Champagne double for MW student
A Bordeaux-based student in the Institute of Masters of Wine study programme is the recipient of the prestigious Champagne Trinity Scholarship for 2013, having won the Institute’s Lallemand Bursary earlier in the year.
Clare Tooley, Director of Le Chai au Quai, has been awarded the scholarship for her essay on the topic “Discuss the role of brand associations in the global marketing of champagne”.
The Institute, with the support of the family-owned Champagne houses of Bollinger, Louis Roederer and Pol Roger, offers the scholarship annually to a student participating in its international study programme.
The scholarship consists of two consecutive trips to the Champagne region, one during vintage and another during the blending of the vins clairs in the spring. It provides a unique opportunity for a student to gain an insight into Champagne through visits to the three renowned, family-owned houses.
Clare lives in Bordeaux with her husband Dan, and two young sons, Lawrence and Benjie. She has worked for Direct Wines Ltd (Laithwaite’s) since 2000, joining originally as a Buyer, and is currently the Director of the Group’s wine making facility in Bordeaux, Le Chai au Quai (www.lechaiauquai.com), specialising in hand-crafted wines from Bordeaux and the south of France. She is also responsible for the Group’s International Wholesale division and travels extensively around the world promoting the Group’s wines. Highlights have included a brush with pirates in China, money-launderers in the Philippines and a KGB agent in Moscow.
Penny Richards, Executive Director of the Institute, said: “Many congratulations to Clare for her double scholarship success. Her success in juggling a demanding business role along with her studies – and with family life on top of that – is inspirational. I hope she finds time for a glass of something to celebrate her achievement!”
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