What the Champagne Academy course meant to me and a note for the 2026 students - Kayleigh Vidler, Class of 2025

From Left to Right - Craig Bonner - Chairman 2025 & 2026, Kayleigh Vidler - Student of 2025, Louise Grillet - Wine Maker Veuve Clicquot

Before arriving for the Champagne Academy in 2025, I thought I understood Champagne. But this week showed me that Champagne is so much more than a wine region - it’s history, culture, hospitality, and people.

The lectures, the tastings, the cellar visits, the chalk cellars and crayeres, the incredible hospitality, the endless generosity shown to us everywhere we went. It was a completely immersive experience. One moment you’re discussing viticulture and sustainability, the next you’re tasting unicorn wines, in places you’ve only ever seen in textbooks and Decanter magazines.

Class of 2025 at the Graduation Ceremony at the end of the course

Our group arrived as individuals from different parts of the wine trade, but we left as lifelong friends and fellow ambassadors for Champagne and the Academy. And honestly, I can say without hesitation that this has been the best trip of my life. Not just because of the wines or the places we visited, but because of how inspiring it’s been. You leave with more knowledge, and definitely in my case, a completely renewed love and passion for Champagne and for this industry.

We were all deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Cellar Master Frédéric Panaïotis during our time in Champagne, even just as visitors to the community, we could feel the sense of loss, reminding us that behind every great Champagne house are people who dedicate their lives to this craft with enormous passion, talent, and commitment.

And I think that’s part of what made this week so meaningful. Because what makes the Academy truly special isn’t only the Champagne - it’s the people.

There were also so many highlights that it’s impossible to choose just one. The unforgettable dinners, the sunshine over the vineyards, the moments of complete awe walking through historic cellars and seeing bottles that have slept peacefully through two world wars and countless other pivotal global events, and of course the laughter - a lot of laughter, karaoke and chartreuse!

There are so many people to thank for making that happen. Firstly, thank you to all of the Champagne houses for welcoming us with such warmth and generosity throughout the week. The openness with which knowledge, wines, history, and hospitality were shared with us was truly extraordinary, and it’s something none of us will ever forget.

Thank you as well to the UK Champagne Academy committee for everything you do to keep this incredible programme alive and thriving in the UK. It’s clear how much work happens behind the scenes to create an experience like this, and all of us here are hugely grateful for it.

And I should also thank our chairman. Your leadership, humour, organisation, and passion helped make this week unforgettable, so thank you very much.

'Finally, I want to say something to the 2026 students.

You are about to experience something incredibly special: throw yourself into every single moment; ask every question; taste everything; take all the photos. Work hard – party hard, and trust me when I say this:

It is going to be one of the best weeks of your life.

Kayleigh Vidler, Student 2025

Students from Class of 2025 at this years London Dinner at Mandarin Oriental