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Ruinart Challenge winners announced
The winner and two runner-ups from the Ruinart Challenge 2016, which tested sommeliers in their blind tasting abilities and wine knowledge, have been revealed.
Gareth Ferreira, assistant head sommelier at 67 Pall Mall, won the Ruinart Challenge 2016
Gareth Ferreira, assistant head sommelier at 67 Pall Mall, won this year’s contest, which was held on Tuesday 5 April at Moët Hennessey’s UK headquarters in London.
The contest, run in partnership with the Court of Master Sommeliers, was hosted by Ruinart cellar master Frédéric Panaïotis. Gerard Basset MS MW and Ronan Sayburn MS made up the Ruinart Challenge jury.
Participating sommeliers were tested in their ability in a blind tasting of four different varieties of Chardonnay, and required to demonstrate their knowledge on the topic in a technical training session.
As the winner of the challenge, Gareth will be joining Frédéric Panaïotis on a four-day educational trip to Champagne from Tuesday 5 to Friday 8 July.
During this time he will be “immersed in the world of Champagne and experience rare tastings alongside different producers, varieties and wines, and also benefit from invaluable networking opportunities with other Ruinart Challenge winners from around the world”, the Champagne brand said.
Two runners-up were also announced: Antonin Dubuis, assistant head sommelier at The Greenhouse Mayfair, and Julia Sewell, sommelier at The Fat Duck. They were each rewarded with a magnum of Ruinart Rosé.
Mr Panaïotis said: “Ruinart is committed to supporting the global sommelier community through career development and further education.
“Each participant demonstrated their knowledge and passion on the subject highlighting that Champagne is not just a pleasure but also an artifact of skillful craftsmanship and heritage”.
Gerard Basset said: “Training within the industry is vital and The Ruinart Challenge is a sensational initiative due to both its networking opportunities and access to the well-known faces in the sommelier world – the benefits of this programme are invaluable.”
The contest, run in partnership with the Court of Master Sommeliers, was hosted by Ruinart cellar master Frédéric Panaïotis (far left). Gerard Basset MS MW and Ronan Sayburn MS (far right) made up the Ruinart Challenge jury