Chaîne des Rôtisseurs

A very important part of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs activities is the annual International Young Sommeliers Competition (YSC). La Chaîne invites young Australian-based sommeliers to compete in our YSC 2019. Entry is free.

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 end of September 2019

• Win substantial cash and product prizes. The NSW and National winners receive respectively $1500 and $3000 cash and a range of beautiful wine related products.

• Enjoy interstate and international travel, including to the finals in Seoul, South Korea.

• Improve considerably your knowledge of wines and fine beverages.

• Meet many interesting and useful industry professionals, have many networking opportunities and make friends with like-minded professionals.

• Improve substantially your future employment prospects in the best establishments in Australia and worldwide as your participation demonstrates to any future employer that:

- Your take your profession and the industry seriously.

- You have ambition and that you are up for a challenge facing competitors from around Australia and eventually around the world.

- You are willing to learn to improve your knowlege and proficiency.

- You can be competitive and a high achiever.

The State winners will receive prizes allocated by each State Chapter and a fully paid trip to the National Final in Brisbane. The Australian National winner will receive a cash prize of $3000 and a fully paid trip to Seoul in South Korea to compete in the international finals in September 2019. Other prizes include $500 and $250 for second and third places respectively.

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 2019

15 April 2019: in your state a 40 minute theory examination.

26 May 2019 in Brisbane: 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.

21-22 September, Seoul South Korea. International Final.

Theroy 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.

Pratical 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.

Judges

The Australian Chief Judge is Franck Moreau MS assisted by Sebastian Crowther MS and well known wine professional and media personality Tyson Stelzer.

The International competition will be judged by an international panel chaired by Brain Juylan MS, Officier Maitre Sommelier, La Chaîne and President and CFO, Court of Master Sommeliers (UK).

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