January 31st – Clement Robert MS, the former wine director of Annabel’s Private Members Club and The Birley Clubs, and more recently The Melchior Club, has joined Liquid Icons in the role as Director of Wine & Spirits. One of the world’s top sommeliers, Robert has had a storied career, having trained under the late, great Gérard Basset OBE MW MS at Hotel du Vin. Robert was described as ‘King of the Somms’ in a 2023 Robb Report article, underlining his knowledge and reputation in the industry.
Having been instrumental in the origins of The Golden Vines® Awards (the ‘Oscars of Fine Wine’) when they were first launched at Annabel’s Mayfair in October 2021, Robert has overseen wine service for the two subsequent Golden Vines® Awards in Florence 2022 and Paris 2023. Now, in a new role through his consultancy company, Larsen-Robert & Associates, Robert will take charge of all wine and spirit related aspects of Liquid Icons, including its marquee Golden Vines® Awards which will be held in Madrid, Spain from 25-27 October 2024: https://liquidicons.com/work/golden-vines-awards
The Golden Vines Awards recognises the very best wine and spirit estates globally as voted by 1,000 fine wine professionals from over 120 countries in 2023, with the results independently verified by Deloitte LLP. Liquid Icons also raises money exclusively for the benefit of the Gérard Basset Foundation to fund educational programmes around diversity & inclusivity in the wine, spirit and hospitality industries. Funds are principally raised through The Golden Vines® Global Online Auction, as well as the Golden Vines® Sotheby’s Live Auction that takes place during The Golden Vines® Charity Gala.
About Liquid Icons
Liquid Icons is a fine wine research and content production company founded by two friends – the late, great Gérard Basset OBE MW MS and Lewis Chester DipWSET – and joined by Sasha Lushnikov to “do stuff in wine”. We create first-class original content and research about the world’s greatest fine wines and spirits. Our work encompasses motion picture, industry research, recognition and celebration of wine and spirits excellence, charitable and fundraising activities, as well as educational initiatives.
About Gérard Basset Foundation
Set up to honour the legacy and memory of Gérard Basset OBE MS MW by addressing the wine industry’s most pressing issues through education, training & mentorship, the Gérard Basset Foundation comprises a multidisciplinary team of industry-leading professionals: Nina Basset FIH, Romané Basset, Lewis Chester DipWSET, Ian Harris MBE DipWSET, Sasha Lushnikov, Jancis Robinson OBE MW.
