16/01/2026
🇲🇺 🍷 🥇 🏆
ASI Member News: Consecutive Wins for Mauritius of Ubuntu International Sommelier Trophy 🏆
Team Mauritius has once again claimed the Ubuntu International Sommelier Trophy, securing a second consecutive victory at the 2025 edition held on 8 December at the historic Lanzerac Hotel in Stellenbosch. 👏🤩 Competing against teams from Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa, the continental final brought together Africa’s top sommelier talent following demanding semi-finals that tested skills across w**e service, blind tasting, theory, sake and b**r identification, menu explanation and pairing challenges. 💪 The final round, hosted in partnership with Stellenbosch W**e Routes, further showcased the competitors’ versatility with tasks spanning sparkling w**e service, still and fortified w**es, spirits, water service and b**r-and-food pairing, all overseen by an international jury chaired by Giuseppe Vaccarini, former ASI Best Sommelier of the World.🥂
Team Mauritius who was represented by Jaisen Pandoo and Shani Ramasawmy, both former national champions, retained the Ubuntu Trophy, while George Young (South Africa) earned the highest individual score, receiving the Stellenbosch W**e Routes Award. 🍷 Featuring eight finalists from Mauritius, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa, the sixth edition of the Ubuntu Trophy reaffirmed its role as a vital platform for showcasing African excellence in sommellerie. The event was organised by Jean-Vincent Ridon. 👏
Our congratulations to the winners, all competitors and the organising committee - a memorable sommelier event for Africa! 🔥
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