London-based sommelier Dominique Laporte was crowned Le Meilleur Sommelier de France in Avignon on Monday.
The 23 year-old competition included rigorous tests such as food and wine matching, blind tasting and decanting as well as serving two tables of ‘clients’, one English and one French.
The final part would have been no problem for Laporte, 31, who is currently the assistant Sommelier at London’s Great Eastern Hotel and is used to serving a variety of nationalities.
‘I am absolutely delighted,’ said Loic Mallet, Head Sommelier, ‘Dominique worked very hard for it and he is an asset to the Great Eastern’.
Le Meilleur Sommelier de France is part of a series of events at Discover Rhone venture in which 1200 professionals took part in tastings and seminars throughout the Rhone Valley.
Written by Lalage Snow
