Bollinger Medal awarded to Rebecca Gibb MW

The Madame Bollinger Foundation has awarded the 2015 Bollinger Medal to the British journalist Rebecca Gibb MW.

Rebecca Gibb MW is presented with the Bollinger Medal by Madame Bollinger Foundation secretary Andrew Hawes (Photo: Mentzendorff)

The award recognises excellence in tasting and outstanding achievement in the Institute of Masters of Wine Practical Examinations.

Gibb, who is the deputy editor of fine wine living magazine Le Pan, was presented with the award by the secretary of the Madame Bollinger Foundation, Andrew Hawes, at the annual Institute of Masters of Wine Awards ceremony at The Vintners’ Hall in London.

It marks the 27th occasion that the Bollinger Medal has been awarded since its inauguration in 1988.

The first Bollinger Medal was awarded to Australian Michael Hill Smith MW in 1988. Since then the winners of the medal have included Master of Wine of eight different nationalities, with 12 coming from Great Britain.

“It always gives me great pleasure to see this award presented for excellence in tasting which aims to honour the memory of Madame Lily Bollinger,” said Etienne Bizot, chairman of the Madame Bollinger Foundation.

“Rebecca’s outstanding results in her practical examinations see her hard work being duly rewarded.”

Gibb is a British journalist living in New Zealand. While now working as deputy editor of Le Pan, she has previously edited Wine Searcher.

Gibb’s Master of Wine research paper focused on the causes of the 1911 Champagne Riots. Following her award she said she hopes to pursue her passion for wine history.

In 2014 the Bollinger Medal was awarded to Louise Sydbeck MW from France. Previous recipients include Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (2008), Essi Avellan MW (2006), Gerard Basset MW (1998) and Alun Griffiths MW (1991).