Nicolas Clerc receives Gérard Basset award

Nicolas Clerc has been named the winner of the Gérard Basset award for his “sheer determination, grit and passion” for the wine industry.

The founder and president of the UK Sommelier Academy received the award during the finals of the Taittinger UK Sommelier of the Year 2023, the competition to which Basset was closely linked as a former winner and head judge.

The award was established as a lasting tribute to Basset, who had spent much of his career inspiring the industry, as well as supporting the growth of the prestigious competition, until his death in January 2019.

Clerc was named UK Sommelier of the Year in 2007 and has now hosted several iterations of the competition (including this year’s). He passed the Master Sommelier exam in 2010 and has been working for Armit Wines since 2018.

Presenting the Gérard Basset award, Nina Basset said: “There were some outstanding candidates for this award, however our panel of judges were unanimous. This year’s winner is a much respected wine professional, having been awarded many awards as a sommelier. He’s a mentor for many and a lover of competitions. He regularly makes himself available to support sommeliers with MS and ASI exams.”

Clerc was recognised for his “sheer determination, grit and passion” for the industry, as well as being the “driving force” behind the creation of the UK Sommelier Academy.

Romané Basset added: “We had to keep [Clerc] in the dark about it, which was obviously quite hard. We had to do a fake selection process and he really didn’t know until we announced it there.

“He’s very well deserving [of the award]. What he’s done to get the UK Sommelier academy up and running is amazing.”

Clerc said: “I am deeply touched and honoured by this award. I was lucky enough to have met Gérard and to have worked with him on several projects, notably the UK Sommelier of the Year competition and on the foundation of what has become today the United Kingdom Sommelier Academy.

“While I have learned from him to dedicate myself to others without expecting anything in return, to have my work recognised by this award is a very sweet sensation, and a motivation. But this achievement is not only done to me, thanks to the Basset Clan and all people involved within the UKSA, we are carrying the Gérard Legacy.”

Photograph: Sarah Lucy Brown