Xavier Rousset

This dynamic, energetic sommelier of French origin fell in love with wine at the tender age of 16 following a visit to a winery in Collioure. Years later he asked famous sommelier Gerard Basset, the founder of Hotel Du Vin, to work there one summer. The rest is history.

Aged only 23 he was declared Master Sommelier of the Year, making him the youngest sommelier ever, and he has been lucky enough to work at some of the most highly acclaimed restaurants in England, such as the Hotel du Vin restaurant in Bristol, where he made Head Sommelier, and Raymond Blanc's Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons, with two Michelin stars. His first solo project, the Texture restaurant, earned a Michelin star in 2007. After a period of travel, he taught at the Court of Master Sommeliers, until he opened Blandford Comptoir in Marylebone in 2015, and Comptoir Café & Wine in Mayfair shortly afterwards. In 2016 he launched the Cabotte – Burgundy Wine Restaurant in the City of London, alongside his business partner Gearoid Devaney. 

Together Rousset and Devaney launched Trade, the first private club for members of the catering industry, which can now be downloaded as an app. A comprehensive ecosystem of news items, events, webinars and a list of job offers for the community. His more recent businesses are The Black Book, a wine bar in Frith St, Soho, and Old Brompton, a wine and cheese bar in South Kensington.