2018 Edition: Record number of samples tasted!

The 9th edition of the Lyon International Competition took place on Saturday, 24 March 2018, at the Cité Internationale in Lyon.
6860 samples were tasted by the 850 tasters from France and elsewhere, under the supervision of an independent inspector.

TSUYOSHI ARAI, a Michelin-starred chef in Lyon and honorary president of the competition reminded the tasters that “chefs want the time spent at their tables to be unforgettable. For that to happen the wine accompanying a dish must be the best suited, and it must be of high quality. [...] So it is reassuring to choose a bottle awarded by a competition like the one in Lyon, whose growing notoriety is a direct result of its rigorous organisation and the seriousness of the tasters here today.”

The wines
With 5800 wines tasted, and 900 Gold and 977 Silver medals awarded, the 2018 edition demonstrated that the Competition is a rising star.

One wine in particular stood out: Domaine Schneider - Rouge barriques 2015, which obtained a score of 100/100! More information: Domaine Schneider

Beers and spirits
Beers and spirits were also well-represented at the event, with 775 samples tasted. In all, 223 medals were awarded this year.

A brown beer from Brasserie la Chavagn' obtained the best score of all the beers tasted: 96/100.
More information: Brasserie La Chavagn’ - Brune

As for spirits, Réuni Rhum stood out with its ‘Réuni Rhum - Rhum Métiss Gingembre/Citron’ ginger/lemon rum. Its score: 93/100. More information:Réuni Rhum – Rhum Métiss

In all, 36 countries were represented: France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Slovakia, Australia, Greece, Turkey, the United States, the Czech Republic, Lebanon, Albania, New Zealand, Finland, Taiwan…

Conference on ‘Wine and the digital world, implementation and perspectives’
Right after the tasting, tasters had the opportunity to attend a conference organised in partnership with the École du Vin. The conference was presented by the director of the school, Olivier Thiénot.
The subject was debated by speakers truly at the heart of the matter:
-       Clémence Durieux, Le Bon Gustave
-       Audrey Domenach, Mon Viti
-       Sébastien Bricout, Domaine du goût

"A number of projects involving wine and the digital world were described and discussed at the conference. The audience was receptive but pointed out the importance of not alienating winemakers, who are increasingly computer-savvy and use the internet as a social tool or for training." - Olivier Thiénot

Presentation of the Sommellerie Trophy for 2018
The Lyon International Competition has created a scholarship for students who have chosen a ‘sommellerie’ focus.
To win the prize, students put together a dossier presenting a trip they would like to take and then explain their choices in an interview.

The Sommellerie Trophy was awarded to Yéléna Sanchis and Océane Costa, who presented a dossier on Sabile Wine Hill, in Latvia.

Reminder on figures
6085 wines and 610 beers and 165 spirits tasted
850 tasters present
999 Gold Medals
1010 Silver Medals
36 countries represented