World Champion Sommelier, Gerard Basset OBE, adds one of the world’s most prestigious wine accolades to his name this week as Decanter magazine names him its 2013 Man of the Year. This latest honour caps an extraordinary career for Basset who is considered to be one of the world’s foremost authorities on wine and an icon to many within the industry.

In the thirtieth year of the award, Basset joins a flawless list of recipients who include Laura and Corinne Mentzelopoulos of Chateau Margaux; Robert Mondavi; Georg Riedel; Jancis Robinson MW OBE; Miguel A. Torres; Jean-Michel Cazes; Anthony Barton of Chateau Léoville-Barton; Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti; and Paul Symington of Symington Family Estates, Portugal.

Considered by many to be one of the world’s greatest authorities on wine, Basset is credited with changing perceptions of wine service worldwide, whilst training and mentoring a generation of young sommeliers.

Hampshire-based Basset was born and raised in France, embarking on a career as a sommelier when he moved to the UK in the 1980s. He quickly established himself within the industry, winning a succession of awards and accolades both in the UK and internationally.

He is the only individual ever to have completed the fiendishly challenging Master of Wine, Master Sommelier, and MBA (Wine) qualifications, and has represented Great Britain winning every major sommelier award.

A co-founder of Hotel du Vin Group, Basset has simultaneously enjoyed business success. Today he runs the boutique wine hotel, TerraVina, in the New Forest with his wife, Nina.

Speaking as the award was announced Basset said, “I am humbled and overwhelmed to have been selected by my peers for this incredible honour. This is a great compliment and to have my achievements recognised in this way gives me enormous pride. Never would I expect my name to be in such exalted company with some of the truly great figures within this global industry. From winning the World Championship to receiving the OBE and now this – the last two years have been such an incredible experience and I thank the many individuals who have supported me throughout.”