Champagne Adds Fizz To Diploma

There have been celebrations in a Co Down fishing town this month as a local licensed trade professional toasts his own success in a top drinks' industry award.

Andrew Imrie, Director of KWM Wines in Kilkeel (pictured) has been awarded the prestigious Moët & Chandon Scholarship by the Wine & Spirits Educational Trust (WSET).

He received exceptionally high grades in the international standard examination for the Level 4 Diploma is the WSET's flagship qualification.

It is designed to give specialist knowledge of the principal wines and spirits of the world combined with commercial factors and a thorough system for the professional evaluation of wines and spirits.

There are only a few thousand such Certificate holders, with The Diploma viewed universally as the stepping-stone to the highly sought-after and exclusive Master of Wine qualification, of which there are only dozens across the world.

Andrew has won a study visit to Champagne as a guest of Moët & Chandon and its sister houses following his success.

He told www.4ni.co.uk that he initially returned to education over a decade ago and after completing preliminary qualifications and working in vineyards across the wine world, he began study at a local college.

"I embarked on the Level 4 Diploma at the South Eastern Regional College, a course that was interactive and benefited from expert tutelage.

"The information gained on the course has been great for my business and I have recently set up a service where customers can order online and also join our popular wine club," he explained.

The objective of the Diploma is to provide expert knowledge of the principal wines and spirits of the world combined with commercial factors and a thorough system for the professional evaluation of wines.

People employed in the wines and spirits industry and who are required to make managerial decisions, interpret information and to have a thorough understanding of market trends and requirements are most likely to benefit from the Diploma qualification.

(BMCC/GK)