The ASMA - Association of Sommeliers of Morocco, member of Association Sommellerie Internationale, organized on September 10th its national competition in the beautiful setting of the Château Roslane, Hotel Boutique & Spa in the very heart of the vineyard of Coteaux de l’Atlas, the very first AOC of Morocco, under the presidency of Serge Dubs, Best Sommelier of the World 1989.
Abdelghafour Sadek from La Mamounia Marrakech won the title of the Best Sommelier of Morocco 2018. The theoretical and practical tests in the morning got together the 9 semi-finalists (in alphabetical order): Rabii AHSINA, Fairmont Royal Palm, Marrakech; El Moktar ALIA, Royal Mansour, Marrakech; Mouhacine BASSOU, Le Palace, Marrakech; Imame BENRAHHOU, Secret Gallery, Casablanca; Younes CHAFIK, Le Riad des Vignes, Benslimane; Nabil DAKNI, Villa Diyafa, Rabat; Kamil ESSBAI, Sofitel, Marrakech; Sabrina RAHMANI, Iloli, Casablanca; Abdelghafour SADEK, La Mamounia, Marrakech.
The practical tests of the afternoon were proposed to the 3 finalists (in alphabetical order): El Moktar ALIA, Kamil ESSBAI, Abdelghafour SADEK. Kamil Essbai of Sofitel Marrakech and El Moktar Alia of Royal Mansour, Marrakech ranked respectively second and third of the contest.
The three finalists of 2018 and 2017 will meet on January 14, at the Sofitel in Marrakech, at the selection of the sommelier who will represent Morocco at the competition of the Best Sommelier of the World 2019 in Antwerp (Belgium) from March 10 to 15.
Let’s remind that the Best Sommelier of Morocco 2017, Zakaria Wahbi, represented his country at the ASI competition of the Best Sommelier of Europe and Africa 2017 in Vienna (Austria). He will also try to qualify for the world contest.
The jury members: Serge Dubs, Best Sommelier of the World 1989, president of the jury; Michèle Aström Chantôme, President of ASMA; Mikaël Rodriguez, Secretary General of ASMA; Thierry Collard, treasurer of ASMA; Stéphane Remacle, Deputy Secretary General of ASMA.
This national selection will include the same tests as the Château Roslane Trophy.
In the morning: blind tasting of two wines with written review; identification of three spirits / beverages; theoretical questionnaire about viticulture, winemaking, knowledge of the grape varieties and wine regions of Morocco and the world, appellations ... but also coffees, teas, mineral waters, beers and other beverages that fall under the role of the sommelier.
In the afternoon, for the three best candidates: service of a sparkling wine; order taking / food and drink pairing; wine service / decanting or aeration; blind tasting of two or three wines; identification of three or five spirits/beverages; correction of a wine list with mistakes; business scenario (sales pitch).
Many thanks to all our sponsors: ARC / Chef & Sommelier, SanPellegrino / Acqua Panna, Château Roslane Boutique Hôtel & Spa, Les Celliers de Meknès, Thalvin, La Ferme Rouge, La Zouina, Domaine de Baccari, Domaine du Val d’Argan, Olivim, Les Domaines Amal, Les Trois Cavaliers, Les Deux Domaines, l’Hacienda des Cigognes, Cépages Réunis… And Paul Brunet who offered his book with an autograph to all the finalists (“Le Vin et les Vins au restaurant”, Editions BPI).
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