Louis Le Conte crowned Best Young Sommelier of France 2025

On June 16, 2025, the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux hosted the final round of the prestigious Best Young Sommelier of France competition. Organized by the Union de la Sommellerie Française and chaired by Jean-Pascal Paubert, this major event brought together the top three candidates selected from an initial group of 87 young sommeliers.

This competition, which highlights the rising talents of the profession, offers participants the opportunity to test and showcase their knowledge and skills under high-pressure conditions.

Noé Richard, sommelier at the restaurant Plénitude in Paris, was the first to take on the series of challenges designed by the Technical Committee. The program included the identification of six beverages and the determination of their common thread (in this case, all made from Gewürztraminer), the identification of French AOC cheeses with appropriate pairings, a sensory analysis, an English-language introduction of an estate and its cuvée, vintage recognition of four sweet wines from Sauternes, and the enhancement of a non-alcoholic beverage. These were followed by the traditional Q&A session and the service of a Champagne from a jeroboam.

Like him, the two other finalists—Augustin Belleville, sommelier at Pavillon Ledoyen in Paris, and Louis Le Conte, sommelier at the Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne—demonstrated the full breadth of their talent through technical precision and an impeccable sense of hospitality.

At the end of the competition, with a final score of 133.5 points, ahead of Augustin Belleville (108.5) and Noé Richard (108), Louis Le Conte earned the title of 35th Best Young Sommelier of France, succeeding Marie Wodecki, winner of the 2023 edition.

This title marks a milestone in a promising career and confirms the excellence of a new generation of passionate professionals dedicated to upholding and promoting the savoir-faire of French wine culture.

Sandy Bénard-Ravoisier