June 5, 2025 (London, UK) — Champagne Laurent-Perrier teamed up with the Gérard Basset Foundation earlier this year to create the Laurent-Perrier Champagne Scholarships to develop future young talent and support further inclusion and accessibility within the UK wine trade. The partnership saw the coming together of two family-led companies with the shared objective to mentor the next generation of wine professionals.
“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 of 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.”
Each one of these talented scholarship winners is a current working member of the UK wine trade:
- Juanita Diusaba Yusunguaira, originally from Colombia
- Daniel Reis, originally from Portugal
- Yancheng Liu, originally from China
- Jani Smith, originally from South Africa
- Irina Ciobanu, originally from Moldova
- Rosie Watts, from the United Kingdom
- Tegan-Jayne Bateman, from the United Kingdom
- Olga Salazar Torres, originally from Mexico
- Katherine Fisher, from the United Kingdom
- Aidan Griffiths, from the United Kingdom
- Pierre Anderson, from both France and the United Kingdom
- Grizelda Chung, originally from the Philippines
The partnership between the Gérard Basset Foundation and Champagne Laurent-Perrier offers the chance for scholars to undertake the renowned Wine Scholar Guild Champagne Masters course, the most up-to-date and comprehensive certification available on the wines of Champagne. The scholarship winners are also offered two days of masterclasses in negotiation and sales at day-long workshops held in London, the first of which took place earlier this week in London and was followed by a tutored tasting presented by Adam Guy, managing director at Laurent-Perrier UK.
The judging panel was composed of Nina Basset FIH, co-founding trustee and team leader of the Gérard Basset Foundation, Romané Basset, Christian Holthausen, head of communications for the Gérard Basset Foundation, and Preston Mohr, managing director of the Wine Scholar Guild.
About The Gérard Basset Foundation
The Gérard Basset Foundation is the world’s leading charitable foundation dedicated to using the wine, spirits and hospitality industries as a global vehicle for change by funding education, training and mentorship programmes which focus on opening up these sectors to passionate and talented individuals, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances. Gérard Basset (7th March 1957 – 16th January 2019) OBE MS MW MBA OIV MSc ASI World’s Best Sommelier 2010 was without question one of the greatest wine professionals of his era. During his lifetime, Gérard mentored and trained a generation of young sommeliers who sought out his expertise and guidance to launch their own successful careers. Many of those protégés are now connected with the Foundation and remain instrumental in keeping Gerard’s legacy alive and flourishing. The Gérard Basset Foundation was co-founded in 2021 by Gérard’s wife Nina and their son Romané who also serve as trustees alongside Jancis Robinson OBE MW and Ian Harris. https://gerardbassetfoundation.org
About Champagne Laurent-Perrier
Founded in 1812, the House of Laurent-Perrier has been defined by its pioneering role in innovating champagne throughout its history. Its innovation is rooted in unique savoir-faire, passed down through generations. Internationally recognised as one of the foremost names in Champagne, its success can be attributed to a deliberate policy of challenging conventional techniques while honouring traditional values, a passion for quality and, above all, respect for nature and the terroir (the natural environment in which the grapes are grown).
The Laurent-Perrier portfolio is built around three distinct expressions of its unique savoir-faire. The first is the art of assemblage of reserve vines, exemplified by Grand Siècle – a prestige cuvée crafted from three exceptional vintages to recreate the perfect year. The second is the mastery of maceration, an innovative winemaking technique that led to the creation of Cuvée Rosé in 1968. Finally, the House pioneered the non-dosé (zero dosage) style with the launch of Ultra Brut in 1981, a visionary approach that continues today with Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature.
The success of this independent family-led House is attributed to the energy of the de Nonancourt family, headed by the late Bernard de Nonancourt, who assumed control in 1948. Bernard preserved the independence of his champagne House and its values. These same principles guide the current management team led by his daughters Alexandra Pereyre de Nonancourt and Stéphanie Meneux de Nonancourt and his granddaughter Lucie Pereyre de Nonancourt.
In 2024 Laurent-Perrier was the first champagne House to be bestowed the prestigious Royal Warrant by His Majesty The King Charles III, signifying the brand’s esteemed status as a purveyor of champagne to the Royal Household.
