Who's in our selection committee?

With his head held high, his shoulders squared, and his feet jammed together as if he were about to do a double salto, Olivier Poussier has the look of a competitor. And for good reason: this native of the Sarthe region practiced gymnastics for a long time as a teenager.

From this rigorous training emerged a strong sense of duty, an appreciation for effort and commitment, and an eye for beauty. Short of a military career, Olivier invested himself in the sommelier profession, learning with a competitor’s dedication everything possible about wine, its regions, and techniques. After a first stint as a sommelier at the Tour d’Argent when he was 17 years old, he made a detour to England to learn Her Majesty’s language before setting off for the podiums.

Gaston Lenôtre, the eponymous founder of the house to which he has remained faithful for 25 years, helped him in his ultimate pursuit: it was in 2000, in Montreal, that he was crowned Best Sommelier in the World. An exceptional achievement in the profession, an award granted only to the best of the best.

His thirst for knowledge is not something he likes to keep to himself. As a great teacher who enjoys sharing what he knows with anybody lucky enough to listen, Olivier loves to share good food with great friends, the AS Saint-Etienne, and the subtleties of the Rioja. Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of the vineyards, the wine varieties, the soil’s nature, and the name of every wine vintage from every producer, Olivier still strives to discover new producers and techniques, always keeping an eye out for emerging talents. A true master of his craft!

« Wine is made to be shared and bring people together. » O.Poussier