THE JUDGING PANEL

The Concours will welcome a group of five young French sommeliers who topped France’s annual competition for sommeliers students. The judging panel will be led by renowned Rhône Valley winemaker Michel Chapoutier.

Senior Judges:
- Michel Chapoutier - M.Chapoutier
- Christian Maier - Sommelier RACV Club
- Dominique Portet - Dominique Portet Winery
- Gilles Lapalus - Sutton Grange Winery
- Adrien Etienne - Blason de Bourgogne

Young Sommeliers:
- Julia Oudill
- Yann Hangouet
- Yves Nizan
- Noémie Favrat
- Vincent Drubay
- Maxime Brunet

Sommelier teacher :
- Muriel Lafourcade Coulon

THE JUDGING CRITERIA

The judging panel will assess the entries from the separate classes over 2 days. Judges taste the wines blind and have no information about the entries, apart from the unidentified glasses placed in front them. Each judge scores individually and then scores are compiled using the 20-point international system (colour and clarity 3, bouquet 7, palate 10).

Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded in each class.

The following classes will be judged

- Sparkling Wine - Vintage or NV (white / rosé / red)

- 2009 White Aromatic Class (Riesling / Viognier / Pinot Gris / Gewurztraminer)

- 2009 Sauvignon Blanc

- 2008 Chardonnay

- 2009 Rosé

- 2008 Pinot Noir

- 2007 Shiraz

- 2007 Merlot

- 2007 Cabernet and Cabernet Blends

Trophies will be awarded for

- FACCI Trophy for Best Wine in the Show

- Best Sparkling Wine in the Show

- Best Red Wine in the Show

- Best White Wine in the Show

- Best Aromatic Wine in the Show

- Best Pinot Noir in the Show

- Best Shiraz in the Show

- Best Chardonnay in the Show

- The Chairman’s “Coup de Coeur”