Dynamic French Sommelier, Mikaël Grou has been crowned winner of the 3rd Biennial International Gaggenau Sommelier Awards, 2018.
Finalists across France, the Region of Greater China, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom were all in attendance at the Chinese capital, Beijing to battle it out for the highly sought-after international title following a six-month global competition.
The competition, initiated by Gaggenau to promote the brand’s links to viniculture and designed to discover and celebrate burgeoning young talent from around the world, sees six finalists competing for the Gaggenau Sommelier Awards 2018 trophy created by leading Chinese designer, Jamy Yang.
Competing against each other across a range of tasks that tested their knowledge, skill, ability and flare, the judging panel identified Mikaël Grou as the victor at the celebratory gala dinner at the Red Brick Art Museum, Beijing.
Prior to the announcement each sommelier finalist was tasked with undertaking a series of demanding challenges with which to showcase his or her sommelier skillset. Tasks included a wine tasting round, service and food pairing exercise, identifying mistakes in a wine list test and placing wines at their correct temperature into the newly launched Gaggenau Vario wine climate cabinet 400 series.
On hand to assess the highest calibre of young sommeliers in the event’s history was President of the Austrian Sommelier Association, Annemarie Foidl, Master of Wine, Sarah Abbott, China’s first and only Master Sommelier and Corporate Director of Wine for Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Yang Lu and Head of Global Brand Gaggenau, Sven Schnee.
Reflecting on the event, Head of Global Brand Gaggenau, Sven Schnee noted “We began the journey of the Gaggenau Sommelier Awards with a view to celebrating the art of viniculture and to provide a platform for rising stars to truly showcase their talent. Every year that we have hosted these awards Gaggenau has absorbed and shared so much knowledge and understanding of culinary culture, not only that of wine but also the sensorial journey one takes throughout the experience available to those who know its value. As this knowledge has evolved over time, so too have we, as a contributor to the future landscape of viniculture.
Gaggenau is a manufacturer of high-quality home appliances and acknowledged as an innovation leader in design and technology “Made in Germany”. Dating back to 1683, the German manufacturer of high-end home appliances has revolutionised the domestic kitchen with its internationally acclaimed products. Founded on technological innovation and a clear design language combined with high functionality Gaggenau is currently represented in more than 50 countries with 22 flagship showrooms in major cities around the world.
As winner of this years 3rd Biennial International Gaggenau Sommelier Awards Mikaël Grou will receive a special sommelier training and master class at one of Europe’s top wine establishments and the title of Global Brand Ambassador for Gaggenau.
Emma Ziemann of Sweden came second in the coveted awards with Davide Dellago, representing Switzerland, taking third place.
For more information about Gaggenau please visit their website.
Edward Lumley is Editor-in-Chief for Of Wealth & Life and a Freelance Men’s Fashion Writer. Edward has written for publications such as FashionBeans, Harrods and a variety of online outlets specialising in Men’s fashion for the past eight years. Follow Edward on Instagram.
