Pawlowski has Languedoc-Roussillon knowledge

Head sommelier Adam Pawlowski from the Michelin starred restaurant Northcote has been crowned the winner of the fifth annual Sud de France sommelier competition, putting the skills and knowledge of 50 of the top UK sommeliers to the test.

The competition aims to find the UK sommelier with the best knowledge of the Languedoc-Roussillon region and its wines, while raising the profile of the profession as a whole, and of the wines of Languedoc-Roussillon.

Candidates were put through their paces by an expert judging panel chaired by Ronan Sayburn MS and head of wine at the Dorchester, along with Pascal Aussignac, head chef and owner of the Michelin starred Club Gascon restaurant, Imbibe editor Chris Losh and last year’s winner Lionel Periner from the Lucky Onion Group.

After a gruelling round of written tests and wine tastings, the 11 competing sommeliers in the semi-final were whittled down to just three finalists: Florent Belotti from New Street Grill, Terry Kandylis from the Ledbury and Adam Pawlowski from Northcote. The finalists then took part in a nail-biting final where they were assessed in front of an audience in food and wine matching (with delicious dishes made by Pascal Aussignac), blind tasting and serving rounds.

Jury chairman Ronan Sayburn MS, said: “I have been extremely impressed with the competing sommelier’s skills and knowledge of Languedoc-Roussillon, a diverse and complex wine region. Adam Pawlowski is a truly deserving winner, and a credit to the sommelier profession.”

“I’ve had a wonderful time taking part in the Sud de France Sommelier competition” said winner Adam Pawlowski. “The competition was challenging but thoroughly enjoyable and I am honoured to have been named the winner, amongst some very talented sommeliers.”

8 October 2013 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor