The Gerard Basset Travel Scholarship 2021 bursary is now open to UK-based sommelier entrants.
The scholarship was founded last year by Nina and Romané Basset in honour of the late Gerard Basset OBE, MS, MW.
“Education, mentoring and inspiring young sommeliers was something very dear to Gerard, as anyone who met him will know. He always maintained that travelling to the wine regions of the world broadened his mind, his knowledge and wine experiences better than any other form of study ever could,” Nina Basset said.
“Travel is something we are all missing, but the world will open up again and we will all be able to travel more freely once more. We want to ensure Gerard’s legacy lives on, which is why in 2021 we have established the Gerard Basset Wine Education Charitable Foundation and this scholarship is one of a number that we are offering to wine students,” she added.
Entrants for this year’s bursary are invited to submit a written statement of up to 500 words detailing why they are applying for the scholarship, how they plan to spend the money, and how they see it benefiting their future careers.
A judging panel, including Nina, Romané, Ronan Sayburn MW, Tim Atkin MW and Laura Rhys MS, will then select a shortlist of three candidates for interview in order to decide on a winner.
The panel will help with contacts and suggestions to ensure the winner’s trip is as rich and comprehensive in content and experiences as possible.
The winner of the inaugural scholarship, Lise Donier-Meroz, a sommelier at L’Enclume, had to postpone her planned trip to South America, which she will embark upon when it is safe to do so.
Entrants should send their submissions to [email protected] before the 28 May 2021 deadline.
This year’s fundraising dinner at 67 Pall Mall will take place at a later date. Fifty guests will be invited to buy a ticket and bring along a wine of their choice to share on the evening.
A modest percentage of the ticket price will go towards the food. The remainder of the ticket price will be put towards the bursary fund.
