A rising figure in French sommellerie, Marie WODECKI, Best Young Sommelier of France in 2023, presided over the 39th Chablis Wine Competition organized on January 18, 2025, by the Office of Chablis and the Burgundy Wine Bureau.
Three former presidents, loyal to the competition, were also present this year: Gérard MARGEON, executive head sommelier for the Alain Ducasse group; Toshio MATSUURA, Japanese journalist; and Jean-Luc Jamrozik, president of the Paris Sommeliers Association.
The 72 jury members tasted the 2023 vintage for the Petit Chablis, Chablis, and Chablis Premier Cru appellations and the 2022 vintage for the Chablis Grand Cru AOC. They awarded 19 medals out of the 292 wines presented.
A unique feature of this competition: professionals presenting samples cannot be part of the jury. The tasters include journalists, restaurateurs, sommeliers, brokers, oenologists, winemakers, or informed amateurs. The wines are judged in two stages: the samples with the highest scores during the first stage, involving all tasters, then undergo the "Super Jury" test, the only body authorized to award medals.
Marie WODECKI
At just 26 years old, Marie WODECKI has established herself as a rising figure in French sommellerie. After earning a scientific baccalaureate, she pursued a Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts and Entrepreneurship at the FERRANDI Paris school. She then honed her skills in Michelin-starred establishments such as JY’S in Colmar and the Maison Bleue by Yoann CONTE in Veyrier-du-Lac.
In 2019, she developed a passion for wine and pursued additional studies in Sommellerie in Savoie, followed by a Professional Certificate in Chamalières, in Puy de Dôme. She trained under experts like Philippe FAURE-BRAC, Best Sommelier of the World in 1992, and Xavier THUIZAT, Best Sommelier of France in 2022.
Her talent has been recognized with several titles, including Best Sommelier Student in France 2021 and Best Young Sommelier of France 2023. In 2024, she reached the semi-finals of the Best Sommelier of France competition.
After serving as Head Sommelier at Auberge de MONTMIN, she is set to take on a new challenge at the SABA restaurant in Annecy.
The 19 medals of the 39th Chablis Wine Competition.
Link here for the results:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-7FY6Gxmb02awboF61Pwg1ak8yuP8TmX/view?usp=sharing
Crédits photos BIVB/S. Boulard
