Top sommeliers to compete for Champagne prizes

The country's best sommeliers will go head to head in the finals of the Champagne Ruinart Sommelier of the Year 2004, taking place on 15 April. Fifteen sommeliers will compete in the semi-finals, which take place on the same day at the same venue London's Dorchester hotel - and three of them will be chosen for the final.

The fifteen already selected candidates will be judged on a written questionnaire, a blindfolded tasting and practical skills. The candidates were chosen on 3 March, following regional finals. Among the semi-finallists are last year's runners up: Matthew Wilkin from the Capital Hotel in London, and Eric Zweibel from the Cliveden hotel in Taplow, Berkshire, who automatically qualify.

In the finals the sommeliers will be judged on correcting errors on a wine list, matching wines with food, opening Champagne, serving cigars and identifying wines.

The winner will receive a three-day visit to Champagne in France for two people as guests of Champagne Ruinart. A crystal trophy,a certificate and a selection of Ruinart Champagne are also first prizes.

The competition is organised by the Academy of Food and Wine Service and aims to promote the profession.