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The results were announced on Sunday the 12th: Raimonds Tomsons from Latvia was awarded World’s Best Sommelier of 2023. Luxembourg’s best sommelier, Grégory Mio, unfortunately did not make it past the quarterfinals.
Every three years, the International Sommelier Association (ASI), organises the World’s Best Sommelier contest, which came into existence in 1969. The best sommeliers around the world take part in what is considered the most prestigious sommelier competition in the world. This year, the competition took place in Paris, from the 7th to the 12th of February. 68 countries all over the world sent their carefully selected and well-prepared sommelier to this renowned contest.
The candidates must know everything about wines, their production areas, their characteristics according to terroirs, vinification choices and the impact of vintages. They also need to be agile with food and wine pairings, improvising, assessing which aromas might be compatible or not with the dish as well as the wine. Nonetheless, their expertise should not only be limited to wine: from rum, whisky, ratafia to sake, baiju, cognac… No question shall remain unanswered! The competition also puts emphasis on the candidates’ appearance as of today, sommeliers are expected to display style, spontaneity, and eloquence to convey their passion for wine.
The 2023 edition saw the Latvian Raimonds Tomsons crowned World’s Best Sommelier. Nina Jensen from Denmark took the 2nd place, while Reese Choi from China came 3rd. Luxembourg also sent its best sommelier, Grégory Mio, who sadly did not make it past the quarterfinals. The French chef-sommelier of the group Le Place d’Armes (including Hôtel Le Place d’Armes, La Cristallerie, Le Plëss, Café de Paris or Bar 18) was a worthy representative of our beautiful country, nonetheless. We interviewed him last year when he won the title of Best Sommelier of Luxembourg.
Photo: ASI & HRVPROD