The Jury
Jury Members
Brian K JULYAN MS
Jury Chair
Brian K JULYAN MS, Jury Chair
Bailliage of Great Britain
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Grand Officier Maître Sommelier, Bailliage of Great Britain
Brian is President of the Court of Master Sommeliers. He gained his Master Sommelier qualification in 1972 after which he proposed the formation of the Court which was ultimately established in 1977. An educational organisation offering four levels of examinations culminating in the highest that of Master Sommelier, the Court’s aim is to encourage improved standards of beverage service by sommeliers, particularly in wine and food pairing.
A professional consultant and educator, Brian has worked in all areas of the hospitality industry as well as being a chief examiner / judge for a multitude of food and beverage programmes and competitions. Author of three books (the latest is Sales and Service for the Wine Professional), his professional career concluded as a Government Inspector for Colleges and Universities until his retirement as Head of the Hospitality Management Degree programmes with the University of Plymouth ... plus 14 years as Cellar Master / Event Consultant for Lord and Lady Clifford of Chudleigh.
Brian now devotes much of his time to encouraging and assisting candidates preparing for the Court's Master Sommelier examinations by providing tutorials and tastings.
Brian is President of the Court of Master Sommeliers. He gained his Master Sommelier qualification in 1972 after which he proposed the formation of the Court which was ultimately established in 1977. An educational organisation offering four levels of examinations culminating in the highest that of Master Sommelier, the Court’s aim is to encourage improved standards of beverage service by sommeliers, particularly in wine and food pairing.
A professional consultant and educator, Brian has worked in all areas of the hospitality industry as well as being a chief examiner / judge for a multitude of food and beverage programmes and competitions. Author of three books (the latest is Sales and Service for the Wine Professional), his professional career concluded as a Government Inspector for Colleges and Universities until his retirement as Head of the Hospitality Management Degree programmes with the University of Plymouth ... plus 14 years as Cellar Master / Event Consultant for Lord and Lady Clifford of Chudleigh.
Brian now devotes much of his time to encouraging and assisting candidates preparing for the Court's Master Sommelier examinations by providing tutorials and tastings.
Matteo Montone
Jury Member
Matteo Montone, Jury Member
Bailliage of Great Britain
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Maître Sommelier, Bailliage of Great Britain
Matteo is Group Wine Director for Ennismore Hospitality Group - owner of Maison Estelle, The Hoxton, Gleneagles and Gleneagles Town House hotels. After studying tourism, he realised his true passion was wine and completed the Italian Association Sommelier Course in 2012. In 2013, he moved to London to further his career, including a spell at The Ritz. He became a Master Sommelier with the Court in 2020, a year after becoming the Chaîne’s Best Young Sommelier at the International Final held in Seoul.
Matteo is Group Wine Director for Ennismore Hospitality Group - owner of Maison Estelle, The Hoxton, Gleneagles and Gleneagles Town House hotels. After studying tourism, he realised his true passion was wine and completed the Italian Association Sommelier Course in 2012. In 2013, he moved to London to further his career, including a spell at The Ritz. He became a Master Sommelier with the Court in 2020, a year after becoming the Chaîne’s Best Young Sommelier at the International Final held in Seoul.
Virginia Philip
Jury Member
Virginia Philip, Jury Member
Bailliage of United States of America
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Échanson Provincial, Bailliage Provincial of Southeast, USA
Virginia is The Breakers Palm Beach Wine Director who also owns a wine shop in Royal Poinciana Plaza also in Palm Beach. In 2002 she became the 11th woman in the world to earn the Master Sommelier accreditation. She has received numerous accolades during her career. Of particular note was that from 2002-2006, she was named “Best Sommelier USA” by the American Sommelier Association. In 2015, she received an Honorary Masters Degree in Oenology from her alma mater, Johnson & Wales.
Virginia is The Breakers Palm Beach Wine Director who also owns a wine shop in Royal Poinciana Plaza also in Palm Beach. In 2002 she became the 11th woman in the world to earn the Master Sommelier accreditation. She has received numerous accolades during her career. Of particular note was that from 2002-2006, she was named “Best Sommelier USA” by the American Sommelier Association. In 2015, she received an Honorary Masters Degree in Oenology from her alma mater, Johnson & Wales.
Maximilian Wilm
Jury Member
Maximilian Wilm, Jury Member
Bailliage of Germany
Jury Member
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Maître Sommelier, Bailliage of Germany
Since participating in the 2017 International Final of the Chaîne’s Jeunes Sommeliers Competition, in 2019 Maximilian won the title of “Germany’s Best Sommelier” in the national competition organised by the Sommelier-Union Deutschland. Furthermore, he came a creditable 6th in the ASI Best Sommelier of Europe & Africa 2021 held in Cyprus. Now, he is aiming to take part in the 2023 World’s Best Sommelier competition in Paris. Maximilian is Sommelier at Kinfelts Kitchen & Wine in HafenCity, Hamburg, not far from the Elbphilharmonie. The restaurant has a reputation not only for being able to eat well there but also for the 400 wines on its list, all of which Maximilian personally serves and tastes every time. “I want to save the guest from being disappointed,” says the man who has the cheapest bottle for 24 euro and the most expensive for 3000.
Since participating in the 2017 International Final of the Chaîne’s Jeunes Sommeliers Competition, in 2019 Maximilian won the title of “Germany’s Best Sommelier” in the national competition organised by the Sommelier-Union Deutschland. Furthermore, he came a creditable 6th in the ASI Best Sommelier of Europe & Africa 2021 held in Cyprus. Now, he is aiming to take part in the 2023 World’s Best Sommelier competition in Paris. Maximilian is Sommelier at Kinfelts Kitchen & Wine in HafenCity, Hamburg, not far from the Elbphilharmonie. The restaurant has a reputation not only for being able to eat well there but also for the 400 wines on its list, all of which Maximilian personally serves and tastes every time. “I want to save the guest from being disappointed,” says the man who has the cheapest bottle for 24 euro and the most expensive for 3000.
