The inaugural competition to find the Best Sommelier in South Africa was held on Monday 11 Jan at the Taj Hotel in Cape Town. The going was tough and the winning title went to Gareth Ferreira, with the runners up being Jean Vincent Ridon(2), and Joakim Blackadder(3). The competition is organised by the South African Sommeliers Association (SASA), with Michele Astrom Chantome - the Secretary General of the ASI (Association Sommeliers International) joining as an international judge. All the contestants have extensive knowledge and experience: Denis Garret, Manuel Cabello, Roxan Waldeck, Ralph Reynolds (SA Wine Tasting Team leader 2015), Marlvin Gwese, Jeannette Clarke, and Spencer Fondaumiere. Gareth jetted in from London where he currently works. He was also the deserved winner of the Bollinger 2014 Exceptional Service Award. The competition aims to raise the bar for sommeliers and it certainly did just that.. it looked tough! Gareth will be representing South Africa in the World Champs in Mendoza in Argentina in April 2016. We wish him all the best!