A SOMMELIER is vying to be named the number one wine professional in the UK.

Zigmars Grinbergs, of Hotel du Vin in Brighton, has already won the Moët UK South East Sommelier of the Year 2015 title.

Now he is up against 12 others rival sommeliers from across the country for the national title.

Simon Maguire, general manager at Hotel du Vin, said: “I was delighted to hear the news that Ziggy had won the regional heat. It’s the result of lots of hard work and studying whilst running the wine department here at Brighton. All of the team are very proud of him and his young team are learning from him all the time.”

The awards are run by the Academy of the Food and Wine Service (AFWS) and The Caterer, and are internationally recognised by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI).

The national finalists will win a trip to Maison Moët & Chandon, in Epernay for an in-depth tour and technical tasting with the winemaking team.