David Biraud, Head Sommelier at the Mandarin Oriental Paris

May 2018 – This month, head sommelier David Biraud, gave a masterclass to Wine and Management Programme students.

David Biraud is head sommelier of the Sur Mesure** par Thierry Marx restaurant, at the Mandarin Oriental Paris, One of the Best Craftsmen in France (Meilleur Ouvrier de France - MOF) in Sommellerie and a finalist in the 2017 "Best Sommelier in Europe" competition.
David Biraud will also represent France at the Best Sommelier in the World competition which will take place in Belgium in 2019.

During a 2 hour session, students were able to increase their expertise with a renowned sommelier. David Biraud carried out a blind tasting with the students and then gave them advice on taking part in a competition, before carrying out a competition exercise on blind-tasting and food and wine pairing, before their very eyes.
David Biraud also welcomes and trains sommellerie interns on a regular basis at the Mandarin Oriental Paris hotel’s Sur Mesure restaurant**, where he works.

We went to catch up with Taiga, a Wine and Management Programme student, who is currently carrying out an internship with Mr. Biraud, he tells us about his experience.