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A new collaboration between France and India to promote wine studies

On June 13th, the Chamber of Commerce of Bordeaux celebrated the official launch of a new partnership between Institut de Promotion Commerciale (IPC), which specialises in wine education and Lotus Business School of Pune, India. …

Kanika Dhawan

22 June 2016 · 3 min read

A new collaboration between France and India to promote wine studies — Photograph · Sommelier India

Group photo of the Indian students pictured with Jacques Faurens from the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce (in the centre in a beige jacket), Philippe Casteja, president of the Conseil Grands Crus Classés 1855 (to his left) and Yann Chaigne, director of IPC School, Bordeaux (in the middle in dark blue)

On June 13^th, the Chamber of Commerce of Bordeaux celebrated the official launch of a new partnership between Institut de Promotion Commerciale (IPC), which specialises in wine education and Lotus Business School of Pune, India. Brinda Bourhis has the report…

At the moment, 14 students from India are studying in Bordeaux for the one-year-course entitled “Wine & Spirit Business Management Certificate.” The aim of the programme is to train Indian students who are eager to develop their skills in the wine industry including marketing, management, sales, web technology and tasting.

The programme has been compiled by Yann Chaigne, head of Education. Following their sessions of theoretical study, the students will undergo a paid six month internship either in France or abroad.

*The Institut de Promotion Commerciale in Bordeaux*

The IPC Bordeaux that was established in 1974 by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bordeaux and the Bordeaux trade has more than 1200 graduates to date, all of whom have entered various sectors of wine after receiving training here.

At the opening ceremony, the Conseil des Grands Crus Classés 1855, which is one of the supporters of this initiative, said that it was wonderful to see such motivated students who are likely to contribute to the expansion of the Indian wine market.

Talking about their course, one of the students said, “Even if the consumption of wine in India is still tiny, there are more and more Indians interested in wine. After this programme my idea is to set up my own wine business in India.”

Another student added, “I’d really love to stay on a bit longer in Bordeaux after the course, work for a wine merchant or château to get hands-on experience…and improve my French”!