The nominees have been announced for the inaugural Golden Vines Innovation Award taking in a major wine stopper maker, a top wine school and a wine access tool.

Liquid Icons, founded by the late, great Gerard Basset OBE MW MS and Lewis Chester DipWSET, has announced the launch of The Golden Vines Awards, which will raise funds for, and promote, diversity and inclusion in the industry.

The Gerard Basset Travel Scholarship 2021 bursary is now open to UK-based sommelier entrants.

In restaurant news this week: The French Laundry sells its kitchen garden for US$9 million, UK hospitality businesses claim victory in a landmark insurance ruling, and the team behind Hackney’s Nest gets ready to (hopefully) open a new site in Fulham

The long-awaited memoirs of legendary wine professional Gerard Basset will launch later this month after hundreds of wine trade professionals raised money to see them published.

Lise Donier-Meroz, a sommelier at two Michelin-starred L’Enclume, was awarded the inaugural Gerard Basset Travel Bursary at a dinner at 67 Pall Mall. 

There is still time for UK-based sommeliers to send in their application for The Gerard Basset Travel Scholarship – an annual travel bursary created in honour and fond memory of the late Gerard Basset OBE, MS, MW, MSc (OIV).

Gerard Basset’s “magic combination of charm and determination” was celebrated in Friday at a service of thanksgiving in Winchester Cathedral.

The life of Gerard Basset OBE, MS, MW, MBA, MSc (OIV) will be celebrated at a service of thanksgiving in Winchester in June, with all members of the wine trade invited to attend.