Sommelier of the Year semi-finalists named

By Harpers Editorial

Published: 27 March, 2013

The Academy of Food & Wine Service has announced the 10 semi-finalists of this year's Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2013.

The semi-finalists were whittled down from 89 sommeliers at the regional finals held simultaneously in Bristol, London, Manchester, Tunbridge Wells and Edinburgh on Monday. A record number of sommeliers entered this year's competition, which is judged on wine and drink expertise, ability to deal with customers and front-of-house service skills.

The 10 semi-finalists will compete against each other and last year's runners up at London's Madarin Oriental on May 28, with the panel of judges chaired by Gerard Bassett.

The winner will be taken on a trip to Maison Moët & Chandon to taste the Grand Vintage collections with chef de cave Benoît Gouez, while the three finalists will be given a 12 month membership of The Wine Guild.

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

"We were delighted with the level of entries this year, which have come from a broad range of establishments across the UK. This demonstrates a strong and growing interest in sommellerie and the wine skills and knowledge involved with the profession," said Elsa Corbineau, marketing director for sponsor Moët & Chandon.

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