UK ambassador for Pays d’Oc announced 

Inter Oc, the trade association for Pays d’Oc IGP wines in southern France, has announced the winner of the first Pays d’Oc IGP Ambassador of the Year for 2014/2015 as Fiona Taylor from Christopher Piper Wines.

The new UK ambassador for the Pays d’Oc IGP is Fiona Taylor of Christopher Piper Wines.

In a final held on Monday 15^th September at The Only Running Footman in Mayfair, Fiona Taylor, Charlie Foley and Jeremie Guiraud undertook three challenges which tested their knowledge of the denomination in a series of multiple choice and written questions, followed by a tasting and a final interview with a jury of industry professionals.

Inter Oc were looking for an individual who “truly embodies the diversity and originality of Pays d’Oc IGP and could explain and share its spirit and key messages in the UK market”.

Fiona will now be given the opportunity to represent the UK as a member of the Grand Jury of the Pays d’Oc IGP Collection 2015 and, for the next year, she will be acting as the UK spokesperson for Pays d’Oc IGP.

Commenting on the announcement, Florence Barthès, General Director of Inter Oc said: “We are delighted to announce Fiona Taylor as the Pays d’Oc IGP Ambassador of the Year for the UK market.”

“We had excellent candidates for this competition and were thrilled to be able to meet Charlie Foley and Jeremie Guiraud, top choice finalists who impressed us with their enthusiasm and knowledge about the Pays d’Oc IGP label,” said Barthès .

“We look forward to working with Fiona over the next coming year, and are convinced that this will be a great collaboration.”

The finalists (L-R) were Fiona Taylor, Charlie Foley and Jeremie Guiraud.

The judges consisted of Brieshea Cowley, Communications & Marketing for Inter Oc, Simon Howland from the drinks business and Kate Beveridge and Chloé Delanne from Westbury Communications.

Since its creation in 1987, Pays d’Oc IGP has come to incorporate over 20,000 growers and, in 2013, produced over 840 million bottles.