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Longuere takes up the baton for UK sommeliers
Matthieu Longuere MS, head sommelier at London’s La Trompette, has been chosen by the Academy of Food & Wine Service as UK representative for the bi-annual Meilleur Sommelier d’Europe competition.
Longuere will compete against some of the best sommeliers on the continent at the event organised by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), taking place in Strasbourg this November.
“The win comes as a real surprise as the competitors were all strong,” remarked Longuere, adding: “I’m delighted to be representing the Academy of Food & Wine Service as well as the UK in Strasbourg. It’s wonderful.”
In order to be considered for the competition, all candidates must previously have been named AFWS UK Sommelier of the Year. Longuere beat James Payne from the Ardeonaig Hotel & Restaurant, Perthshire, as well as Christopher Delalonde MS from Sarment Wines, current holder of the AFWS title.
The qualification round involved in-depth examinations of the candidates’ knowledge, including blind tastings and a food and wine pairing exercise as well as opening, decanting and serving a bottle of Château Montrose 1999 for five guests.
The ASI Meilleur Sommelier d’Europe competition has been in existence since 1998. The UK has a title to defend after sommelier Isa Bal MS of The Fat Duck claimed the prize back in 2008.
Marinel Fitzsimons, 24.08.2010