Romain Iltis from Alsace wins the 13th ‘Master of Port’ competition

Master of Port 2008 Paris

Romain Iltis, from Alsace wins the 13th ‘Master of Port’
competition
On Monday 28th April, Romain Iltis, a young sommelier from Alsace, became the ‘France’s Best Sommelier for Port wines’. The runners-up of this competition were Pascal Léonetti, also from Alsace and Philippe Troussard, from the Jura. The three successful competitors in this 13th event of the ‘Master of Port’ competition received their prizes on 12th June at the Portuguese Embassy, as part of the prestigious sponsorship of His Excellency Mr Antonio Monteiro, Portuguese Ambassador in France. Organised by the Association of Leading Port Brands in France, with the backing of the Union of the French Sommelier Profession and the Institute of Duoro and Port wines, associating the principal Port brands1, ‘Master of Port’ is one of the most highly-esteemed professional competitions that pays tribute to sommeliers who have succeeded in demonstrating their extensive knowledge of Port wines.

Alsace and the Jura were given place of honour during this 13th event of the ‘master
of port’ competition

Romain Iltis from Alsace, winner of the 13th ‘Master of Port’ competition
26-year-old Romain Iltis has been a sommelier at the ‘Verte Vallée’ restaurant in Munster (68) for the past three years. In September 2007, he came second in the competition for ‘France’s Best Young Sommelier’. He has a higher technical diploma for the hotel industry with a specialisation for the sommelier profession; he worked for Alain Ducasse for a year and did a season at the ‘Chabichou’ in Courchevel and at the ‘Auberge du Père Bise’ in Talloires.
“The tests that constituted the various stages of the ‘Master of Port’ competition were of a very high level and enabled four aspects of our profession to be highlighted: technical comprehension, sales techniques, knowledge of the product and tasting skills” commented Romain. He considers that winning the ‘Master of Port’ competition brings “the recognition of his peers and additional knowledge of a wine which is unfortunately little-known in France.”
Romain received full encouragement and backing from his employers throughout the long preparation for his participation in this contest, which even included a trip to Portugal for two days last month. “To win a competition such as this, it is important to feel the support of team, of which my employers are an integral part.” Deeply moved when the results were announced, Romain did not forget to thank them and concluded his short speech with these words applauded by all present: “I hope this victory will call for another!”

In Second Positiion At The ‘Master Of Port’ Competion, Pascal Leonetti From Alsace And In Third Position Philippe Troussard From The Jura
31-year-old Pascal Leonetti has worked as a sommelier at Marc Haeberlin’s restaurant, ‘L’Auberge de l’Ill ‘ in Illhaeusern, for eleven years. He came second in this year’s ‘Master of Port’ competition. A native of Corsica, Pascal Léonetti won the title of ‘France’s Best Young Sommelier’ in 2003 and that of ‘France’s Best Sommelier’ in 2006. He won third position in 2006’s ‘Master of Port’. He works alongside Serge Dubs, who was the ‘World’s Best Sommelier’ in 1989 and the very first ‘Master of Port’.
Philippe Troussard, in third position at this year’s ‘Master of Port’, is a sommelier at the ‘Relais de Pont d’Héry’ in Chaux-Champigny (39). At the age of 25, Philippe Troussard has worked as a sommelier at this family-owned restaurant for ten years and it is here that he did his restaurant apprenticeship, taking a sandwich course to gain a vocational educational certificate and then a technical school certificate, followed by a specialisation course to obtain a sommelier qualification. “I am very proud to have won third position in this competition. Two years ago, I was amongst the six finalists, so it shows I’ve made some excellent progress, which encourages me for the next ‘Master of Port’ competition” Philippe told us.
Yann Satin, sommelier at the Westminster Hotel in Touquet (62), Romain Blanc, sommelier at ‘Le Lista’ restaurant in Nîmes (30) and Stéphane Profit, sommelier at ‘L’Agrappa’ in Asnières (92) completed the list of the six finalists of this competition.

Official award ceremony held at the Portuguese Embassy on 12th June 2008

Romain Iltis, Pascal Leonetti and Philippe Troussard all received their prize at the Portuguese Embassy, as part of the prestigious sponsorship given by His Excellency, the Portuguese Ambassador in Paris, Mr Antonio Monteiro. Also present at this award ceremony, Mr Jorge Monteiro, President of the Institute of Duoro and Port wines), Mrs Edith Cayard, President of the Association of Leading Port Brands, Mr Serge Dubs, first winner of the ‘Master of Port’ competition in 1988 and President of the Union of the French Sommelier Profession (UDSF).