To claim the coveted title in Paris, Latvian Raimonds Tomsons showcased his exceptional palate and extensive knowledge.
Raimonds Tomsons from Latvia
Pascaline Lepeltier was a beloved and highly regarded sommelier in France, and her participation in the Best Sommelier of the World competition was highly anticipated. The last time France won the competition was in 2000, and the competition hadn’t been held in France since 1989. Pascaline was admired for her intelligence, charisma, and new vision for sommeliers, and her fans were eager to see her win.
To become a sommelier, candidates must demonstrate a wide range of skills and knowledge, including blind tastings, wine commentary, language proficiency, and cocktail making. The competition included challenging tests such as blind tastings of wines aged in different barrels, identifying spirits and non-alcoholic drinks, and creating cocktails with missing ingredients.
During the final, candidates were tested on their ability to serve customers in a simulated restaurant setting, blind taste white wines and propose food pairings, and identify errors in a wine list. These challenges highlighted the high level of demand and concentration required for the profession.
Despite Pascaline’s popularity, she, unfortunately, missed a key challenge in the semi-finals and was unable to continue in the competition. However, her defeat did not diminish her fans’ admiration and affection for her, and she remains a beloved figure in the world of sommeliers.
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