Gastro-pub group ETM ramped up its focus on wine training earlier this month with the launch of a wine academy for staff.

Ten ‘ETM wine ambassadors’ have been chosen from across the group’s portfolio, who will attend wine classes every two weeks. The syllabus, compiled by operations manager Paulo Brammer and based on WSET material, covers wine service, tasting, regions and management. Each one and a half hour class will have a particular focus, followed by a tasting, and will also feature talks by guest speakers from the trade.

The idea, explains Brammer, is that these ambassadors will then be able to pass on this information to the teams where they work.

Ambassadors are expected to keep their spot on the programme by passing exams, but will be rewarded for good performance with bottles of wine, as well as trips to wine regions.

News item from Imbibe.com, 30-07-2010