There's a new Best Sommelier in B.C. (and he's from Vancouver)

Let's raise a glass to Sean Nelson of Vancouver's Vij's who was just named B.C.'s Best Sommelier for 2018.

Photo: Pixabay

The annual competition, run by the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers British Columbia Chapter (CAPS BC), was held this week at Rogers Arena, bringing together the region's brightest minds in wine to tackle a rigorous written exam and a hands-on practical test that put the top finishers through their paces.

13 competitors from B.C. sat for the morning's exam, and the top three scorers--Nelson, and second and third place winners Matthew Landry (Stable House Bistro, Vancouver) and Todd Prucyk (Hawksworth Restaurant, Vancouver)--went on to be tested further. They were tasked with all sorts of practical wine actions, like opening and pouring sparkling wine perfectly, spotting errors in a written wine menu, and blind tasting and identifying wines.

Sean Nelson during the competition (Photo courtesy Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers British Columbia Chapter)

Oh, and the finalists did all of those in front of an audience of about 100 spectators.

Another exciting facet of the competition was a new branch designed for somms just getting their start in the business. The all-new 2018 BC Aspiring Sommelier Competitio mimics the Best Sommelier B.C. format in order to give aspiring sommeliers the opportunity to understand what the competition is all about.

The winner of the inaugural Aspiring Sommelier Competition 2018 is Ian Wharton of Blue Water Café in Vancouver, while the runner-up was Alex Anderson of Tap Restaurant in Surrey. Anderson, incidentally, works at Tap under the supervision of a prior Best Sommelier in B.C. winner (2016), Alistair Veen.

Still basking in yesterday's #BestSommBC glory! Our very own @wine.with.alexx received SECOND place in the Aspiring Somm Competition ?? Alistair was honoured to be a table judge while @sommwineguy @m.g.landry @hawksworthrest absolutely blew away the crowd with their tasting and service skills. ? to all the competitors @m.hi.ram @findadamfast @calenmac @christinahartigan @scottyitsyersel @peter_van @jessification @sonorawines @terezabellla @jaytonjames ? Huge thanks to @caps_bc @jy.jwine @rhymeswithdilettante @djwines @michaelawine and all the sponsors who organized an amazing event ??

A post shared by Tap Restaurant (@taprestaurant) on Jan 30, 2018 at 7:39pm PST

"B.C. is leading the way with this competition. The sommelier community continues to build in BC and it is truly something special," says 2015 Best Sommelier in B.C. winner Jason Yamasaki.

Wine lovers, if you are looking to dine out in Vancouver, you may want to head to the spots that just sent their somms into either of these competitions, as you know they will know their stuff! Here's the full list:

Christina Hartigan, Botanist

Calen Macdonald, Blue Water Cafe

Michael Hiram, AnnaLena

Matthew Landry, The Stable House Bistro

Shane Lobsinger, Sonora Resort

Adam Mayhew, Yew at Four Seasons Hotel

Scott Mitchell, AnnaLena

Sean Nelson, Vij's

Jayton Paul, Hawksworth Restaurant

Todd Prucyk, Hawksworth Restaurant

Tereza Roux, Wedgewood Hotel

Peter Van de Reep, Campagnolo

Jesse Walters, Burdock & Co.

Aspiring Sommeliers:

Ian Wharton, Blue Water Cafe.

Alex Anderson, Tap Restaurant.

Noel Hollett, Vancouver Club

Jasmin Kohli-Bryans, AnnaLena

Michael Wong, Chambar

Eliza Bashkirova, Botanist