Moet Hennessy’s namesake Cognac brand has teamed up with the Gérard Basset Foundation and Liquid Icons to introduce the Hennessy Golden Vines Diversity Scholarship in Spirits.

The scholarship, which is worth up to £55,000, will help cover loss of earnings from participating in a 12-month internship programme at Hennessy, and all examination costs for WSET Level 3 in Spirits. The scholarship is open to aspiring wine and spirits professionals from all minority groups.

Lewis Chester of Liquid Icons and head of fundraising at the Gérard Basset Foundation said: “Our partnership bodes well for making the spirits sector a welcoming environment for minority communities globally.”

The internship programme will provide experience in various departments at Hennessy, including in education & training, winemaking, distillation, and final assemblage of eaux-de-vies. Candidates need to have basic French conversational capability, and French language lessons may be required before joining – the costs of which will be included as part of the funding scheme.

The deadline for applications is June 5.