Welcome to Romain Bourger - our new Head of the Technical Committee

We are thrilled to welcome Romain Bourger as the Head of the Technical Committee. He is replacing the fabulous Kathrine Larsen MS, as she steps away to concentrate on other projects, whilst thankfully remaining involved with the UKSA.

In his new position, effective from January 2024 Romain is also taking a position within the board.

Romain is native of the French Mosel and became interested in the world of wine during his hospitality studies. He passed his sommelier exam and moved to England in 2008 to work at Hotel du Vin Winchester, under the tutelage of the late Gerard Basset. He spent a month and a half there as a trainee a few months previously. He then moved on to work at The Vineyard Hotel in Newbury where he started as a Sommelier and is now the Director of Wine and Beverage, also working closely with the Vineyard Cellars. The Vineyard Group wine distributor.

Romain has won the Young Sommelier of the Year Competition in 2016, won an Acorn Award in 2018, Catey Wine and Spirit Ambassador Winner 2023 and the UK Sommelier of the Year in 2019.

Romain says:

'I am honoured to be part of the UK Sommelier Academy after years of competing. It is a pleasure to be able to help develop the next generation of sommeliers and the already high level of wine service in the UK'