The 2nd edition of the Gourmet Waters International Contest organized by AVPA (Agency for The Valorisation of Agricultural Products) was concluded on Tuesday, March 20th, during an official Ceremony introduced by Mayor Ariel Well in his Paris 4th district City Hall.
Producers from around the world (more than 19 countries!) met in Paris on Tuesday, March 20th, as the city became the ‘Capital of Gourmet Waters”. They received the much awaited and very honorable trophies for the best waters of the world in their category in front of an audience of diplomats, taste professionals and distributors…
“A highlight in the life of these – sometimes modest- companies and a sign of encouragement and recognition for the medalists.” said Mr. Michel Bontemps, in charge of the contest.
Distributed in 6 different categories (3 still waters and 3 sparkling waters), these 75 exceptional waters (a year-on-year 50% increase!) had to prove their worth to juries of experts, taste enthusiasts, chefs (including the Academic Culinaire de France) and amateurs alike. The tasting sessions were held in the Ferrandi School sensory analysis laboratory and in the AVPA premises.
In just two years, the 2nd Gourmet Waters International Contest AVPA-Paris 2018 became the new world reference for organoleptic competitions dedicated to waters. AVPA’s recognized skill in the organization of taste-based contests (like edible oils and coffees) was able to meet consumer’s expectations for “Gourmet Waters” and therefore to offer market players (producers, importers and distributors) new perspectives of positioning, what appeared clearly in Mr. Patrick Herault’s lecture – a renowned nose who put himself to the service of water.
“Beyond its tremendous success, this 2nd edition of the Gourmet Waters International Contest AVPA-Paris states the gastronomic potential of waters whenever they become gourmet – then it is the entire bottled waters industry which is honored” underlined in conclusion Mr. Philippe Juglar, AVPA President.
Results:
This year, the contest was even harder between the competitors for the supreme reward, and suspense could be felt in the ceremony hall.
Still Waters:
Among the Light Still Waters, the Swedish “Are” (pronounced ‘O-RE’) won Gold once again, as in 2017, before the Italian “Mont-Blanc” (Monte-Blanco) in Silver and the American water “English Mountain” in Bronze, exaquo with “Zilla” from Corsica (France).
Among the Medium Still Waters, the Spanish “Aquadeus” reached Gold Or before its Portuguese neighbor “Healsi” in Silver and “Chantemerle” from Ardeche (France) in Bronze.
Among the Still Waters of Character, the Greek water “Athos”, steady blessed with Gold last year, renews its feat and beats on the wire “Velleminfroy” from Franche-Comte (France) in Silver and “Ogeu” from Pyrenees (France) in Bronze.
Sparkling Waters:
Among the Light Sparkling Waters, the New-Zealand water “Antipodes” harvests Gold before the Spanish “Sierra Natura” in Silver and “Ventadour” from Ardeche (France) in Bronze which, for the anecdote, celebrates its 150th birthday this year.
Among the Medium Sparkling Waters, the Gold medal goes to “Saint-Geron” from Haute-Loire (France), before Swiss water “Sembrancher” in Silver, equally rewarded in 2017, exaquo with “Lisbeth” from Alsace (France) and just before Polish water “Perlage” in Bronze.
Among the Sparkling Waters of Character, “Chateldon” won Gold in front of its neighbors “Vichy Celestins” in Silver and “Rozana” in Bronze, all three from Aurvergne (France), the last one exaquo with “Verniere” from Haut-Languedoc (France).
During the Ceremony, the Jury awarded two more trophies:
“The Special Prize of the JuryL to the Taiwanese water “Aquagen Deep Ocean Sparkling Water” for its originality and unique taste.
The Design prize to “La Sasse” the spring still water from Megeve, which bottle was designed by the local sculptor Pierre Margara.
You will find contest pictures and detailed results on www.avpa.fr from Wednesday, March 21st at 12:00.
2nd Gourmet Waters International Contest AVPA-Paris 2018
Press contact: avpa@avpa.fr
In charge of the contest: Michel Bontemps
Tel: 06 12 29 17 18 / 01 44 54 80 30
m.bontemps@avpa.fr
