Yohann Jousselin named as UK’s Young Sommelier of the Year

Yohann Jousselin, head sommelier at the Hotel du Vin in Winchester, has been named the UK’s Young Sommelier of the Year.

Jousselin, who was runner-up in the UK Sommelier of the Year competition earlier this year, beat five other finalists to win the title.

Second place went to Erica Laler from Texture in London, with third place going to Daniel Kubin of  the two-Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in Great Milton, Oxfordshire.

Organised by the gastronomic society the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, the UK Young Sommelier of the Year competition tests sommeliers’ drinks knowledge, tasting and service skills. Tasks include decanting, Champagne service and food and wine pairing.

Gerard Basset, owner of Hotel TerraVina in Hampshire, who led the judging panel, said: A top sommelier has a great personality and good communication skills and also the ability to help a customer feel at ease without lecturing about wines or over-selling. Wine and food knowledge can be taught, but much of a sommelier’s skill is intuitive.”

Jousselin will now go on to represent Great Britain at the international final of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs International Young Sommelier competition in September, where he will compete against 30 winners of national finals across the globe.

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By Kerstin Kühn

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