Le Best Sommelier Competition 2019

Calling All Sommeliers!
Win a Trip to France!


Presented By:
The French Ministry of Agriculture

Sponsored By:
Sponsors

About Le Best Sommelier Competition

Le Best Sommelier Competition focuses both on theory and service. Sommelier’s ability to translate their knowledge and demonstrate it to a ‘consumer’ is of utmost importance. Focused solely on French Wines, there will be three regional competitions with two semi-finalists in each, and a final competition in NYC January 2020 with the six semi-finalists followed by a celebratory party.

Grand prize: Win a trip for 2 to France

The Test

Theory test and blind taste 5 wines followed by a 10-15 minute service test judged by 3 beverage professionals. The wines will all be French.

Each will be scored on ability to match the wine to the taste profile/request of the consumer. Scoring combines theory (30%), blind tasting (30%) and service (40%).

Each event will end with a celebratory cocktail hour with wines poured by Taub Family Selections

The Judges

Washington DC

Rob Morin
Wine Director, The Partisan

Tim McKirdy
Staff Writer, VinePair

Keith Beavers
Tastings Director, VinePair
Seattle

Zach Geballe
Wine Educator for Tom Douglas Seattle Kitchen Restaurant Group

Tanya Morning Star Darling
Certified Wine Educator, French Wine Scholar, Italian Wine Scholar, Spanish Wine Scholar

Keith Beavers
Tastings Director, VinePair
New York City

Jeff Porter
Sommelier

Erica Duecy
Chief Content Officer & EIC, VinePair

Keith Beavers
Tastings Director, VinePair
Final Judges

Andrea Morris
Sommelier

Adam Teeter
Co-Founder & CEO, VinePair

Keith Beavers
Tastings Director, VinePair

The Finale

The ‘Final’ competition. Each of the 6 Somms will come to NYC, will be tested/graded just as they were at the regional level. After the final testing, there will be an after party for 50 people.

Schedule of Events

DECEMBER 9TH, 2019
Washington DC Competition

JANUARY 8TH, 2020
Seattle Competition

JANUARY 13TH, 2020
New York City Competition

JANUARY 27TH, 2020
New York City FINALE & Closing party. Six finalists to compete for an all-inclusive trip to France!

Sponsors

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Liz Cronin
VP Partnerships, VinePair
liz@vinepair.com