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Zareh Mesrobyan

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A quelques pas de notre future adresse Bordelaise, au sein de l'emblématique Passage Sarget, nous avons eu le plaisir de partager une belle soirée avec nos Membres du monde entier au cours de notre semaine de "rentrée Bordelaise"🍷

Sous la thématique des années 80 inspirée par le Marathon du Médoc, nos Membres ont dégusté des millésimes emblématiques de ces années formidables avec les millésimes 1983 et 1989 de Château Beychevelle, Château Pontet-Canet et Château Brane-Cantenac. En apothéose, nous avons surpris nos grands amateurs de vin au moment du dessert en versant un autre délice dans nos verres Zalto: le sublime Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey 1986.

L'expertise de Jane Anson, qui nous a honoré de sa présence, a guidé nos Membres dans la découverte fascinante de la diversité d'expression d'un même millésime selon les châteaux et même d'une bouteille à l'autre.

Un rappel si besoin de la beauté, de la complexité et de l'unicité des grands Bordeaux parvenus à maturité.
Une confirmation du plaisir pris à partager l'amour du vin✨🥂

#67PallMall #67PallMallBordeaux #JaneAnson #Beychevelle #PontetCanet #BraneCantenac

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Meet Zareh Mesrobyan, one of our Top 10 Semi-Finalists for UK Sommelier of the Year 2026. 🍷

High energy, long in the business, and here to push his own limits — Zareh came into this year's competition wanting to top his own performance from last year. The heatwave turned out to be the real wildcard, adding a layer of difficulty nobody saw coming.

One detail worth calling out: when asked where he hoped his career would take him, Zareh said Bordeaux. He'd already accepted a role there before the competition even started — he just hadn't told anyone yet.

And when it comes to the one bottle he'd share with anyone, past or present? Zareh's answer might raise an eyebrow — he'd want to sit down with the most notorious forger in wine history, whose palate was infamous enough to fool the world's top collectors, just to hear that story firsthand.

Swipe through to meet Zareh in full.

Follow along for every task, every score, every step toward UK Sommelier of the Year 2026.

#UKSommelier2026 #UKSommelier #SommelierLife #Hospitality

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Four minutes. Fourteen guests. Zero do-overs.

Task Six threw our Top 10 Semi-Finalists straight into a full aperitif service — eight glasses of Château d'Esclans Rosé 2024, five glasses of Prunotto Moscato d'Asti 2025, and one non-alcoholic pour, each measured to an exact 125ml. And once you move on to the next glass, there's no going back.

Under the clock, every detail counted: opening without twisting the bottle, decanting and tasting with care, pouring to a consistent height every time — all while keeping poise, speed, and a spotless table.

Swipe through to see exactly what the judges were scoring for →

And the results? Huge congratulations to Dolly Chao, our Best Performer on Task Six, with Dion Wai, Joanna Nerantzi and Zareh Mesrobyan rounding out the top four.

Follow along for every task, every score, every step toward UK Sommelier of the Year 2026.

#UKSommelierOfTheYear #UKSOY2026 #SommelierLife #WineService

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Six minutes. Two tables. One trainee.

Task Five put our Top 10 Semi-Finalists to the ultimate test in multi-table service — pouring a couple's celebratory Moet Chandon Grand Vintage 2016, while simultaneously guiding three journalists and influencers through a Jean-Michel Gaunoux Pommard Les Perrières 2018 and a Coravin-poured Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon 2015.

But the wine was only half the challenge. With a Commis Sommelier on just their second day, each candidate had to lead under pressure — delegating with confidence, training in real time, and never losing composure with the guests watching.

Swipe through to see exactly what the judges were scoring for →

And the results? Huge congratulations to Kristina Gladilina, our Best Performer on Task Five, with Emma Denney, Dolly Chao and Zareh Mesrobyan rounding out the top four.

Follow along for every task, every score, every step toward UK Sommelier of the Year 2026.

#UKSommelier2026 #UKSommelier #SommelierLife #WineService

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🇦🇹🍷 Austria impresses at the IWSC 2026!

