Somms wanted for 2016 Ruinart Challenge

UK sommeliers are being invited to take part in the The Ruinart Challenge 2016 for the chance to win a four-day educational trip to Champagne.

Registrations are open now with the deadline for entries Tuesday 29 March 2016

Adapted from the original Ateliers Ruinart initiative, which launched in the UK market four years ago, the Ruinart Challenge is an international training and mentoring programme run in partnership with the Court of Master Sommeliers.

A series of training days, hosted by Ruinart cellar master Frédéric Panaïotis, will be offered to twenty sommeliers in each market. In the UK, Gerard Basset OBE MS MW MBA and Ronan Sayburn MS will join the workshop, which will take place at Moët Hennessy UK in on Tuesday, 5 April.

The most talented sommelier from each workshop will be invited on a four-day trip to Champagne with Frédéric Panaïotis from 5-8 July 2016, offering sommeliers the chance to immerse themselves in the world of Champagne.

“Ruinart is committed to supporting the global sommelier community through career development and further education”, said Panaïotis. “We’re delighted to be working with the Court of Master Sommeliers to bring The Ruinart Challenge to the UK and I’m looking forward to seeing the high level of competition in London on 5th April”.

“Training within the industry is vital and The Ruinart Challenge stands out from other initiatives due to its networking opportunities and access to the well-known faces in the sommelier world – the benefits of this program are invaluable”, added Basset.

Registrations are now open for 20 chosen sommeliers to take part in the one-day event. The deadline for entry is Tuesday 29 March. For more information on how to enter click here, or email ruinart@culturalcomms.co.uk.