After being named best sommelier in Reunion at the Vinocité 2023 trade fair, Florent Jonquille, wine merchant at Nicolas, participated on February 12 in Paris in the selection test for the finalists of the competition for the best sommelier in France. “A very nice experience”, he testifies. A pride also for COVINO Réunion.
“Young wine enthusiast, I made gastronomy a real way of life. Being sporty, I am always looking for new challenges. It seemed natural to me to enter the competition for the best sommelier in Reunion organized by the Association of Sommeliers of Reunion.”, declares Florent Jonquille, cellar manager and sommelier & wine bar Nicolas de Saint-Denis, became best sommelier in Reunion in November 2023. The Reunion competition is organized under the aegis of the Union of French Sommellerie (USDF). Philippe Faure-Brac, best sommelier in the world 1992, came as honorary president, was part of the 2023 jury. Thanks to this title of best sommelier in Reunion, Florent Jonquille had the opportunity to be the first overseas candidate, coming from Reunion Island, to participate in the selection of the best sommelier in France, organized by UDSF and Vinexpo-Wine. This flagship event in the world of wine, which took place on February 12, 2024 in Paris, had to decide between 34 participants from all over France.
Congratulations from David Cailleux
Although not a finalist, it was “a very nice experience”, welcomes Florent Jonquille, whose pride is shared by David Cailleux, the general director of COVINO Réunion, subsidiary of the Castel group. “I am very happy for Florent. I find it great to have represented Reunion Island in mainland France in this prestigious competition.. This great participation means a lot to all of us. It shows that we have talents in Reunion, and it testifies to the level of professionalism of our teams at the Nicolas cellars. »
