Master of Port Benelux 2024

MASTER OF PORT BENELUX -  2024 PROGRAMME

REGISTRATION: the registration form is available online, link: REGISTREREN

Please consult the regulations here. Deadline: 02 / 09 / 2024

Aim:

To qualify active sommeliers, who must be members of the partner Dutch/Belgian Sommeliers Guilds (the Flemish Sommeliers Association, Guild of Belgian Sommeliers and Gilde van de Sommeliers Netherlands) with the title "MASTER OF PORT". The aim is to reach out to Benelux sommeliers through a competition that rewards the professionals who are best prepared in their knowledge of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Porto.

Organization:

The first edition of the MASTER OF PORT BENELUX competition is organized by the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto, IP (IVDP, IP), in partnership with the Flemish Sommeliers Association, Guild of Belgian Sommeliers and Gilde van de Sommeliers Netherlands.

Format:

• ACCESS: Live Masterclass (to be held at Maison de la Poste, Brussels) which allows access to the competition. Candidates may choose to attend the Masterclass either in person or online, via real-time streaming, at the premises of the Gilde van de Sommeliers Netherlands.

Date: 16/09/2024

Place: Maison de la Poste, Brussels

Time: 10h00 às 13h00 (at Maison de la Porte and via live stream to the Gilde van de Sommeliers Netherlands)

• QUALIFYING HEAT Online multiple-choice exam via a digital platform for all participants who wish to take part in the competition. The ten best candidates will be selected and proceed to the quarter final stage.

Date: 23/09/2024, 10h00 às 11h00 (60 minutes)

Announcement of Results: 24/09/2024

•QUARTER FINAL: Study trip to Porto, Gaia and the Douro for the 10 candidates selected in the qualifying heat with the aim of choosing 5 semi-finalists. In-person training sessions, practical tests and oral presentation.

Date: 14/10/2024 to 16/10/2024. Please see below for more details.

Target Audience:

• Sommeliers, in current employment, members of the above-mentioned Guilds/Associations

Travel and Accommodation:

• The quarter finalists are hosted by the IVDP. The cost of accommodation in Porto, air travel

(return from Belgium or The Netherlands to Porto) and the meals (lunch) included in the study

trip programme will be provided by the IVDP, IP.

▪ Accommodation: 4-Star Hotel in Porto

▪ Air travel: Round trip airfare, in economy class, for the ten candidates.

QUARTER-FINALS | DETAILED PROGRAMME

14/10/2024

09h00 IVDP, IP, Porto: Training in classroom setting

11h45 IVDP, IP: Coffee break

12h00 IVDP, IP: Training in classroom setting

13h45 Lunch in Porto

15h00 IVDP, IP: Visit to IVDP Technical Department

16h00 Visit to Port lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia: Themed training on AGEING

18h30 Transfer back to IVDP, IP, Porto

Rest of the day at leisure

15/10/2024

07h45 Departure for the Douro

10h00 Visit to Estate (Quinta) in Baixo Corgo or Cima Corgo. Themed training on VINES and

VITICULTURE

13h00 Lunch (hosted by the Estate)

15h30 Visit to Estate (Quinta) in Baixo Corgo or Cima Corgo. Themed training on VINIFICATION

18h30 Return to hotel, Porto

20h30 Arrival

Rest of the day at leisure

16/10/2024

09h30 IVDP, IP, Porto: Exams - written, practical and oral

11h00 IVDP, IP: Port Cocktails training session

13h00 Port pairing lunch in Porto followed by announcement of the 5 semi-finalists

End of Study Trip.