Annual Gala of the sommeliers of Paris-île de France: under the sign of sharing

Gala Paris

Annual Gala of the sommeliers of Paris-île de France:

under the sign of sharing

It is the word that has come many times on the lips of the guests of this grand wine feast, the gala of the association of the sommeliers of Paris-Île de France (ASP), one of the oldest associations of sommeliers. On October 5, 2014, some 450 guests gathered at Palais Cambon in Paris to celebrate in style the profession’s great feast.
“It is a tradition of the Parisian sommellerie, Philippe Faure-Brac confided, a get-together for friends but also people of the wine industry”. “It always is an exceptional moment around the real truth of wine, that is sharing and its celebration”, Olivier Poussier added. To remind the aura of the association of sommeliers of Paris, Paolo Basso underlined “that for the professionalism and lifestyle, Paris is the reference in the world.”
In his speech, Jean-Luc Jamrozik, president of the ASP, especially said “that to him, sharing means assembling”. He thus gathered eight Best Sommeliers of the World, great names of the profession, partners, distinguished guests, over a sumptuous 7-course dinner prepared by Jean-Pierre Biffi, multi talented cook, culinary choreographer. With him, cuisine takes full sense, it lives, breathes, it is happy, convivial, delectable and always refined. Since 23 years, he has been managing the kitchen of Potel et Chabot, prestigious caterer in Paris.
Such a dinner also is a technical challenge as Frank Ramage, in charge of the wines at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, underlined. He was the coordinator of the sommelier service for the evening. “We have to serve eight wines at a precise temperature to 450 persons!” To succeed in this mission, students of catering schools had come to give a hand, a way to underline that it also is the vocation of the association, help the new generations of professionals.
Only foreign wine served that night, Petite Arvine Fully 2012 by Fully Grand Cru was set in a place of honour. An exceptional wine bottled at only 290 copies not on the market. At its side, grand names of the appellations of Burgundy, Bordeaux but also Champagne were served.
The evening was also distinguished by its exceptional patron, Costa Gavras, who expressed his great admiration for this profession that he considers as “an art before a métier”. He said he was glad to discover the world of the sommellerie and wine “that is our joy”.
Unanimously agreed, the challenge of this grand gala was successfully taken up. Jean-Marc Gallot, chairman of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, confided: “Nowadays we live in a kind of general pessimism. And we are here tonight in the expression of a dynamism and will to progress that makes us feel good.” Gérard Bertrand added: “The French sommeliers are among the best in the world, and Paris is the very essence of this. Tonight they set wine in music. When they play such a melody, it is perfect.”
Jean-Luc Jamrozik concludes: “It is a great evening. It is exceptional to get together eight Best Sommeliers of the World. We had wines of very good quality, Jean-Pierre Biffi’s cuisine, we can be nothing but glad. Of course I talk of sharing again as it is what a sommelier does everyday, he shares wine and joy of living.”
Altruism set in benefit of a charity every year. Indeed it is a tradition to organize during the gala a great auction sale of prestigious wines and Champagnes. This time it is the Association HNPCC - Lynch that has been chosen.

Sylvia van der Velden

www.sommelier-paris.org

1. La sommellerie parisienne, une grande famille.
2. Jean-Luc Jamrozik.
3. Costa Gavras remercié pour son soutien.
4. Marie-Anne Chazel et Costa Gavras.
5. Huit Meilleurs Sommeliers du Monde réunis pour l'occasion.