194 wines. 64 wineries. 7 international judges. And an impressive 185 medals for Austrian wine 🏅

From 10th to 13th of August, an international panel of wine experts travelled to Austria for this year’s IWSC Wine Judging in Austria. Over two intensive judging days, the judges tasted 194 wines – with results we’re more than proud of:
🥇 27 Gold medals
🥈 103 Silver medals
🥉 55 Bronze medals

The international judging panel was chaired by Dirceu Vianna Junior MW and brought together seven wine experts from across the industry: Philipp Reinstaller, Emma Penman, David Kermode, Adam Michocki MS, Victoria Daskal and Alistair Cooper MW – representing sommeliers, buyers, journalists and leading wine professionals.

But there was more to discover than what was in the judging glasses. 🍇 During four days in Austria, the judges got a first-hand look at the diversity of Austrian wine:

📍 An introduction to Austrian wine, its regulations, styles and current developments
📍 A journey through Styrian wine history and Sauvignon Blanc with Wein Steiermark
📍 A walk through Vienna’s vineyards with WienWein, followed by a tasting and traditional Viennese cuisine
📍 Vineyard and cellar visits in Carnuntum and a tasting with winemakers from Thermenregion, organised by Wein Niederösterreich

And there’s another reason to celebrate: @winzersax was awarded the Wine Producer Trophy 2026, with 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze medal 🏆

For our Gold medal winners, the journey continues: their wines will soon be tasted again in London, putting Austrian wine on the international stage once more. 🇦🇹🌍

A big thank you to everyone who welcomed the judges, shared their wines and stories, and made these four days such a special showcase for Austrian wine ❤️

@viannawine @mrvinosaurus @itstherealphilipp.reinstaller @waitrose_emma @beatricebessi_somm @zakytoo @adam.michocki_ms @christelleg.wine
@wienwein @weinniederoesterreich @weinsteiermark

📹 © Austrian Wine

#AustrianWine #IWSC #AustrianWineTime #WineFromAustria

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🇦🇹🍷 Austria impresses at the IWSC 2026!

194 wines. 64 wineries. 7 international judges. And an impressive 185 medals for Austrian wine 🏅

From 10th to 13th of August, an international panel of wine experts travelled to Austria for this year’s IWSC Wine Judging in Austria. Over two intensive judging days, the judges tasted 194 wines – with results we’re more than proud of:
🥇 27 Gold medals
🥈 103 Silver medals
🥉 55 Bronze medals

The international judging panel was chaired by Dirceu Vianna Junior MW and brought together seven wine experts from across the industry: Philipp Reinstaller, Emma Penman, David Kermode, Adam Michocki MS, Victoria Daskal and Alistair Cooper MW – representing sommeliers, buyers, journalists and leading wine professionals.

But there was more to discover than what was in the judging glasses. 🍇 During four days in Austria, the judges got a first-hand look at the diversity of Austrian wine:

📍 An introduction to Austrian wine, its regulations, styles and current developments
📍 A journey through Styrian wine history and Sauvignon Blanc with Wein Steiermark
📍 A walk through Vienna’s vineyards with WienWein, followed by a tasting and traditional Viennese cuisine
📍 Vineyard and cellar visits in Carnuntum and a tasting with winemakers from Thermenregion, organised by Wein Niederösterreich

And there’s another reason to celebrate: @winzersax was awarded the Wine Producer Trophy 2026, with 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze medal 🏆

For our Gold medal winners, the journey continues: their wines will soon be tasted again in London, putting Austrian wine on the international stage once more. 🇦🇹🌍

A big thank you to everyone who welcomed the judges, shared their wines and stories, and made these four days such a special showcase for Austrian wine ❤️

@viannawine @mrvinosaurus @itstherealphilipp.reinstaller @waitrose_emma @beatricebessi_somm @zakytoo @adam.michocki_ms @christelleg.wine
@wienwein @weinniederoesterreich @weinsteiermark

📹 © Austrian Wine

#AustrianWine #IWSC #AustrianWineTime #WineFromAustria

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Global Judging with IWSC in Austria was a rather fabulous week! Thank you so much I could be part of it.
Nearly 200 wines judged with so many getting Silver and Gold shows superb quality you can expect from @austrianwine

Evening with Styrian wines showed the evolution of the styles of their Sauvignon over decades from high acid, to oaky stuff, then reductive to now what seems to be a superior for all their lees aged wines. Absolutely eye opening tasting.

