Gerard Basset MW, MS, has been named World’s Best Sommelier, the latest in his long list of achievements.

The Association de la Sommellerie competition was held in Chile last week, and saw 54 sommeliers compete for the title in a gruelling contest. It spans two days and includes written exams, blind tastings and service roleplays which all aim to test knowledge of wine, spirits, cigars, food and wine pairing, and service skills.

Basset, with the two other finalists Paolo Basso from Switzerland and France’s David Biraud, competed in a public final to determine the world’s best sommelier. Based at his Hampshire hotel TerraVina, Basset represented the UK in the competition.

‘I am delighted and honoured to have been awarded the World’s Best Sommelier title. This was the sixth time I have taken part, and having been placed second three times I was determined to do well this year. Competing was exciting, nerve wracking and thrilling, but I put in a lot of work from the time I was chosen to represent the UK in September 2009, so I felt I had done enough preparation.’

The only Master of Wine, Master Sommelier and Wine MBA in the world, Basset co-founded Hotel du Vin, before opening TerraVina in Hampshire with his wife Nina.

Read consultant Peter McCombie’s blog post about Basset’s achievement.

News item from Imbibe.com, 20-04-2010