Ruinart Sommelier Challenge 2024 opens for entries

Champagne house Ruinart has announced the 2024 UK edition of its Sommelier Challenge is now open for entries.

The eighth edition of the UK Ruinart Sommelier Challenge will take place at 67 Pall Mall on 20 May.

From the list of entrants, 30 candidates will be selected by a panel of judges headed by Ruinart chef de caves Frédéric Panaïotis, alongside 2023 challenge winner Matteusz Kowlczyk, and Gareth Ferreira MS, head sommelier at Core by Clare Smyth.

The sommeliers will then blind taste a series of wines, writing tasting notes, serving suggestions, and where they think the wine originated from.

Panaïotis said of the challenge: “This event, running for seven years now, is a highlight of our calendar, and we are so proud of the incredible community of sommeliers we have built.”

“This year’s theme, Phys behind the Fizz – with a focus on the science behind effervescence, is, quite literally, at the heart of Champagne wines,” he continued, “so it will be hugely exciting, and emotional for me to help the rising stars of the UK wine trade learn more about it. We understand that there is so much more to wine than can be learnt from books, online or even classic wine tastings.”

“It’s about a connection and a deeper understanding, and the Challenge aims to bring to sommeliers just that. Although this Challenge has been able to select the greatest talents, we aim to help educate, develop and promote the wine community through the Challenge masterclass and tasting on the day,” Panaïotis added.

The winning UK sommelier will then join the all-expenses paid trip to Champagne alongside winners from each edition, which is being run across 15 countries worldwide this year.

The deadline for entry is 5 May. To find out more, click here.