The Wine Guild of the U.K. was founded in 1983 ( http://wineguilduk.org/ ). Since then, it s been a member of F.I.C.B. and the only wine brotherhood in the U.K. It organized the F.I.C.B. International Congress in London in 2008.

Last 25 November, it held its Winter Chapter and Banquet at the prestigious Vintner’s Hall in the heart of the City of London ( http://www.vintnershall.co.uk/ ). This building dates back to the 17th century and replaced the original building of the 13th century. It has therefore been for almost 8 centuries the home of the livery of merchants of wine and spirits of London. Located near the banks of the Thames River, it hosts today various services of the profession and is the venue for events in its superbly decorated premises.

The event was chaired by Paul BREACH, the new Chairman, and Mike HILDESLEY, Vice-Chancellor and otherwise Vice-President of F.I.C.B. for the U.K., who presided over the enthronizations.

Among these may be noted those of :

• Lydia MELLOR, the Rothschild Rising Star Award 2015 winner for restaurant managers ( www.fbma-london.co.uk/rothschild-rising-star-2015 )
• Tamara ROBERTS Owner and CEO of Ridgeview Vineyards in the South Downs of England (www.ridgeview.co.uk/ )
• Giorgio LOCATELLI, owner and chef since 2002 at Locanda Locatelli in London, a one Michelin star restaurant (www.locandalocatelli.com/). Giorgio had previously exercised his talents at the Savoy of London as well as Chez Laurent and La Tour d’Argent in Paris
• Arnaud BARDARY et Tobias BRAUWEILER, finalists of the 2015 UK master sommelier of the year competition (www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2015/08/uk-gains-three-new-master-sommeliers/ )

Alan BRYDEN, President of F.I.C.B., was presented with the medal of the UK Wine Guild.

The high level banquet was accompanied by a selection of French, Italian and Portuguese wines, but English wines were also honored, with the Ridgeview Blanc de Blancs being served for the aperitif and the Bolney Pinot Gris with the entrée( www.bolneywineestate.com/ ). The selection of the wines had been made by Prof. Kathy BURK, member of the Council.

A good opportunity to underline the progress made by and development of English wine making ( www.englishwineproducers.co.uk/ ) !