Then day with Wiener Gemischter Satz, next day with Carnuntum and Thermenregion. Generous hosts and top notch hospitality.

Ate possibly the best schnitzel in my life

The Baden Boyz were born haha

Found a new producer for @central.wines 🤫
.
.
@theiwsc
#mastersommelier #winesofaustria #austrianwine

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IWSC Austria 2026.

Joyous company and seriously impressive wines, as always.

Thank you @austrianwine @theiwsc

♥️ 🇦🇹 🍷

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In my bullish moments, I convince myself I could work the floor as a sommelier.

Then I sit and watch the finalists at UK Sommelier of the Year, and that idea immediately terrifies me.

Because for the next few hours, these people are completely alone and exposed in front of a 200 strong audience of industry peers.

They’re asked to blind taste six wines live on stage. They have to spot the tiniest mistakes on a wine list (would you remember that Salon never produced a 2000 vintage????). They role-play service while being scrutinised by Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers and assorted wine bigwigs; the very people they’ve looked up to throughout their careers. Every movement, every recommendation, every word and every decision is being assessed.

Then comes the challenge that makes my palms sweat (or, rather, every part of me sweat given the sweltering conditions during the competition) just thinking about it: pouring a jeroboam into 23 glasses so that every single pour is the same, with exactly enough wine left in the bottle for one final identical pour.

The composure required is extraordinary.

But what impresses me even more is knowing none of this happens by accident.

It’s built on years of relentless dedication. Their days off were spent visiting vineyards. In the evenings they were hunched over books. Holidays consisted of wandering vineyards, not lazed away, kicking back on a beach with an Aperol spritz. They’ve tasted thousands of wines, repeatedly practiced service drills, memorised maps, vintages, producers and appellations.

There are no shortcuts to getting on that stage.

Just by being there every candidate had already achieved something remarkable by dedicating themselves to a pursuit that can never truly be mastered.

I have nothing but admiration for every one of them.

Congratulations to all the competitors. Double congratulations to the finalists Willem Powell & Dolly Chao, and an extra special bloody well done to the winner, the slick and confident Emma Denny. 🍾🍾🍾

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We are delighted to congratulate the 2026 UK Sommelier of the Year Semi-Finalists…

-Beatrice Bessi - Head Sommelier, Chiltern Firehouse Hotel
-Dolly Chao - Wine Manager, LaBombe by Trivet
-Emma Denney - Director of Wine, Claridge’s
-Kristina Gladilina - Head of Wine, Lita
-Alexis Legrand - Assistant Head Sommlier, Da Terra Restaurant
-Zareh Mesrobyan - Head of Wine, Estelle Manor
-Joanna Nerantzi - Head Sommelier, Raffles London at the OWO
-Wilem Powell - Head of Beverage, Bibi, London
-Sam Weatherill - Wine Director, etch by Steven Edwards
-Anke Hartmann - Representing Ireland
-Emma Ziemann - Representing Sweden

In just moments, three of these will be named as the Finalists and compete live on stage from 2pm.

Tune in (livestream link in bio!)

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Ruinart Sommelier Challenge 🏆

So fun and so happy to be standing here with @zakytoo and @jo.somm_

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RONÏS Brut Nature Reserva is an IWSC 2026 winner 🥂

We’re proud to share that RONÏS Brut Nature Reserva has been awarded Silver at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2026 @theiwsc , one of the most prestigious annual beverage competitions in the world.

This year, more than 130 leading wine professionals evaluated nearly 4,000 wines from 39 countries through a rigorous blind tasting process.

Ronïs Brut Nature Reserva 2022 has been evaluated by respected industry voices such as John Hoskins MW, David Kermode, Megan Clarke, and Zareh Mesrobyan.

Our Brut Nature Reserva was recognised for its precise aromas, creamy mousse, fresh acidity and minerality — qualitiesddd that define our vision of premium organic Cava.

This recognition is an important milestone and a meaningful confirmation of the quality, craftsmanship, and identity behind each of our bottles.

We’re honoured to be among this year’s winners. ✨

#iwsc #iwscwinner #iwscresults

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