Shortlist for inaugural Gerard Basset Travel Scholarship revealed

The four sommeliers shortlisted for the inaugural Gerard Basset Travel Scholarship have been revealed.

The £5,000 prize was created, in honour of the Hotel du Vin co-founder and former World's Best Sommelier, by Gerard's wife Nina and son Romané, along with master sommelier Ronan Sayburn and wine journalist Tim Atkin.

It will be presented on an annual basis to enable a sommelier to visit a winemaking country of their choice and explore its regions, winemakers and wine personalities.

The four founders of the prize were joined by master sommelier Laura Rhys to narrow a impressive line of candidates down to a shortlist of four.

Those chosen are Melania Battiston, Medlar, Chelsea, London; Oliver Carr, the Ledbury, Notting Hill, London; Lise Donier-Meroz, L’Enclume, Cumbria and Claude Millée, Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire.

The inaugural scholar will be revealed at a La Paulée-style dinner on Saturday 1 February, hosted at 67 Pall Mall. As well as the £5,000 prize fund the winner will receive help from the judging panel to plan their trip to make it as interesting as possible.

All four shortlisted sommeliers will receive mentorship from the judges.