AFWS names semi-finalists for Moët UK Sommelier of the Year
The sommeliers through to the semi-finals of this year's Moët UK Sommelier of the Year have been announced by the Academy of Food & Wine Service (AFWS).
This follows yesterday's regional finals, held simultaneously in Bristol, London, Manchester, Tunbridge Wells and Edinburgh. This year there were a record number of entries, with 89 making it through to the regional finals.
The 2013 semi-finalists are:
Romain Bourger, the Vineyard at Stockcross, Newbury
Tobias Brauweiler, the Ritz, London
Remi Fischer, Gleneagles, Perthshire
Michael Jenni, Launceston Place, London
Kathrine Larson, Orrery, London
Tanguy Martin, Hotel TerraVina, Hampshire
Stefan Neumann, the Fat Duck, Berkshire
Marcin Oziebly, Sam's Chop House, Manchester
Mark Perlaki, Hotel du Vin, Harrogate
Stuart Skea, 21212 Restaurant, Edinburgh
All 10 go forward to the semi-finals at London's Mandarin Oriental on 28 May, along with last year's runners-up, Laurent Richet of Restaurant Sat Bains in Nottingham and Clement Robert of Medlar Restaurant, London.
At the semi-final, just three sommeliers will be selected to compete in the grand final later that day.
Now in its 34th year the Moët UK Sommelier of the Year competition seeks to find the best wine waiter or sommelier, based on wine and drink expertise, ability to deal with customers, and front-of-house service skills. Last year's winner was Jan Konetzki of Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.
The panel of expert judges at the semi-finals and final will once again be chaired by current world champion sommelier and hotelier Gerard Bassett OBE, MW, MS.
The winner of the Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2013 title wins a unique trip to Maison Moët & Chandon to taste the Grand Vintage collections with chef de cave Benoît Gouez. In addition, the Boutinot Bursary will fund an all-expenses-paid trip to visit the Southern Rhône Valley during the 2013 harvest, giving the winner a wonderful opportunity to learn more about this stunning area.
All three finalists will be given a 12-month complimentary membership of The Wine Guild of the United Kingdom, including an invitation to its annual winter banquet held at Vintners' Hall in London, the historic home of the UK's wine trade.
