2010 AXA Millésimes Scholarship
For the second year running, students in the Institute of Masters of Wine international education programme will have a unique opportunity to spend time with the winemaking teams at AXA Millésimes’ portfolio of châteaux, domaines and estates in Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Languedoc, Portugal and Hungary.
In 2009, Institute students from the United States, Ireland, Germany, Australia and the UK were the recipients of the inaugural Scholarship.
AXA Millésimes, a long standing Principal Supporter, contributes annually to the Institute’s education and events programmes around the world – currently involving more than 240 students from 25 countries. The education programme encourages a cross-disciplinary approach to understanding and communicating about wine and prepares candidates for the rigorous Masters of Wine Examination.
The 2010 scholarship, open to students at any stage of their studies towards achieving the title Master of Wine, will include:
- Two to three days at AXA Millésimes’ Bordeaux properties with, according to the season, tours of the châteaux estates, work in the vineyards and cellars, tastings and blending with the individual winemakers.
- Two days at either Mas Belles Eaux in the Languedoc or Domaine de l’Arlot in Burgundy.
- An optional visit to either Quinta do Noval in the Douro or Disznók? in Tokaj.
Selection will be by essay, written in either French or English and not exceeding 1,000 words, addressing the following topic:
“Imagine that you are a producer of a great vin liquoreux, such as Sauternes or Tokaji. These are among the loveliest wines in the world and yet their commercialisation is a significant challenge. Why do you think this is so and what strategy would you adopt, both in terms of production and marketing, in order to ensure their future success?”
The deadline for essay submissions from Institute students is mid-June and the 2010 scholars will be announced in July, ready for their visits in autumn 2010.
Christian Seely, Managing Director of AXA Millésimes, explains: “As last year, the idea behind the scholarship is to give the winners some practical experience of daily life in a vineyard. We hope that the question will stimulate some lively essays. I am a great lover of vins liquoreux, and believe they are much undervalued. However, there are no right or wrong answers: we are looking for original insight, passionate argument and coherence of thought.”
Dr. Josef Schuller MW, Chairman of the Institute, said: “This scholarship, generously provided by our principal supporter AXA Millésimes, provides students in our education programme with a truly unique opportunity to experience at firsthand the work of winemakers at leading properties in some of the world’s most renowned wine producing regions. This opportunity is of enormous value to students as they pursue their goal of becoming Masters of Wine because the insights they will gain will enhance their knowledge of many different wines.
“The Institute is very grateful to Christian Seely and his team at AXA Millésimes for their continuing commitment to our goal of promoting educational and professional excellence in the wine community.”