Irish representative Julie Dupouy (pictured) was crowned the third best sommelier in the world following four days of intense competition in Mendoza, Argentina, where she competed against 60 of the world's top sommeliers for the title.
Although Arvid Rosengren from Sweden took the top prize of World's Best Sommelier by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale, Dupouy still grabbed a podium finish and is now the highest ranked female sommelier in the world.
After three days of gruelling competition over the weekend, Dupouy joined Rosengren and French candidate David Biraud in the final round on Tuesday, which included almost three hours theory, practical and blind tasting tests in front of a 500-strong audience.
Born in France, Dupouy has previously worked as sommelier for Fallon and Byrne, The Residence Club and two Michelin Star Patrick Guilbaud, as well as being the founder of Down2Wine and a brand ambassador for Krug, Dom Perignon and Moet & Chandon brands.
To reach the world championship in Argentina, she was crowned Best sommelier in Ireland 2015, while her previous accolades include being Ireland's best sommelier in 2009 and 2012, and she was a semi-finalist in 2013's Best Sommelier in Europe.
