Prestige Tasting Lyon
On last November 26th, SommelierS International gathered together for a new Prestige Tasting, in the lounges of the Sofitel Lyon Bellecour, a college of tasters of the Association of sommeliers of the Lyon and Rhône-Alpes regions, those from the Jura and Franche-Comté, from Auvergne-Limousin, from Savoie-Alpes-Bugey and from the Languedoc-Roussillon-Southern Rhone Valley, as well as the representatives from nearly 175 domains who proposed 370 cuvees in total.
At the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône rivers, Lyon is at the crossroads of Western Europe, linking the North Sea to the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe to the Atlantic Ocean.
Thousands of amphorae found on the hill of Fourvière, different discoveries of numerous traces of habitations and objects of all kinds testify to the existence of a wine trade relay between the Mediterranean coast and the North as from the 6th century B.C.
In Roman times, the antique Lugdunum becomes the Gaul’s capital. 7th European city for quality of life, Lyon now possesses a remarkable historical, architectural, cultural and gastronomic heritage.
Léon Daudet, French writer, journalist and politician of the 20th century, said: “Lyon is a city bathed in three big rivers: Rhône, Saône and Beaujolais!” Which place would have been more conducive to this Prestige tasting? It is therefore at the Sofitel Lyon Bellecour that SommelierS International gathered together the very best of the Beaujolais and Northern Côtes du Rhône appellations.
Beaujolais Villages, Beaujolais supérieur, Saint-Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Brouilly, and Côte-de-Brouilly: all the appellations of the Beaujolais area were represented for a symphony of flavours in three colours.
The wines of the Northern Côtes du Rhône were not outdone: Condrieu, Cornas, Côte-Rôtie, Crozes-Hermitage and Hermitage (with or without H), Saint-Joseph and Saint-Péray. The neighbouring Pouilly-Fuissé, Coteaux-du-Lyonnais, Grignan-les-Adhémar, Rasteau, Vinsobres, Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages had also come.
Fabrice Sommier, President of the Association of Sommeliers from the Lyon and Rhône-Alpes regions, Master of Port and Best Craftsman of France Sommelier, masterfully orchestrated his sommeliers' work. For this, he was helped by Françoise Gigot, Vice-President of the Association of Sommeliers of Auvergne-Limousin, Michel Droit, Vice-President of the Association of Sommeliers of Jura & Franche-Comté, and Charles-André Charrier, President of the Association of Sommeliers of Savoie-Alpes-Bugey, who had all three come with the members of their respective structures. Philippe Faure-Brac, Best Sommelier of the World, enlightened with his knowledge this industrious and very intense tasting morning as 370 cuvees had to be analysed!
Arc International, partner of the A.S.I., had also contributed to the success of the event by kindly providing all the glasses.
A representative from each of the Houses having proposed their wine to the morning tasting had been invited to join the sommeliers for a luncheon buffet precursory of the afternoon meeting. Chef Christian Lherm had prepared a delicious buffet of international inspiration, staging terroir produce like cooked sausage or “Gnafron with Gruyère cheese”, as well as the exotic flavours of sushis or poultry brochettes crumbed with coconut. This range of land and sea aromas perfectly matched those of the wines opened in the morning that all of the guests enjoyed.
After the pleasant interlude of the meal, the sommeliers who had had the responsibility—but also the honour and the pleasure—to comment on the wines during the morning tasting, could share their felt with the producers, often joined by their cellar master, during an afternoon of exchange and conviviality. The atmosphere was relaxed, everyone could freely taste the wines displayed all around the room. Michel Hermet, President of the French Sommellerie Union, came to actively take part in the adventure by tasting in turn and questioning the wine growers about their production.
SommelierS International deeply thanks all the sommeliers and producers who participated in this event, as well as the team of Sofitel Lyon Bellecour for its availability and professionalism.
Photos : Michel Jolyot
Video : Olivier Hennegrave – DOC FILMS
Philippe FAURE-BRAC,
Best Sommelier of the World
Fabrice SOMMIER, President
Françoise GIGOT, Vice-president
Mikaël HERVE
Patrick MARTINET
Robert PERRUSSEL
Michel DROIT, Vice-president
Marie-Thérèse CARRION
Maxime CREDOZ-GRENARD
Michelle DELAVENNE
Camille FRAISSE
Chantal GUILLET
Students sommelier :
Videos of others tasting available on
Prestige Tasting
or on YouTube channel "SommeliersInternat":
