Bollinger supports South African sommeliers

Champagne Bollinger is sponsoring a new, annual competition to support the growing number of professional sommeliers in South Africa.

A joint initiative set up by wine consultant Michael Fridjhon, and Vinimark The Wine Company, South Africa’s largest independent specialist wholesaler, the competition also marks a step towards promoting South Africa’s reputation as a producer of high quality wines.

The country has identified a shortage of skilled restaurant teams capable of communicating the quality and international context of its top wines. The Bollinger Exceptional Wine Service Award will build on existing efforts to close this gap.

The Cape Wine Academy has already created a qualification for wine service professionals, while WOSA invested in waiter training under the Fundi programme in the run up to last year’s FIFA World Cup.

The competition is open to those currently employed in the South African on-trade with a minimum of three years’ experience in wine sales and service. Judges will include Cape Wine Masters and internationally trained sommeliers based in South Africa.

Following regional screening rounds, the semi-finalists will fly to Cape Town in September for the final assessment. The winner will be announced at The Swartland Revolution in November and will receive a trip to France, including a visit to Bollinger.

The deadline for entries is 31 May 2011. For full details, visit www.wineserviceaward.co.za

Gabriel Savage, 26.04.2011