Orange Wine, Sommeliers and Wine Professionals

Orange Wine, Sommeliers and Wine Professionals

Discussion, debate, education and of course wine were served up at the first official meeting to launch the New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals Association.

Two launch events – first in Auckland then Wellington – have welcomed new members and eager hospitality professionals to the association. “Our first tasting featured Orange wines which attracted the curious as well as those serious about learning how white wines can be transformed. Present at the tastings were restaurateurs, wine retailers, beverage distributors and sommeliers. Other launches are planned for Queenstown and Christchurch.” says Celia Hay – one of the founding board members and chair.

The new Board of Directors should be familiar names too: Stephen Wong Master of Wine representing Wellington, Nelson and Marlborough; Karen Fistonich of Villa Maria Wines representing Auckland; Angela Clifford of Tongue N’ Groove Wines – representing Canterbury; Claudio Heye of Domain Thomson Wines – representing Otago and the south; and Cameron Douglas Master Sommelier and Patron.

“We want this new association to enable wine and beverage professionals and those seeking to become credentialed professionals to network better, learn more, learn from each other and grow as a national body” – says Cameron Douglas.

With the support of wine suppliers, wine distributors, educators and wine organisations around New Zealand this organisation seeks to gain broad hospitality and wine industry endorsement.

“The organisation aims to become the ‘go to’ organisation for clarification on all matters of beverage and service. A public database of wine and beverage qualified individuals will be established and most importantly we hope to influence and raise the standards for all hospitality and beverage focused organisations,” comments Cameron Douglas.

With this new association New Zealand can now join and compete internationally at the highest level of World Sommelier competitions. In April, Celia Hay along with top New Zealand Sommelier Michael Bancks, from Craggy Range, attended the World’s Best Sommelier Championship in Mendoza, Argentina.

The New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals Association is not for profit.

http://sommelier.co.nz

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