Laurent-Perrier and Gérard Basset Foundation unveil scholarship recipients

Twelve scholars, each already working in the UK wine trade, have been awarded places on the newly launched Laurent-Perrier Champagne Scholarships, designed to encourage greater inclusion and access in the industry. The initiative is the result of a new partnership between the Gérard Basset Foundation and Champagne Laurent-Perrier. Launched earlier this year, the scholarship aims to foster opportunity for those traditionally underrepresented in the trade. “We were so impressed with the 51 applicants we received, a genuine testament to the talent and dedication of the next generation of industry leaders to come,” said Romané Basset, co-founding trustee and head of operations at the Gérard Basset Foundation. “We were originally only planning to award 10 scholarships, but ended up awarding scholarships to 12 well-deserving members of the trade, individuals coming from all walks of life.”

A cross-section of today’s wine trade

The 12 successful candidates represent a richly international profile and are all currently working within the UK trade: Juanita Diusaba Yusunguaira (Colombia) Daniel Reis (Portugal) Yancheng Liu (China) Jani Smith (South Africa) Irina Ciobanu (Moldova) Rosie Watts (UK) Tegan-Jayne Bateman (UK) Olga Salazar Torres (Mexico) Katherine Fisher (UK) Aidan Griffiths (UK) Pierre Anderson (France/UK) Grizelda Chung (Philippines)

Rigorous programme, rich rewards

The scholarship comprises two main components. First, scholars will complete the Wine Scholar Guild’s Champagne Masters course, a certification widely recognised as the most current and comprehensive on the wines of Champagne. Second, recipients attend two days of masterclasses focusing on negotiation and sales, with the first held this week in London. The inaugural workshop concluded with a tutored tasting led by Adam Guy, managing director of Laurent-Perrier UK, who introduced the group to the maison’s range, including the Grand Siècle Iteration N°26, a prestige cuvée awarded a perfect 100 points. “I was delighted to meet the new scholars: a very diverse group with a shared passion for the industry we love,” said Guy. “It was a pleasure to lead them through a tasting of Laurent-Perrier’s champagnes, including our 100-point prestige cuvée Grand Siècle Iteration N°26. We wish them well on their journey and look forward to guiding them along the way.”

Judging with experience and intent

The selection panel for this year’s scholars comprised Nina Basset FIH and Romané Basset from the Gérard Basset Foundation, Christian Holthausen, the Foundation’s head of communications, and Preston Mohr, managing director of the Wine Scholar Guild. Their task: to identify individuals with promise, drive and the potential to help shape the future of the UK wine landscape.