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Auckland wine manager Nicky Grandorge has been named top student in a prestigious international competition.
She was awarded the Vintners Cup trophy by the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) in London - the first time someone outside the United Kingdom has received the award.
Grandorge passed the qualification, which is the grade below a Master of Wine, with distinction, and gained the highest marks worldwide. Her name will be added to the Honours board in Vintners Guild Hall, London.
Grandorge, a manager at New Zealand food and wine company Delmaine, has been in the wine business for more than 15 years.
The London-based Wine and Spirit Education Trust is the foremost international body in the field of wine and spirits education. The WSET diploma (degree level) has been available to New Zealanders for 3 years and takes a multi-faceted look at the study of wine.
This includes understanding winemaking and vineyard management techniques as well as studying the history and culture of wines from around the world, and through blind tastings to be able to asses wine quality and commercial value.
The course also studies current affairs and challenges within the wine industry today.
Nicky's father is a Master of Wine and if she succeeded in passing this qualification, they would be the first father and daughter duo to do so.
As well as the much-prized Vintners Cup, Nicky receives a 1,000 pound (NZ$2,600) travel scholarship to a wine producing country of her choice.
- NZHERALD STAFF
