A YORK MAN has switched from grain to grape after being awarded £1,000 to develop his knowledge of wine.

Mark Londsale, of Tadcaster Road, gained top marks in a wine exam and received the scholarship to travel to foreign vineyards.

Mark, 38, was a master brewer at John Smith's Brewery, in Tadcaster, for 17 years before making the switch to wine and joining Waverley Vintners three months ago.

After coming in the top one per cent of people taking the national Wine and Spirits Education Trust Advanced Certificate exam, he was awarded the money to develop his appreciation of wine worldwide.

Mark said: "After 17 years in the brewing industry I quite fancied a change, and wine is an area that is expanding quite quickly.

"I've only been in the job for a few months and I'm already a bit of a wine bore.

"The grant is intended to expand my knowledge and be an investment in myself. Chile is a very up-and-coming market, so I'm hoping to use the money to go there next year."

Updated: 10:34 Tuesday, December 07, 2004