CAPS ANNOUNCES BEST SOMMELIER OF CANADA 2023 and Launches SOMM U (University)

Presented by Vins du Val de Loire

Published: Aug. 11, 2023, 8:24 a.m.

Announcing Best Sommelier of Canada and SOMM U

 

Nova Scotia Welcomes Canada’s Best Sommeliers
 

Nova Scotia is abuzz with excitement as it prepares to host the prestigious Best Sommelier of Canada Contest presented by Loire Valley Wines November 13th to 15th, 2023. The event which will be held concurrently with SOMM U (University), will draw the best sommeliers from across Canada to compete for the prestigious title, and learn during the event’s various master classes and tastings.

Celebrating Wine Excellence
 

The Best Sommelier of Canada Contest is a highly anticipated tri-annual event that draws the top sommeliers from all corners of the country. The contest organized by the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) and its Atlantic Chapter will be a showcase of the extraordinary skills and expertise of sommeliers who dedicate their lives to learning about, and serving, various beverages. To make the final competition, contestants must be a current or past champion of one of CAPS’ six regional chapter contests. 

Introducing SOMM U: educating Canadian sommeliers
 

SOMM U is a new initiative by CAPS, which seeks to provide Canadian sommeliers with diverse educational experiences ranging from Master Classes on regions such as the Loire Valley, introduction to other beverages including sake, a Master of Wine led blind tasting session and more. Event organizer, and former CAPS National President, Mark DeWolf, says “the contest and university aims to promote the culture of Sommellerie whilst also recognizing the skills of the top sommeliers in the country. The competitors will undergo a rigorous series of challenges that will put their knowledge, tasting abilities, and service skills to the test. From blind tasting sessions to theoretical examinations, contestants will demonstrate their mastery of the world of beverages and the delicate art of food and drink pairing.”

 

 

Meeting of the Wine Minds
 

Several leading sommeliers will act as both judges and seminar providers at the event, with Quebec’s Veronique Rivest acting as lead judge, alongside well-known wine personality, writer and founder of Tasting Climate Change, Michelle Bouffard and Jennifer Huether, one of only five Canadians to hold the title of Master Sommelier. Other visitors include Clare Tooley, Master of Wine, William Wouters, President of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale, Michael Tremblay Sake Samurai and many others.

A Gourmet Gathering in Halifax
 

Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, is a vibrant city that blends the charm of a historic maritime port with a contemporary, cosmopolitan feel. Renowned for its warm hospitality and thriving culinary scene, Halifax is the perfect host for the Best Sommelier of Canada Contest and SOMM U. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the city offers breathtaking views and a distinct maritime atmosphere that will enchant contestants and visitors alike.

A Cultural and Culinary Experience
 

The contest in Halifax promises to be an extraordinary experience for both sommeliers and spectators. Besides the intense competition, attendees will have the opportunity to explore the region's rich cultural heritage, wine country and immerse themselves in Atlantic Canada's renowned gastronomy. Featured events during the week including a Taste of France dinner which matches local foods with French wines and a highly anticipated gala dinner event, where the Best Sommelier of Canada will be announced.

Join Us at the Best Sommelier of Canada Contest and SOMM U
 

As wine enthusiasts and industry professionals gear up for this much-anticipated event, CAPS invites sommeliers, wine press, and wine lovers from across Canada and beyond to witness the excitement of the Best Sommelier of Canada Contest and SOMM U in Halifax. This is a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the world of wine and other beverages, learn ingfrom the best in the field, and discover the remarkable talents that define the Canadian sommelier community.

For media inquiries, press registration, and event details, please visit the official contest website at www.sommu.ca.

Follow the contest updates on social media using the hashtag #BestSommCanada2023 #SOMMU #LoireValleyWines

About CAPS

The Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the sommelier profession in Canada. It provides education, training, and certification programs for sommeliers and aims to elevate the level of Sommellerie across the country.

Contact Information

Media Relations

Best Sommelier of Canada Contest & SOMM U
Email: markdewolf@asi.info
Phone: 902-219-1454

CAPS Atlantic Updates

To all students on behalf of everyone at CAPSAC we want to thank you for your patience as we navigate yet another delay in executing our classes. With the restrictions in place and vaccinations still underway we hope this postponement is our last one! 

UPDATE TO SPRING 2021 CLASSES BELOW:

Sensory Development and Wine Styles

Originally scheduled to begin on May 2nd, now postponed to September, 2021.

In light of the recent Covid-19 restrictions in Nova Scotia and the uncertainty with respect to being able to hold in-person classes in the near future, the Education Committee, in consultation with the instructors, have decided to postpone Sensory Development and Wine Styles until September of this year. This decision was made because we feel that it is essential that students who are starting the program get the best possible foundation on which to build their wine education. This is especially true for wine tasting, which is best done in a group setting so that students and instructors can interact and discuss the nuances of wine styles, regions, faults, etc. This simply cannot be done effectively by remote learning. We remain committed to ensuring that all students get the best possible experience from their wine education and look forward to doing whatever we can to help you along the way.

Methods of Winemaking:

Originally scheduled for May 11, 16 and 18; now postponed until further notice.

In light of the recent Covid-19 restrictions in Nova Scotia and the uncertainty with respect to being able to hold in-person classes and travel within the Province, the Education Committee, in consultation with the instructors, have decided to postpone Methods of Winemaking until it is practical to do so. At this time we are unable to give a tentative starting date but will do so as soon as we are able to.

