Latvian Kaspars Reitups wins “Vana Tallinn Grand Prix 2019”
For the second year in a row, a latvian sommelier has claimed the title of Champion of the Baltics. That nation’s capital Riga played host to the two-day “Vana Tallinn Grand Prix 2019” contest, held on 18 – 19 October. Latvian Kaspars Reitups was named winner, followed by Ketri Leis of Estonia and Ņikita Zaičenoks, also of Latvia. In a separate contest, the title of Best Young Sommelier went to Kristijonas Valančiūnas of Lithuania.
The Vana Tallinn Grand Prix is the most prestigious contest of sommeliers in the Baltic states, with this year being the 14th edition of the contest. “Every year the bar is set higher and higher both in terms of the organization of the contest, as well as the level of the competitors. Without a doubt Baltic sommeliers can compete on equal ground with sommeliers from traditional wine countries, such as Spain, France and Italy, as well as at sommelier world championships,” explains Jānis Kaļķis, President of the Latvian Sommelier Association and head of the contest jury.
The “Vana Tallinn Grand Prix” contest has been organised since 2006 by AS “Liviko” in cooperation with the Sommelier Associations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The contest is named for the legendary Estonian liqueur Vana Tallinn. Last year’s contest was held in Estonia.