Australian wine scholarships awarded around the globe
Australian Wine Scholarships Awarded around the globe
Australia is continuing its commitment to global wine education with the announcement of seven international travel scholarships in key markets around the world.
The scholarships provide an opportunity for students to learn more about the Australian wine industry with an eight-day study trip and have been awarded by Wine Australia to top-scoring students from UK/Ireland/Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific who took part in the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Diploma. In addition, two students from China/Hong Kong/Macau and north-east Asia who undertook the Advanced Certificate were also awarded the scholarship via an application process.
Wine Australia has worked with WSET to award the scholarships since 2007, with the aim of increasing Australia’s wine presence among educators, trade, retail and media in key export markets.
2010 Wine Australia Travel Scholarship Winners:
- Mr Plumen Velikov, WSET Diploma, Canada
- Ms Virginia Cole, WSET Diploma, USA
- Mr Thomas Curtuis, WSET Diploma, Germany
- Mr Ken Behan, WSET Diploma, Ireland
- Mr Chung Pui-Hong, WSET Diploma, Hong Kong
- Mr Jim Yang, WSET Advanced Certificate, China
- Ms Aki Shidaka, WSET Advanced Certificate, Japan
The winners’ backgrounds include marketing, education, importing, media, winemaking and wine retail and they will visit renowned Australian wine regions in Victoria, NSW and South Australia in April this year.
Annabel Mugford, Wine Australia’s Domestic Marketing Manager, said the scholarships were another opportunity for Australia to take a global leadership role in trade and consumer wine education.
“It is very encouraging to see the commitment and enthusiasm shown by everyone who applied for the scholarships and I congratulate all of the recipients,” she said. “The scholarships are a tangible way for wine enthusiasts in our key international markets to further promote Australian wine to consumers, trade and the media.
“The objective of the scholarship is to raise awareness and knowledge of the fine wine and regional personalities that the Australian wine community has to offer. As a result of the visits, the scholarship winners then become Australian fine wine ambassadors in their markets.”
In 2009, Wine Australia was the first country-specific marketing body to become a Gold Corporate Patron of the WSET, demonstrating Australia’s ongoing commitment to wine education.
Wine Australia continues its commitment to wine education, through the support of global education providers, ongoing investment in tutored masterclasses and the delivery of an educational platform “Australia: world class”, available in seven languages, via the internet and on DVD.
Notes for Editors:
Wine Australia is the statutory Government authority established to provide strategic support to the Australian wine sector in the areas of domestic and international wine promotion, market development, export regulation and compliance, trade, information and analysis, label integrity and winemaking practices.
- Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) was founded in 1969 to provide high quality education and training in wines and spirits. Since then, WSET has grown into the foremost international body in the field of wines and spirits education, with a suite of qualifications offered in 50 countries worldwide.