Sommelier Management: UPDATE MAY 25

Class has been postponed until a later date

Registration is now open for two upcoming wine courses!

Sensory Development and Wine Styles – Module #1

Traditionally only offered in the fall Sensory is the first module of your sommelier certification. This 10 session course will be held twice a week from May2-31.

https://capsac.wildapricot.org/event-4092030

Sommelier Management – Module #6. Please note that this course is open to students who have successfully completed both New World and Old World modules.

https://capsac.wildapricot.org/event-4247207

In addition to New World the CAPS-AC Education Committee is evaluating whether or not to offer a January session of Sensory Development and Wine Styles. Students who succeed in Sensory would then be able to begin Old World in September. The link to register is below;

The CAPS-AC Education Committee is evaluating whether or not to offer the New World Wine Regions course due to start in January

https://capsac.wildapricot.org/event-4089065 

It will depend primarily on the number of students interested in taking the course, but may be affected by other Covid-related, factors as well. If offered, the course would likely start in the second half of January. At this time we are asking for your interest in taking the course if offered. If you are committed to taking the course and haven't signed up yet please do so as soon as possible so we can get an accurate idea of potential class size. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

Dears Members and Students of CAPS-Atlantic

We sincerely hope that you and your family are well and that you've adjusted as best you can to our current circumstances. As businesses around Nova Scotia prepare to reopen, we wanted to provide our members with an update on the status of CAPS-AC activities.

Education

With the exception of the New World course currently being delivered over Zoom, there will be no new courses offered until September. The Certified Sommelier program is normally on hiatus over the summer months anyway. Stay tuned for further announcements on fall course offerings in August.

Tasting Events

While restaurants and other venues have permission to resume operations in a modified way as early as this Friday June 5, we anticipate continued challenges in safely gathering people from various households. We have therefore decided to suspend our monthly tasting events through the summer. We hope to resume our monthly tastings in September and will provide you with an update on those plans near the end of the summer.

While opportunities for our community of wine lovers to connect in person continue to be limited, we will continue to share opportunities for you to learn and connect online. See below for two such opportunities, this week.

Stay safe and we look forward to sharing a glass with you again soon!

CAPS - Atlantic Chapter

The Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers - Atlantic Chapter has overseen the creation of a Master Class curriculum featuring the wines and regional food pairings of Nova Scotia. In partnership with regional CAPS chapters across Canada, our objective is to deliver this Master Class throughout the Canadian market in seminars across the country. The target demographic for this Master Class will be sommeliers and trained wine professionals across Canada. The Master Class curriculum has already been developed, under a previous RFP (18-001), and includes a comprehensive student Study Guide, along with a series of PowerPoint presentations that reflect the units of study in the Study Guide.

The objective of this Request for Proposals (RFP 18-002) is to secure a qualified instructor to deliver the Master Class in five (5) target markets across Canada: Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vancouver. Selection criteria are described in detail in the Evaluation Factors section of the RFP. The deadline for submissions is February 22, 2019. Please refer to the attached RFP document for further details.  

RFP 18-002 - FINAL - version 1.0.pdf

Any queries regarding submissions may be directed to Cheryl Doherty: president@atlantic.sommelierscanada.ca

Discover Argentine Malbec beyond the limits of what is known & experience the potential of Argentina’s emerging varietals 

CAPS Master Class on Malbec World Day 

Tuesday, April 17th 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., East of Grafton, Halifax

 Celebrate Malbec World Day 2018 with National CAPS President and wine writer, Mark DeWolf, at a presentation and tasting of 30+ Argentine wines that will demonstrate the impact of terroir, altitude, latitude and mountains on diverse expressions of Malbec, Argentina’s flagship grape, amidst an exciting roster of emerging varietals and wine styles. Mark will share insights and experiences from his recent trip to Argentina’s premiere wine regions of Mendoza, San Juan and Salta. The evening includes a tutored, comparative tasting of 15+ Malbec preceded by a walk-around tasting showing the ever increasing diversity of varietals and styles emerging from Argentina. 

Participating wineries: Alamos Winery | Bodega Argento | Clos de Los Siete | El Esteco | Familia Zuccardi | Finca Las Moras | Los Toneles | Mascota Vineyards | Bodega Norton | Trapiche | Trivento 

Representing regions and sub-regions, that include: Mendoza – Agrelo, Lujan de Cuyo, Vista Flores, Maipu Mendoza, Valle de Uco – Los Arboles, Gualtallary, Paraje Altamira Salta – Valle de Calchaqui, Cafayete San Juan – Valle Pedernal, Valle de Tulum, Valle de Zonda

The Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers - Atlantic Chapter is tasked with creating a Master Class curriculum featuring the wine and regional food pairings of Nova Scotia. The attached is a request for proposals to fulfill that task. 

The objective of this request is to secure a qualified curriculum developer who will successfully develop the Master Class curriculum and all associated course materials, including but not limited to, a comprehensive study guide. Power point presentation (s), suggested food and wine pairing exercises and any other relevant study materials. While cost will be a significant factor, other criteria will form the basis of the award decision. Selection criteria are described in detail in the Evaluation Factors section of this RFP. Deadline for submissions is March 21st 2018. Other deadlines are contained with in the document. 

Any queries regarding submissions may be directed to Cheryl Doherty at president@atlantic.sommelierscanada.ca

RFP Master Class.pdf