Earlier this month, London-based sommelier Matteo Furlan, head sommelier at the five-star Ritz Hotel in Mayfair, took home the coveted title of “Best Sommelier UK 2019.”
That’s Matteo (above, right) with Villa Sandi ambassador Diva Moretti Polegato who presented him with the award.
The competition, which was organized by the UK Sommelier Association and sponsored by Villa Sandi, also featured a Prosecco DOCG and Cartizze Master Class led by Villa Sandi export director Flavio Geretto and winemaker Stefano Gava who had traveled to London especially for the event with Diva (daughter of Villa Sandi owner Giancarlo Moretti Polegato).
The event was attended by Britain’s top sommeliers and wine professionals. And the result was all the more special because Matteo comes the town of Portogruaro in Friuli, a stone’s through from the newest addition to the Villa Sandi family of wineries, Borgo Conventi, one of the region’s most esteemed estates.
In order to clinch the title, Matteo had to complete a grueling series of tasks.
“In 30 minutes each contestant had to perform seven tasks,” wrote Peter Dean for the popular trade magazine The Buyer.
“Blind tasting 3 wines and giving in-depth commentary about them and how they would serve/ pair them, serving a bottle of premium Prosecco and giving a cocktail suggestion (the sparkling was Villa Sandi naturally), taking a wine order and suggesting matches for a set menu, decanting a bottle of Lynch Bages 1985, blind tasting three spirits, analyzing a complex wine list and identifying a winemaker and a label.”
No small feat!
Congratulations, Matteo, on your win and new title!
CAMPAGNA FINANZIATA AI SENSI DEL REG. UE N. 1308/2013
CAMPAIGN FINANCED ACCORDING TO EU REG. N. 1308/2013