WSET: Sovna Puri from India wins The Future 50 Award

Sovna Puri is the only Indian to feature among the Future 50 award winners announced on November 28 by the Wines & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). She was selected from a global list of 600 professionals working in winemaking, distilling, product development, design and distribution, marketing, journalism and hospitality. Sovna is the only Indian in the List with awardees from 14 countries. Future 50 Award is an initiative that selects 50 'Under 40' future influencers of the global drinks industry in the area of wine, spirits and sake.

The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) is one of the most prestigious awards in the drinks industry globally, where wines from any region or style are judged by experts. IWSC has been awarding medals to the world’s best wines and spirits for 50 years. Incidentally, it has also collaborated with Debra Meiburg MW in Hong Kong and initiated the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition (HKIWSC) 11 years ago; Arora has been a regular judge in this competition.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is an awarding body devoted to the development and delivery of qualifications and courses in wines and spirits. Established in 1969 for the UK wine trade, WSET has grown to become the global industry leader. WSET qualifications are available through a network of over 700 Approved Programme Providers (APPs) in over 70 countries, including India. Sovna Puri is one such certified provider. Tully Ho, headed by Vikram Achanta is also a registered and qualified Programme Provider.

Ian Harris is the CEO of WSET since 2002. He says, "We are delighted with the final Future 50 list. It offers a genuine reflection of the young talent we have in the wine, spirit and sake categories globally. Each of the winners should be very proud of one’s achievement. We look forward to seeing them making their mark and shaping the future of our industry." For an interview with Ian by delWine, please visit:

Star Interview: Ian Harris, the dynamic CEO of WSET visits India

Choosing the winners was an exhaustive two-stage selection process using the knowledge and authority of an illustrious panel of expert judges from around the world. Supported by a global regional advisory panel covering 17 countries, the judges sifted through over 600 nominations in the first round. These were narrowed down to 200 in the second round, with a final shortlist of 82 names out of which the final 50 were selected.

Sovna Puri is a Diploma holder in Wines & Spirits from WSET, London and a Certified Educator certified to teach WSET courses up to Level 3 in wines, making her one among only two people in India holding this distinction. She is also qualified to teach the WSET Levels 1 and 2 in Spirits. She has been involved in the Indian wine sector for over 13 years and is currently working as an independent wine & spirit consultant, educator and trainer. She conducted the first-ever wine education WSET course Level 1 for the women staffers of The Lalit, Delhi in July this year. It was reported by delWine:

Lalit Delhi organises WSET Training Course for Only-Women Staff

For a couple of earlier related Articles, please visit

WSET: Tullee-Ho India shortlisted for WSET Top Honours

Sula enters Structured Wine Education with WSET

For the complete List of 50 Awardees, that includes 6 Masters of Wine including Sarah Heller MW who has been a fellow judge in HKIWSC, click the List below. The List also includes a spattering of other judges from the competition. Congratulations from delWine to Sovna Puri and all the other winners for this recognition.

Subhash Arora  

The Future 50

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