New Zealand Sommelier of the Year Competition 2023

Contestants: Angela Allan (La Fuente, formally of Culprit) Suraj GC (Park Hyatt), Karan Patyal (The Northern Club), Tony Suarez (Hotel Britomart), Vojtech Cukor (The Grove),  Andrea Tremaud, (The Grove) and Kunal Kohli (Vesuvio, Christchurch). 

Guest Sommeliers from Japan: Maika Yamamoto (Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo) and Ryoma Okinaka (Marriott Associa, Nagoya)

Guest Sommeliers from Australia: Justin Biskup (formally Head Sommelier Vie du Monde, Melbourne, now based in Perth and Lu Wang  (Mr. Wong, Merivale Group, Sydney).

Theory and Blind Tasting.

Here are the three wines that were tasted blind.

Larissa Muller from Palate Restaurant, Hamilton and Cashias Gumbo help to mark the assessments.

Andrea briefs Jeremy Ellis and Cameron Douglas MS about the decanting assessment.

Te Mata Awatea waits to be decanted.

Guest Sommelier Ryoma Okinaka decants Te Mata Awatea.

Sommelier Karan Patyal decants for the judges.

Spirits that were blind tasted with Pernod poured in a black glass.