A team of talented and diverse wine aficionados have been selected to represent New Zealand at an international wine tasting competition to be held in France later this year. This will be the first time that New Zealand has been represented at the 5th annual championship organised by the specialist French wine magazine La Revue du Vin de France. After qualifying at a knockout tasting held in Christchurch earlier this month, New Zealand’s team will be made up of Jennifer Skoda of Black Estate Wines, Dion Wai of The Northern Club, David Napier of Saggio di Vino and Ashley Stewart (reserve) a student at University of Canterbury. They will be led by team captain Cashias Gumbo, Sommelier in Christchurch. It was Mr Gumbo’s initiative to register a New Zealand team, he felt it was time New Zealand was represented in the championship. The points based system is marked upon correctly identifying the grape variety, country of origin, appellation, region, producer and vintage of 12 individual wines. Successful competing countries include China (current cup holders), USA, France, Belgium, Andorra and South Africa. The team is united in their belief in the quality of New Zealand wine and their mantra is that New Zealand should be centre stage when it comes to fine wine of the world. “It’s the wine Olympics, we will proudly raise the New Zealand flag high and ensure New Zealand’s presence is felt” said Mr Gumbo. With two sommeliers, a winery rep, a restaurateur and an engineering student on the distinct team, it appears they have all bases covered when it comes to their collective strength in wine knowledge. “Everyone brings a specific approach to wine based on their branch of the industry, we’re at an advantage with our backgrounds” said Mr Wai. The team is also brimming with positivity about New Zealand’s hospitality industry. “It’s really exciting, this is the perfect group to champion wine, food and service. We’re beginning to pave the way to a definitive wine consumer culture in New Zealand that is of international standard” said Mr Gumbo. These ambassadors are at a loss however when it comes to funding, Mr Gumbo notes that this is something the team cannot do alone. With the competition being next month and New Zealand’s first ever entry, a lot of the funding is needed. They still need sponsorship support and he is urgently calling out to the wine and hospitality industry to get behind them.