Gerard Basset, the world champion sommelier, co-founder of the original Hotel du Vin Group and owner of the award-winning Hotel TerraVina in the New Forest, today received the OBE from the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle for services to hospitality.
Basset is regarded by his peers as one of the greatest authorities on wine and, in addition to his competition and business success, is considered to have revolutionised wine service, adopting an accessible approach and mentoring a generation of young wine professionals.
He said he was "humbled and overjoyed in equal measures to be recognised by the establishment".
Gerard and Nina Bassett open latest venture, Hotel Terravina >>
Gerard Bassett named the world's best sommelier >>
By Janet Harmer
E-mail your comments to Janet Harmer here.
If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.catererandhotelkeeper.com/tabletalk
Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs
E-newsletters
For the latest hospitality news, sign up for our E-newsletters