13th Edition of Concours A.S.I. - Competition for World's Best Sommelier

SANTIAGO, Chile, April 16 /PRNewswire-Asia/ --

At the end of hotly contested finals, Gerard Basset - Hotel Terra Vina, located in Hampshire, England - stylishly carried off the Concours A.S.I. prize for the World's best sommelier 2010 and now holds the World title for a period of three years.

(PHOTO: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100416/386681 )

(LOGO: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090619/350192-b )

This 13th Edition of the Concours du meilleur Sommelier du monde, the Competition for the World's best sommelier, will be notably recollected for the distinction of seven women having participated from amongst the 51 contestants, and for the fact that four of the women made it to the semifinal stage.

This means that an important page in the history of wine waiting has just been turned, since the discipline of the sommelier had until then been the preserve of men. This goes to show how much the world of wine can be a passion and a pleasure shared by women.

To top off his victory, Gerard Basset was given the Moet & Chandon Silver Trophy, a unique item which stands as the reward for the World's best Sommelier, as his name will be added to it, supplementing the list of those winners who have gone before him.

Since 1989, Moet & Chandon has been the trusted and inseparable partner of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale - the International Wine-Waiting Association, and of the Concours du Meilleur Sommelier du Monde. This is a strong commitment which characterizes its attachment to the wine-waiter's trade and is intended to encourage its development at World level.

Website of Concours du Meilleur Sommelier du Monde: http://www.concurso2010.cl/