Mikk Parre Crowned Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East 2024. [read the full champagne story]
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Mikk Parre, a celebrated sommelier from Estonia, has won the prestigious ASI Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East 2024 competition held in Belgrade, Serbia. Parre triumphed over Pascaline Lepeltier of France and Martynas Pravilonis of Lithuania in an intense final that tested their skills in tasting, service, and composure under pressure.
This year’s competition featured 41 national champions, culminating in a series of rigorous challenges for the finalists. Tasks included blind tastings, correcting errors on wine lists, and executing complex service scenarios under tight time constraints. Parre’s ability to excel in both technical precision and personable service won over the judges, reflecting his philosophy that “humanity and the ability to connect with people” are key traits for any great sommelier.
The victory also marks a significant milestone for the Baltic region, following Latvia’s Raimonds Tomsons’ world title win in 2023. Parre’s success highlights the growing prominence of Baltic sommeliers on the global stage. After his win, Parre expressed a mix of joy and awe, noting the immense effort that went into achieving this recognition .
With this accolade, Parre becomes an ambassador for sommeliers worldwide, embodying the excellence and passion that defines this profession.
