Vinexpo Daily 2020 Paris - Review Edition

I EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW I
MARC ALMERT,
WORLD'S BEST
SOMMELIER,
DISCUSSES
AUSTRIAN
WINE
© Jean Bernard
Marc Almert, named last year as the Best Sommelier of the
World by the International Sommelier Association (ASI)
The man named last year as the Best Sommelier
of the World by the International Sommelier
Association (ASI), showcased wines from Austria
at a special Vinexpo event.
Organised by the Austrian Wine
Marketing Board, the Discover
Austria's Wine masterclass
highlighted the many regions
and types of wine that Austria
has to offer at a time of growing
interest from the public.
"I think Austria has really come
a long way in the last couple
of decades. To me it's really
interesting to see there are
many different grapes on offer,"
said Almert. "There are many
whites and reds, and you have
many interesting sweet and rose
wines, and the quality to price
ratio is really good. They're good
for sommeliers and wine buyers
to put on their lists. On many of
the key estates you're seeing
the second and even the third
generation coming up and so
they're at an interesting point in
their development."
Almert said the Zurich hotel
where he works as head
sommelier, the Baur au Lac,
which includes the Pavillon
restaurant, offers several
Austrian wines, including some
by the glass. Certain Austrian
wines, he said, can be enjoyed
in their youth while also having
great ageing potential: "We
definitely see a growing interest,
especially in the red wines
and sparkling wines. They're
more established and popular
in Switzerland because many
guests know Austria from their
skiing holidays and want to enjoy
Austrian wines when they're
back at home."
All the wines at the event were
from exhibitors who were on
site, so attendees were able to
visit their stands to taste some
more.
Almert's diary during the three
days of Vinexpo Paris was a
full one and Discover Austria's
Diversity was not the only event
in which he took part. He was also
hosting the Vinexpo Challenge,
during which participants
attempted to identify wines by
grape variety, country of origin
and vintage. Almert gave tips on
how to approach a blind tasting.
The wine expert's schedule
has been full for most of the
past year since he was named
Best Sommelier of the World
in early 2019. "It's been a
very exciting year with a lot of
travelling and a lot of chances to
discover new people. It's been
a really fascinating years," he
said, adding, "I think it's a very
exciting time because the nice
thing about the wine world is
that it never stands still."
"We see new wine regions
entering the market, including
China and others, some with
a long wine-growing history -
Eastern Europe, Portugal and
Greece. As any industry, we
always face challenges, but we
have enough dynamism to face
the challenges and turn them
into opportunities," concluded
Almert
LE PAVILLON,
ZURICH
Le Pavillon is gourmet restaurant in the
heart of Zurich. As one of the top restaurants
in Switzerland, the restaurant boasts two
Michelin stars and 18 Gault Millau points
awarded to Chef Laurent Eperon.
BEST
SOMMELIER ASI
The Association de la Sommellerie
Internationale (ASI) participates in all events
related to wine, spirits and other drinks, and
runs a competition to find the World's Best
Sommelier.
France will host the next Best Sommelier of the
World Contest from 8-13 May 2022.
Contestants were given tips by Almert on how to taste wines
VINEXPO DAILY • THURSDAY 20 TH FEBRUARY 2020 • 9