The Competition
In 2007 the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs inaugurated the annual “International Jeunes Sommeliers Competition” to offer young sommeliers the opportunity to present their skills and "savoir faire" under highly competitive, intense and grueling testing conditions.
The Competition has the goal of developing the expertise of young wine and spirit professionals with a special emphasis placed on service skills.
The focus of the Competition is not on those already at or approaching the top of their profession (e.g. those working towards or holding the Advanced Sommelier or Master Sommelier qualifications with the Court of Master Sommeliers) but at those young people who are still developing their skills (e.g. at the level of Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers) and those for whom participating in an international competition would bring great benefit, both from an educational point of view as well as one of broadening their experience.
Prizes
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National Champion $4,000 plus funding to cover attendance at the International Finals in September
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Second Place $2,000
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Third Place $1,000
Competition time frame 2023
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Early May – written tests to select candidates for the National Finals
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National Finals Sydney 20 June
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International Finals in Ljubljana, Slovenia between 12 and 17 September (All interstate finalists will receive an airfare and a night’s accommodation in Sydney)
Will you be the next Australian winner ?
Eligibility
The Junior Sommeliers Competition is open to any individual who:
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Is sponsored by an active Professional member of la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. Said Professional being a member of the Chaîne in good standing for at least two months.
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Has an interest in the wine and crafted beverage industry and who must file an application with the designated person in the participating country.
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Is at least 21 (twenty-one) years of age and will not be older than 28 (twenty eight) on the advertised start date of the International Final in the year in which he/she is participating.
Click here to visit the International Competition Website
2023 Competition
‘Gianmattia Giordano from Rockpool to represent Australia in Ljubljana, Slovenia in 2023!
In a tightly marked and hard fought competition, Gianmattia Giordano from Rockpool narrowly won the right to represent Australia in 2023. Congratulations to Gianmattia. And well done to our other candidates: Clotilde Candusso, Abhi Ayare & Isaac Pockney
Of course, this event would not be possible without the support of our judges.
Our sincere thanks to:
Franck Moreau MS: Group General Manager – Beverage Merivale, Sydney NSW
Amanda Yallop: Wine Director - Fink
Andrea Pritzker MW: Founder Wine in Tuition
Helena Edgerton: Lecturer and WSET Diploma Coordinator TAFE
A special thank you to the Sydney Wine Academy at TAFE Ryde.’
2019 Competition
(Covid 19 restrictions precluded our participation in 2020, 2021)
Congratulations to Andres Aragon from the Merivale Group who achieved a Bronze Medal at the International Young Sommeliers Competition held in Seoul, South Korea in September 2019.
The finalists
Service component
Andres pours 14 glasses of champagne
Why should you enter the Junior 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 International finals.
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Improve considerably your knowledge of wines and fine beverages and increase your service skills.
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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.
Will YOU be our next international winner?
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 2019 Andres Aragon Achieved a Bronze in Seoul, South Korea, in 2018 in Mexico City Thibault 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 Soulière 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.
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, of this experience down under!
Pier-Alexis Soulière (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 a number of years ago. I have visited so many wine regions since then. I am still in touch with other competitors and it feels like I have friends everywhere in the world!
