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Basset awarded OBE
Gerard Basset can now add the initials OBE to MS and MW after his name after the world-leading sommelier was honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Basset, who was honoured for services to the hospitality industry, is the only individual ever to have completed all three Master of Wine, Master Sommelier, and MBA (Wine) qualifications.
Speaking after the OBE award, Basset said: "This is a great honour for me; to have my achievements recognised in this way gives me enormous pride.
“I am indebted to many within the industry for their support, but not least my family who have stood by me as I indulged my ambitions."
Basset currently runs the boutique wine hotel TerraVina in the New Forest, having previously co-founded the Hotel du Vin Group.
He is widely credited with changing perceptions of wine service worldwide and introducing a host of young sommeliers to the profession.
Alan Lodge, 14.06.2011