Jonathan Ray Jonathan Ray

What it takes to be Best Sommelier of the World

I saw the competitors face off in Tokyo. It’s absurdly rigorous

[Photo by Reg Speller/Fox Photos/Getty Images] 
issue 28 June 2014

It is blossom time in Tokyo. An unruly pack of journalists, photographers and TV crews prowls the corridors of the Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa, where a world championship is taking place. Where’s the smart money going? Who’s looking good and who’s out of sorts? Who stayed out last night and who was tucked up in bed nice and early?

‘That’s Bruce, the coach of the Canadian team, he’ll know what’s cooking,’ mutters a colleague as an anxious looking guy scuttles past.

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