Basset flies flag for British sommeliers

Gerard Basset MS MW has been selected to represent the UK in the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) World’s Best Sommelier Competition.

Basset fought off stiff competition from top London sommeliers, Matthieu Longuere of La Trompette and Nicolas Clerc of Pont de la Tour, to win a place for the sixth time in his career.

Basset, co-founder of the Hotel du Vin chain, is currently owner of Hotel TerraVina in Hampshire.

The ASI lays out strict criteria for entry, with contestants required to have already won a national competition and must be able to compete in a second language.

The qualifying round took place last week at London’s Royal Garden Hotel in front of judges from the Academy of Food & Wine and Brian Julyan, chief executive of the Court of Master Sommeliers Worldwide.

Having been placed second three times, Basset expressed his determination to scoop first prize this time, saying: “It’s a big commitment – I will put in about 20 hours a week from now until next April – but it’s a huge title to win.”

The main competition takes place in Chile from 10-16 April 2010, attracting entries from each of the ASI’s 41 member countries. Candidates must undergo both written and practical exams, including blind tastings and role plays designed to test their knowledge of wine, spirits, other beverages, food pairings and even cigars.

Three finalists are then selected to battle it out for the prestigious prize, with the announcement being made at a gala dinner on the same day.

Gabriel Savage, 15.09.09