World's best sommelier competition: the French hope!

French candidate qualifies for semi-finals

We've reached the semi-finals of the World's Best Sommelier Competition. The competition takes place in Antwerp. French candidate David Biraud has qualified for the semi-finals of the World's Best Sommelier Competition. Results to follow today on LARVF. The 3 finalists will be announced on Friday March 15.

 

The world's best sommelier competition

Do you know this famous competition? It was created in 1969. It is organized every three years by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale ASI*. Whoever wins this great tournament is awarded a sacred reputation. I don't need to tell you how difficult the stages are! Blind tasting, 15- to 16-minute report on the wines. First of all, the selection process is based solely on obtaining the title of Best Sommelier in one's own country.

• The tests begin with 1h30 of theory, including 50 and 100 knowledge questions on wine, spirits, coffee, beer, teas, cigars, ciders, liqueurs (and even water!). Questions also cover the history of wine-producing countries, oenology, vineyards and grape varieties, winemaking techniques, classification, climate and its influence on production, and tasting principles. That's a lot to know!
• Then come the blind tasting tests with countdown.
• Corrections to wine lists.
• Matching food and wine.
• Table service.
• The final! The 3 best candidates are pitted against each other. They take it in turns to blind-taste 3 wines and name 2 of them. But that's not all! Origin, exact appellation and vintage must also be mentioned.

 

Who won the 2016 World's Best Sommelier Competition?

The winner of the last competitionin 2016 was a Swede: Mr. Jon Arivd Rosengren. Here's someone determined, talented and an expert in the field. David Biraud was France's greatest hope this time too, and he left his mark well, reaching second place on the podium (also a finalist in 2010, so is 2019 the year!)! Julie Dupouy, on the right, wore Ireland's colors and took third place, although she was born in France!