Merito Civil.

Raphael Del Rey, director of the Observatorio Espanol del Mercado del Vino (OEMV), confirmed the prestigious honour had not been bestowed on a wine critic before, but Parker has done much to champion the vineyards of Spain throughout his career.

Parker himself was astounded to have received the award, saying he found the whole experience "surreal".

"I write about a beverage of pleasure, not about curing cancer, and to say it is humbling is to understate my sentiments and good fortune," he said on his website.

Parker recently announced that he was taking a reduced role in reviewing for his publication, The Wine Advocate.

Despite having played a major role in the building of the California wine industry, Parker has passed responsibility for the region to associate Antonio Galloni.

Parker will only now review older Californian wines, alongside vintages from Bordeaux and the Rhone.