2016 Vin de Champagne Awards Finalists Announced

August, 2016. Champagne Bureau, Australia has just announced the 11 finalists in the 42nd biennial Vin de Champagne Awards, one of Australia’s most coveted wine accolades honouring Australia’s enduring relationship with France’s Champagne region.
Organised on behalf of France’s Comité Champagne, the Vin de Champagne Awards celebrate the enjoyment of Champagne in Australia and aim to cultivate a network of Champagne specialists to act as ambassadors in Australia.

Finalists were selected in the following categories:

Professional – for people who gain an income from the food and wine industry

Peta Baverstock (SA) : Cellar Door Manager, Loaves & Fishes
Samantha Faircloth (Qld): Area Manager, Negociants Australia
Anja Lewis (WA) : Wine Training and Consulting, Canny Grapes
Kara Maisano (Vic): Sommelier, Masani Italian Dining & Terrace
Cameron O’Keefe (Vic): Sommelier, Centra
Saskia Valenti (WA): Jane Brook Estate Wines

Amateur – for those who have a passion about Champagne

Nicky Goodyer (NSW): Florist, Aahh Flowers
Tim Heath (NSW): Marketing Operations, Telstra                                           
Sara Underdown (SA): Corporate Writer  
Nicole Smith (Qld): Practice Manager, Sunshine Eye Clinic                                              
Michael Solomons (NSW): CEO, The Queens Club

Entrants answered essay questions about Champagne’s viticulture, terroir and history, and were expected to display comprehensive knowledge of the Champagne industry.

* The Vin de Champagne Awards are supported by the Alliance Française de Sydney, Riedel, Fisheads, Victor Churchill and the Four Seasons Hotel.