International success for AXA Millésimes Scholarship Winners 2012
Six students in the Institute of Masters of Wine study programme, from five different countries, have been awarded a prestigious 2012 AXA Millésimes’ Scholarship following a hard-fought competition.
This November, scholarship winners will have the unforgettable opportunity to visit some of the world’s most famous wine properties as guests of AXA Millésimes, who are a Principal Supporter of the Institute. The Scholarship, now in its fourth year, is open to all students of the Institute at any stage in their studies. The Scholarship offers the students, who are working towards achieving the title of Master of Wine, unrivalled insight into wine-making at leading properties.
The 2012 AXA Millésimes scholars are:
Vanessa Chan, Hong Kong
Thomas Curtius, Germany
Terje Meling, Norway
Eugene Mlynczyk, Canada
Helen Savage, UK
Henrik Sundt, Norway
Opportunities for the winning scholars will include the following:
• Several days at three of AXA Millésimes’ Bordeaux properties (Château Pichon-Longueville, Pauillac; Château Petit-Village, Pomerol; and Château Suduiraut, Sauternes) including tours of the châteaux estates, work in the vineyards and cellars, tastings, and blending with the individual winemakers.
• Two days at either Mas Belles Eaux in the Languedoc or Domaine de l’Arlot (Nuits Saint Georges) in Burgundy.
• An optional visit to either Quinta do Noval in the Douro or Disznóko in Tokaj.
The scholarships were awarded following an essay competition on the following topic.
“What is the role of social media in the wine world today, and how do you think it is likely to develop? Will it lead to a democratisation of the judgement of wine quality, or will the role of the qualified wine expert remain important for the foreseeable future?”
Christian Seely, Managing Director of AXA Millésimes, said:
“As in previous years, the idea behind the scholarship is to give the winners some practical experience of daily life in a vineyard. Social media is becoming an increasingly important communication tool in every aspect of wine making and marketing – which is why we asked students, who are the future of the wine trade, for their views. We received some very lively essays, with original insight, passionate argument and coherent thought.”
Siobhan Turner, Executive Director of the Institute, said:
“The chance to visit properties like these as a guest of the winemaker is a golden opportunity for our students. I am sure that the experience that they will gain, and the memories they will take away with them, will be a landmark in their wine education. We are very grateful to AXA Millésimes for their continuing generosity in providing these scholarships. Their commitment to education within the wine trade, and to the Masters of Wine programme in particular, is very greatly appreciated.”
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