CIVR supports Harpers’ Top 25 Sommeliers

Roussillon is proud to support Harpers’ Top 25 Sommeliers, an initiative designed to recognise and celebrate excellence in the on-trade wine world.

The Top 25 Sommeliers will single out those at the top of the profession and acknowledge the essential role they play in bringing exciting wines to consumers. The Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Roussillon (CIVR) is teaming up with Harpers and leading UK agent Fells to throw the spotlight on some of the wine trade’s unsung heroes.

Eric Aracil, co-director in charge of exports at the CIVR, commented: “Sommeliers are the driving force behind the adoption of so many wines that otherwise would never have been discovered by consumers. Their passion for wine is often contagious and the very best have the rare ability to surprise, enthuse, and share their encyclopaedic knowledge without intimidating their audience.

“Many wines from Roussillon’s myriad styles, from dry wines to Vins Doux Naturels, have been championed by sommeliers over the years. Every time they choose a Maury to pair with chocolate dessert, serve a fresh and mineral Côtes du Roussillon white with sushi, or present a special terroir of Côtes du Roussillon Villages, they represent and explain our wines.

“It is important to us to recognise the accomplishments of the sommelier industry and celebrate the great talent within it. Without sommeliers, many exciting stories about our region and our producers would never be told and many outstanding wines would remain undiscovered.”

Harpers has been taking nominations for the Top 25 Sommeliers online. The strongest nominees will go through to a round of judging in June, from which the final list of Top 25 Sommeliers will be selected.

Good luck to all nominees… and thank you for sharing our wines with the world!