As the sommelier world gears up for their equivalent of the Olympics, the Best Sommelier of the World competition, next week, here’s a quick peek at the candidates from South America. In an all-male lineup from the continent, this year’s competition sees top sommeliers from Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, Venezuela, Paraguay and Colombia head to the international competition being held in Antwerp from 10 – 15th March 2019.
The first series of tests starts on Monday 11th March and candidates from all over the world will work their way through the knockout stages in order to get to the final held on Friday afternoon. The Best Sommelier of the World 2019 will be crowned, and sprayed with Champagne, that evening. The Best Sommelier of the World competition is held approximately every three years since 1969 and the last competition was held in Mendoza in 2016, when Arvid Rosengren from Sweden won.
Best Sommelier of Argentina: Martin Bruno
One of Argentina’s most prolific sommeliers, this is Bruno’s second time in the international competition following his first appearance in 2016.
Currently the Brand Ambassador for Pernod Ricard in Argentina, Martin Bruno was crowned the Best Sommelier of Argentina in 2017 and also came second in the Best Sommelier of the Americas competition held in Canada last year.
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Best Sommelier of Uruguay: Federico de Moura
Uruguay’s top sommelier, Federico de Moura, is also experienced in the international competition following his appearance in Mendoza 2016.
Based in Montevideo and Head Sommelier at Sofitel hotel and restaurant, Federico is three times champion in Uruguay’s national sommelier competition – as Best Sommelier of Uruguay in 2012, 2015 and 2018. Federico began his career as a sommelier in 2004.
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Best Sommelier of Chile: Gonzalo Troncoso
Chilean Gonzalo Troncoso currently lives in Ecuador where he works for drinks supplier Almacenes Juan Eljuri.
Gonzalo Troncoso has been a sommelier since 2012 and was crowned as the Best Sommelier of Chile 2017 following the national competition in Santiago. This is his first time in the Best Sommelier of the World competition.
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Best Sommelier of Peru: Joseph Ruiz Acosta
Peru’s top sommelier, Joseph Ruiz Acosta, will be participating in his second international competition for the World’s Best Somm following his appearance in Mendoza 2016.
He has been crowned Best Sommelier in Peru twice – first in 2015, and again last year in 2018. After several years working at Central restaurant, he now works independently as a sommelier in Lima and is developing his own wine club.
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Best Sommelier of Brazil: Diego Arrebola
Brazil’s top sommelier, Diego Arrebola, has been working in wine since 2004 and has taken the title of Brazil’s Best Sommelier three times – the latest being last year in 2018.
Working as a consultant and wine educator, Diego Arrebola teaches WSET courses as well as a consulting for a wide range of wine projects. This is his third time participating in the Best Sommelier in the World competition following Mendoza in 2016 and Japan in 2013.
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Best Sommelier of Venezuela: Oscar Orta
One of Venezuela’s top sommeliers, Oscar Orta, will be representing the country at the international competition next week. Aged 33, Oscar also teaches about wine and drinks.
Oscar came second in the Best Sommelier of Venezuela competition in 2018 and will be taking part in the international competition for the first time.
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Best Sommelier of Colombia: Andres Villegas-Green
Colombia’s Best Sommelier, Andres Villegas-Green, will be representing the country in Antwerp next week.
Andres founded Kava Seleccion in Bogota in 2012 which imports a small selection of wine labels from around the world.
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Best Sommelier of Paraguay: Roberto Araujo
Representing Paraguay at this year’s international competition is top Paraguayan sommelier Roberto Araujo who was one of the first sommeliers in Paraguay – receiving his qualification in 2016.
This is the first time that Paraguay will be represented in the Best Sommelier of the World competition.
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Good luck to all the candidates, South American and beyond, in the World’s Best Sommelier competition next week!
