The Revue du Vin de France awards French sommeliers

he French sommelier organisation, represented by Fabrice Sommier and Philippe Faure-Brac, was awarded one of the top 2025 awards by the Revue du Vin de France magazine for the personality of the year. Its two illustrious representatives, viz Fabrice Sommier, the current chairman of the French sommelier organisation (UDSF) and Philippe Faure-Brac, his predecessor from 2016 to 2023, received the award on behalf of the entire sommelier profession from the editorial and tasting boards at the magazine.

“Sommeliers embody French excellence and are the ambassadors of our wine regions. They put words to emotions. They understand what their customers expect, allow them to experience some very special occasions and guide them towards the cellars of winegrowers”, stressed Fabrice Sommier after receiving the award on behalf of the profession. Sommeliers are the latest to receive the accolade, after Bernard Arnault in 2024, for their work as “wine emissaries”, as per a press statement.

“Fabrice Sommier, Philippe Faure-Brac and all French sommeliers as ambassadors of the history, commitment and diversity of the sommelier profession in France, convey the taste and culture of wine as a part of French identity”, adds the statement. The award also recognises sommeliers’ ability to adapt, “without distancing themselves from their deep-rooted values of sharing knowledge and heritage along with brotherhood”. Founded in 1959, the French sommelier organisation UDSF also promotes French excellence through competitions and sommelier training programmes.

The association represents the leading sommelier community in the country. Under his tenure, Fabrice Sommier has designated diversity, young people and heritage sharing as the pillars of the organisation so that the sommelier profession can shine on both the national stage and in the international arena.