Entries open for The Bollinger Exceptional Wine Service Award 2014

The annual competition, which is aimed at enhancing and recognising the calibre of local sommeliers and wine service staff, was launched in 2011. Ginette de Fleuriot, marketing manager of Vinimark The Wine Company and organiser of The Bollinger Exceptional Wine Service Award anticipates more entries this year: "We look forward to an increased number of entrants for The Bollinger Exceptional Wine Service Award 2014 and to wider representation from all of South Africa's premier tourist regions."

Champagne Bollinger is the main sponsor of the The Bollinger Exceptional Wine Service Award. The competition is a joint initiative between Vinimark The Wine Company (importer of Champagne Bollinger), and The Reciprocal Wine Trading Company, importer and distributor of Riedel Glassware.

A catalyst to expand training facilities

De Fleuriot commented further: "This industry-wide initiative was established to advance the interests of all of the country's fine-wine producers, as well as those who make their living from the sale of wine in hotels, restaurants and wine bars. The sponsors and organisers trust that this competition will continue to act as a catalyst for the hospitality industry to expand training facilities and support local sommeliers and sommeliers in training, in the interests of all those who enjoy dining out."

Neil Grant, chairman of the South African Sommelier Association (SASA), stated: "Wine service has a poor history in South Africa and only with incentives such as these will we find an improvement within the industry. Chefs in South Africa over the past 10 years have proven how good they are and now wine stewards/sommeliers need to be part of this movement so we can challenge the international markets." SASA has committed to mentoring the winning candidates to assist further in guaranteeing continued professional wine service of an international standard.

The competition entry criteria are:

• Those currently employed in the service of food and wine and with a history of a minimum of three years of such service;
  
• Contestants are required to have substantial knowledge of the local wine scene and of the professional service of both food and wine;
  
• An adequate knowledge of international wine appellations and styles of wine is also a prerequisite;
  
• More importantly, however, the contest examines the ability of those selling wine in the hospitality industry to relate what is produced in South Africa to the expectations of international visitors more familiar with the major wine producing regions of the world.

Competition dateline:

• First Round: Registration forms and the completed question paper are to be submitted no later than 31 May;
  
• Second Round: The semi-finals will be held in August at a venue to be announced;
  
• Final Round: The finalists will compete in Cape Town in October at a venue to be announced;
  
• Competition winner announcement: The winner of The Bollinger Exceptional Wine Service Award 2014 will be announced at an exclusive champagne event in October.

Judges at all rounds of the competition will include internationally trained sommeliers; Cape Wine Masters; and members of the hospitality trade.

For more information and to download the registration form and question paper, go to www.wineserviceaward.co.za.