Satoru Mori is “Japan’s Best Sommelier” 2008

A.S.I. Competition Nagano (Japan)

Satoru Mori, is “Japan’s Best Sommelier” 2008

and the Japanese candidate for the world competition in 2010

In Nagano on Thursday 9th October at the Metropolitan Hotel, as of 2.30 pm a huge crowd thronged at the entrance of the ‘Grand Salon’. A major event was to be held here at 3 pm: the competition for “Japan’s Best Sommelier” 2008.

From left to right: M. Kazuyoshi Kogai, M. Malcom Stopp (PLW National PR manager), M. Satoru Mori, Mme Michèle Chantome,
Mr. Shinya TASAKIshi

In the land of the Rising Sun, the sommelier profession has developed since the 1970s and significantly advanced as of 1995, when Shinya Tasaki became the “World’s Best Sommelier”, beating at this final the French candidate Olivier Poussier, who in turn went on to win his world title in 2000 in Montreal. Young Japanese sommeliers had a tremendous example to follow and their national hero spared no effort in inspiring them with motivation. Wine is also synonymous with style and elegance, so sommelier’s special skill of matching food and wine soon began to reveal a new art of living to the Japanese.

The 400 people who came to attend the national final were ready to watch a fabulous show unfold and their expectations were certainly fulfilled…

Shinya Tasaki, Vice-President of the Japan Sommelier Association and President of the Technical Committee of the International Sommelier Association presented the 18 candidates who, the previous day, had taken theoretical and practical tests which aimed to select the three best candidates to go through to the final. There was a procession of young people - just one young lady – all looking extremely smart in their black sommelier uniforms. Kasuyoshi Kogai, President of the JPA and the ASI was present when the results were announced.

The three finalists were: Nobuhide Tani, Head Sommelier at the Tour d’Argent restaurant in Tokyo, Hiroshi Sadakane, Sommelier at the New Hotel in Osaka and Satoru Mori, also Sommelier at the Tour d’Argent in Tokyo. In this order, the three finalists proceeded onto the Metropolitan’s magnificent stage. The jury, comprised of personalities from the wine world, the sommelier profession and the hotel & restaurant industry, had to assess the performance of each finalist in order to decide which one would become “Japan’s Best Sommelier” 2008.

Satoru Mori, Nobuhide Tani, Hiroshi Sadakane. Satoru MORI also received the Peter Lehmann Shiraz Sommelier Award from Mr. Malcolm STOPP (PLW National PR Manager)

Tests began with a blind tasting of three wines: a white – Coulée de Serrant 2004 made by Nicola Joly, and two reds – a Barolo DOCG, Lonchera 2003 and a Rioja Crianza, Valserrano 2005. Next came the identification of 10 different spirits in three seconds, then the service of a half-bottle of sparkling wine to six young ladies, whilst one of whom asked the candidate to explain how to make soy sauce… The following test entailed decanting and serving a bottle of red wine and then came the correction of a wine list containing several mistakes. The final assessment consisted of tasting a sake and giving explanations about its elaboration. The three candidates were therefore able to display their knowledge and skills, in addition using a foreign language. All members of the jury were particularly impressed by the candidates’ level of competence and finally gave their verdict:

Aged 31, Satoru Mori, Sommelier at the Tour d’Argent restaurant in Tokyo, was elected “Japan’s Best Sommelier” 2008. Second and third place went to Nobuhide Tani and Hiroshi Sadakane. The Tour d’Argent in Tokyo, with two finalists, had pride of place on the podium with the winner its young sommelier from Osaka.

Since good luck often brings more, Satoru Mori also won the Peter Lehmann Shiraz Sommelier Award. Along with his diploma, he received a work of art from the Peter Lehmann Collection in Australia as well as an invitation to the Barossa Valley. Hiroshi Sadakane was presented the Rosé Wine Trophy, sponsored by the Provence Wine Trade Bureau and was given an invitation to come and discover the Provence winegrowing region.
Satoru Mori will represent Japan at the competition for the “World’s Best Sommelier”, organised by the International Sommelier Association (ASI), to be held in Chile in 2010. In the meantime, selections will be carried out to decide who will be the Japanese candidate to compete in the first contest for “Asia-Oceania’s Best Sommelier”, which is to take place in Osaka in November 2009.
Michèle Chantome