A very important part of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs activities is the annual International Young Sommeliers Competition (YSC).
2019 Competition
Congratulations to the finalists who competed in the 2019 Competition held in Brisbane on 26 May 2019.
The results:
1 Andres Aragon: Merivale
2 Roberto Lombardo: Dinner by Heston
3 Miguel Giteau: Vue de Monde
4 Riccardo Molfetta: Jonah's Whale Beach
Andres will represent Australia at the International Finals to be held from 21 To 22 Sep 2019 In Seoul, Korea
A clear goal of the YSC is to provide mentoring, encouragement & support for the young professionals who will be the best sommeliers of the future. The Competition offers young sommeliers the opportunity to present their skills and "savoir-faire" under highly competitive, intense and gruelling testing conditions.
The Competition is a unique opportunity for each entrant develop new skills, meet like minded young professionals as well as leading industry personalities, develop high level networks that can lead to new and exciting job opportunities.
This competition is open to any qualified individual who is sponsored by an active professional member of the Chaîne, has an interest in the wine and crafted beverage industry and is a least 21 and has not yet reached his or her 31st birthday by the date of the International finals.
Will you be the next Australian winner ?
Why should you enter the Young Sommelier Competition? Because you could:
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Win substantial cash and product prizes.
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Enjoy interstate and international travel, including to the finals in Seoul, South Korea.
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Improve considerably your knowledge of wines and fine beverages.
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Meet many interesting and useful industry professionals, have many networking opportunities and make friends with like-minded professionals.
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Improve substantially your future employment prospects in the best establishments in Australia and worldwide as your participation demonstrates to any future employer that:
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You take your profession and the industry seriously.
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You have ambition and that you are up for a challenge facing competitors from around Australia and eventually around the world.
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You are willing to learn to improve your knowledge and proficiency.
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You can be competitive and a high achiever.
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The format of the competition will be based on the Advanced Sommelier Exam conducted by the Court of Master Sommeliers. The Practical and Blind exam format may be modified as deemed necessary by the Judges.
Competition time frame.
There are three stages in the Young Sommeliers competition in your state a 40 minute theory examination. Australian National Competition final where the winners of regional competitions are invited to compete in a written theory test, a blind test and a service test.
International Final.
Theory Testing
The Theory section will consist of a written theory exam that may include short answers, multiple choice or essay questions. Knowledge in all areas of wine production, laws, viticulture and vinification, as well as spirits, beers, ales, ciders, port and sherry may be tested.
The Theory section will have a maximum one-hour time limit.
Practical Skills Testing
The Practical Skills section is a station-based service performance exam that may include Decanting, Champagne Service, appropriate glassware choices, blind Spirit Identification of crafted beverages (by nose) and other real-world tasks.
Blind Tasting
The Blind Tasting section is a timed blind tasting of three or four wines. Scoring will be done on the Master Sommelier deductive tasting method. Scores will be assigned for assessment by sight, nose, and palate and by initial and final conclusions of each wine.
Australia has been highly successful within the International Competition in recent years winning a medal every year for the past 7 years, testimony to the amazing talent here. In 2018 in Mexico City Thibaut Broussier achieved Second place and in 2017 Mikael Grou also achieved Silver. In 2016 in Vaduz, Emmanuel Cadieu from Est Restaurant achieved third place. In 2015 in Adelaide Mattia Cianca from Attica Restaurant came third. In 2014 Australia took out Gold in Copenhagen, when Pier-Alexis Souliere from Est. was crowned World Champion. In 2013 in Washington, DC Jarrod Mills also of Est. came in third and Yuki Hirose of Rockpool Bar and Grill achieved third place in Cape Town in 2012. Such a success rate is testament to the high standards set by Australian establishments.
Will YOU be our next international winner and Superstar?
For further information
Contact us for further information
Testimonials by previous contestants:
Mikaël Grou (Silver 2017)
To develop my skills La Chaîne did an amazing job, organizing trainings with Master Sommeliers, support from the previous competitors and support always, from [La Chaîne]. Now thanks to my Australian experience, I’ve been hired by the Dorchester in London because, but not only, had Because of this experience of the down under!
Pier-Alexis Souliere (Gold 2014)
I truly believe those competitions are there to showcase the true professional in all of us that devote love to the craft of Sommellerie.
Yuki Hirose (Bronze 2012)
The competition and visiting Cape Town were amazing experiences for me and still remember clearly even it was number of years ago. I have visited so many wine regions since then.
I am still in touch with other competitors and feels like I have friends everywhere in the world!