A global benchmark for sommeliers
Held every three years by the International Sommelier Association (ASI), the best sommelier of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East competition is one of the world’s most prestigious events in the wine industry. It challenges top sommeliers from across these regions to demonstrate an impressive array of skills, including expert wine knowledge, service precision, and the ability to remain composed under pressure.
The 2024 edition, hosted at Belgrade’s National Theatre, brought together 41 competitors from a variety of countries. After fierce quarter- and semi-finals, three finalists emerged to compete in a captivating final round. This year’s title went to Estonian Mikk Parre, followed by France’s Pascaline Lepeltier—the only woman in the final—and Lithuanian sommelier Martynas Pravilonis, who secured third place.
Final preparations at KEDGE Wine School
Pascaline’s final training sessions took place just days before the competition on KEDGE Wine School’s Paris campus. Under the expert guidance of David Biraud, she participated in an intensive programme replicating the competition’s challenges. These sessions included:
- Rigorous theoretical exams on viticulture and oenology
- Blind tastings of exceptional wines, including a curated lineup of nine premium bottles to refine her palate
- Simulated service scenarios designed to replicate complex, high-pressure interactions
- Food and wine pairing workshops exploring innovative and harmonious combinations
- Visual recognition exercises, testing her ability to identify key figures, regions, and techniques in the world of wine
This meticulous preparation ensured Pascaline approached the final with heightened confidence and technical mastery.
KEDGE Wine School: a leader in excellence
Under David Biraud’s leadership, KEDGE Wine School has cemented its reputation as a hub of excellence in sommelier education and wine training. Acting as both mentor and coach, Biraud’s work with Pascaline Lepeltier exemplifies the school’s mission to nurture talent and guide professionals to the pinnacle of their careers. This achievement further highlights KEDGE Wine School’s dedication to supporting international excellence through its world-class training programmes and commitment to advancing the sommelier profession.
