The 10th Final of the International Jeunes Sommeliers Competition proved to be the most successful to date with 16 contestants from around the world, Asia being particularly well represented.

The Principality of Liechtenstein with its impressive mountains and especially its fantastic vineyards made a perfect location in which to hold this event. The hospitality, weather and facilities in the capital city, Vaduz, were outstanding.

In spite of the relatively late change of location the competition and the events surrounding it all went very much according to plan. Working with the Competition Committee members (Klaus Tritschler and Marie Jones), Bailli Délégué Daniel Jäggi and his wife, Chancelier Strit-Doris Jäggi-Lind, together with their team, did their utmost to ensure that everything went smoothly from airport transfers through to the dinners, visits and the competition itself.

After two days of intense testing – both theory and practical – the team of judges headed by Officier Maître Sommelier Brian Julyan, MS, CEO of the Court of Master Sommeliers Europe, confirmed that Martin Sheehan-Stross, representing the Bailliage of USA was the winner. The Runner-up was Romain Bourger from the Bailliage of Great Britain and in Third Place was Emmanuel Cadieu from Australia.

Judges and aficionados alike agreed that the standard of the competition continues to reach new heights. In one of the closest finals yet, Martin came out on top in the face of stiff opposition from highly motivated and knowledgeable rivals for the title.

The Awards Ceremony on the Friday night saw the induction of all the competitors as Sommelier members of the Chaîne. Prizes generously provided by our international sponsors included a Wempe Zeitmeister wristwatch, a 6-litre bottle of Irvine Wines’ famous Australian Merlot, magnums and bottles of champagne from Laurent-Perrier and also from Louis Roederer.

Organised at a National Bailliage level Swarovski then presented all the competitors with a watch. Concluding the Ceremony the opportunity was taken to acknowledge the support of the team of judges with a formal presentation of a certificate and a commemorative medal.

But it was not all testing and formality for the competitors. On the Thursday afternoon a Sommeliers’ race through the streets of Vaduz – won by Fruzsina Nagy from Hungary – was rivalrous but in a fun way. That evening an informal “Beer and Dine” event at a local brewery made for a relaxed time before the rigours of the Final again on the Friday.

Marie Jones
International Vice-President

Photos taken and provided by Paul Trummer, www.travel-lightart.com

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Competitors (listed A-Z by Bailliage)
Australia - Emmanuel Cadieu
Canada - Seamus Dooley
Denmark - Nina Jensen
Finland - Chien Liew
Germany - Lisa Bader
Great Britain - Romain Bourger
Hungary - Fruzsina Nagy
Korea - Seongkook Kim
Norway - Camilla Tufte
Russia - Alexander Rassadkin
Singapore - Eng Soon Tan
South Africa - Ané Wait
Switzerland - Réza Nahaboo
Taiwan - Ching Hsuan Kuo
Turkey - Alp Açik
USA - Martin Sheehan-Stross

Panel of Judges (all of whom are Officier Maître Sommelier members)
Brian Julyan, MS
Bryan Dawes, MS
Frank Kämmer, MS

International Jeunes Sommeliers Competition Committee
Grand Argentier Joseph M Girard, Chair
Marie Jones, International Vice-President
Klaus Tritschler, Member of the Conseil d’Administration