Are you a young sommelier or wine aficionado between 21 and 30 years old, looking for the ultimate career break? Just imagine winning this competition and celebrating your success with a magnum of Moët &Chandon at the Maison in France, then travelling on to Barolo in Italy to expand your wine horizons.
This international #moetmoment of celebration may be closer than you think!
All you need to do to participate is sign up with SASA https://sommeliers.org.za/ and answer a series of questions to prove your overall wine knowledge of SA and international wines within the competition window of 4 to 14 August 2019. Take the first step now by completing the entry form from the SASA’s website https://forms.gle/eo6LPQrbvn9PtTmB8, then find out competition dates for the tasting and service task tests in your city and participate in the semi-finals and finals in Johannesburg on Wednesday 25 September!
Good luck – South Africa’s Best Young Sommelier 2019 could be you!
Be sure to register as a SASA member first, then enter here:
https://sommeliers.org.za/best-young-sommelier-south-africa-2019/
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
What do I need to know to enter?
You’ll need good overall wine knowledge of South African and international wines in terms of region, viticulture and vinification, as well as basic knowledge of beers, ciders, spirits, water, coffee and tea. There will be questions on wine styles, regions of origin and terminology, wine label information, wine regulations, wine storage and you’ll be tested on social skills as well as your ability to interact with the patron.
You can enter via this link: https://sommeliers.org.za/best-young-sommelier-south-africa-2019/
Do I need to be a qualified sommelier to participate?
You don’t need to have formal training or hold a sommelier qualification to join but must be employed in the service of food and wine at the time of entry. You must be an active SASA member or sign up on SASA’s website https://sommeliers.org.za/, before entry. You can be of any nationality but must be resident and employed in South Africa to participate.
How do I enter?
In the first round, you’ll put your knowledge to the test with short multiple choice and essay questions. To enter, simply fill in the online test on the SASA website anytime between the 5th and 14th of August. The final submission deadline is 23:59pm on Wednesday 14 August. Participants will be notified whether they have made it into the second round via email.
Where does the second round take place?
If you make it through to the next round, you’ll be invited to the quarter finals consisting of a test in 2 parts: service and tasting. Make sure that you are available on these dates ahead of the announcement of the quarter finalists since there will only be this chance available to qualify for the final round.
These tests will take place on:
- 19 August 2019: Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, Sandton Johannesburg
- 20 August 2019: Durban, venue to be confirmed
- 21 August 2019: Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, Cape Town
How about the semi-finals and the finals?
The semi-finals will take place on the morning of 25 September in Johannesburg at the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, from 9h00 onwards. You’ll be welcomed at the venue by a panel of judges, including:
- Lloyd Jusa, Head Sommelier and Director of The Saxon Collection Wine Programme.
- David Higgs, Celebrity Chef and Proprietor at Marble and Saint Restaurants.
- Wikus Human, Sommelier at Marble Restaurant and winner of the 2017 Moët &Chandon Best Young Sommelier Competition.
- Barry Scholfield, President of The South African Sommelier Association and partner in Somm Hospitality Enterprises.
- Cathy Marston, Master of Wine Student, owner of the International Wine Education Centre and provider of WSET education in Southern Africa.
- Joakim Blackadder Immenkamp - Winner of the Gaggenau Sommelier Awards 2018 and partner in Somm Hospitality Enterprises
- Desmond O'Connor, General Manager at Radisson Blu Hotel and Residence
During the course of the morning, these experts will judge your ability to taste and identify wine and spirits, test your theoretical knowledge and give you a service task, such as decanting wine or serving sparkling wine service. You’ll then get to relax during a lunch break.Only 3 of you will be selected for the finals which will take place that same afternoon.
The sponsors of the 2019 Best Young Sommelier Competition are Moët &Chandon, Coravin, Winterhalter, IWEC and Radisson
What will the winner receive?
An all expenses paid trip to France to visit Moët & Chandon Maison in Champagne followed by a week long visit to Barolo in Italy during July 2020 as one of less than 100 selected and invited sommeliers and wine experts from around the world that participates in the inaugural Collisioni with accommodation, meals, winery visits and seminars included. The winner also receives a bursary for WSET education from the IWEC and a coveted opportunity to compete in the Moët & Chandon Best Sommelier South Africa challenge in 2020. And of course a magnum of Moët & Chandon to toast to your celebratory #moëtmoment!
Celebrating the winners in a true #moëtmoment
At the end of the challenging final day of the competition, a winner, 1st runner up and 2nd runner up will be announced and we’ll toast them in a true #moëtmoment of celebration.
Can you see yourself, glass of champagne in hand, waiting for your name to be announced?
ABOUT SASA
The South African Sommeliers Association (SASA) has established itself as an integral part of the food and wine industry in South Africa. The movement was started in 2010 when a group of same minded individuals got together to form an association to help uplift and promote the service of wine in South Africa. SASA is a non-profit organisation and act as a contact and network portal for local and international sommeliers.
The association facilitates training through its APP’s and mentors aspiring individuals to guarantee the continuous development of professional standards of the highest level. SASA is a member of the ASI (the international sommelier association) and therefore act as an official representative of its professional membership within and outside of South Africa.
Candidates can enter the Moët &Chandon Best Young Sommelier competition on https://sommeliers.org.za/best-young-sommelier-south-africa-2019/