PRESS RELEASE
21.12.2022
THE BNIC HAS PARTNERED UP WITH THE ASI COMPETITION FOR THE BEST SOMMELIER OF THE WORLD PARIS 2023
The BNIC and 12 Cognac houses have joined forces to support the ASI Competition for the Best Sommelier of the World Paris 2023, taking place in February. For the first time, the BNIC will partner up with the organizers of this prestigious competition, namely the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) and the Union De la Sommellerie Française(UDSF). The Cognac appellation will seize this opportunity to promote its expertise to competing sommeliers and panelists.
© BNIC / Aurélien Terrade
Thanks to its aromatic complexity and diversity, Cognac offers sommeliers a wide array of options to propose to enthusiasts. The BNIC and 12 Cognac houses (Hennessy, Martell, Rémy Martin, ABK6, Ansac, Boinaud, Delamain, Distillerie des Moisans – Deau, Ferrand, Frapin, Grand Marnier, and Hine) have joined forces to support the ASI Competition for the Best Sommelier of the World Paris 2023, taking place in February. This Cognac group has partnered up with the competition’s organizers, namely the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) and the Union de la Sommellerie Française (UDSF).
Over five days, from February 7 to 12, 2023, the event will feature a series of Cognac highlights, including Cognac and food pairings offered during three dinners, a masterclass, a showcase of the Cognac category during the evening announcement of the semi-finalists at Paris City Hall, a dedicated space at the sommelier bar every night, etc. The program was specially designed by the 12 Cognac houses and the BNIC to emphasize the diversity of the Cognac appellation, both in terms of product profiles and ways of serving and drinking Cognac.
Organized for the first time in France since 1989, the competition will also help promote the various terroirs of the French vineyards. With this partnership, the Cognac sector intends to remind sommeliers how it is strongly rooted in the French wine industry, whose excellence is widely known. Cognac is an iconic wine spirit exported and appreciated worldwide, and a prominent feature in the restaurants of international chefs. “Cognac is the benchmark wine spirit! It is iconic and timeless”, Philippe Faure-Brac, President of the UDSF and winner of the Best Sommelier of the World competition in 1992, highlights.
Cognac partners:
- BNIC
- Hennessy
- Martell
- Rémy Martin
- ABK6
- Ansac
- Boinaud
- Delamain
- Distillerie des Moisans (Deau)
- Ferrand
- Frapin
- Grand Marnier
- Hine
ABOUT THE BNIC
The BNIC, or Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac, represents, develops and preserves the Cognac AOC (Appellation d’origine contrôlée), both in France and abroad.
In the 150+ countries where Cognac is sold, this Geographical Indication provides consumers with a guarantee that they are buying an outstanding wine spirit. Comprising an equal number of members from the winegrowing and commercial sides of the industry, the BNIC is a coordination and decision-making body which brings together almost 4,300 winegrowers and grower-distillers, 120 professional distillers, and 290 merchants operating within the appellation.
The BNIC defends the interests of Cognac producers and consumers, with an unwavering commitment to everyone with an interest in this appellation.
