Six top UK sommeliers awarded Wine Guild of United Kingdom membership

Six of the UK's top sommeliers from restaurants including Coq d'Argent, Zuma and Restaurant Sat Bains have been awarded membership of The Wine Guild of the United Kingdom.

The new members are 2013 Moët Sommelier of the Year and Medlar Restaurant sommelier Clement Robert (pictured); 2013 Moët Sommelier of the Year finalist and Young Sommelier of the Year Kathrine Larsen from Zuma; Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie; Restaurant Sat Bains' Laurent Richet; 2008 Moët UK Sommelier of the Year Gearoid Devaney; and 2007 winner Nicolas Clerc.

The Winter Banquet awards ceremony on 25 November saw the finalists and previous winners of the Academy of Food & Wine Service's Moët UK Sommelier of the Year presented with their Wine Guild insignia by hospitality industry veteran Roy Ackerman and Chancellor Lord Montagu of Beaulieu.

The evening also installed Wine Guild member Roger Delaney as Companion of the Wine Guild, and saw Michael Hildesley officially succeed outgoing chairman Ackerman. AFWS director Paul Breach is now deputy chairman.

Established in 1983, the Wine Guild of the United Kingdom supports UK wine producers and encourages the understanding and enjoyment of wine. Members can undertake wine scholarships and attend social events such as tours of vineyards, wine-growing regions and Masters of Wine tastings.

Membership costs £40, but can be accepted only following a proposal and a seconding by existing members.

Clement Robert crowned Moët Sommelier of the Year 2013 >>

AFWS names semi-finalists for Moët UK Sommelier of the Year >>