The Gilbert & Gaillard Tasting Committee
Tastings are conducted blind to ensure impartial and fair evaluation. This rigorous process takes into account the typicity, terroir, and excellence of each product. Our committee is dedicated to providing producers with the recognition they deserve while offering consumers products that meet their expectations.
Notre comité de dégustation
François Gilbert
With a PhD and higher teaching diploma in geography, François Gilbert rapidly specialised in studying wine terroirs. He was a professor for 15 years before succumbing to his passion for wine full time. He has run the Gilbert & Gaillard group since 1989.
Philippe Gaillard
Born into a family of winegrowers in Touraine, Philippe Gaillard studied viticulture and later became the sales director of a major French wine distributor. He has run the Gilbert & Gaillard group since 1989.
Sylvain Patard
After studying literature, Sylvain got his start in wine in 1986 by organizing a wine tasting and buying club at the magazine where he worked at the time. He is now editor-in-chief of the Gilbert & Gaillard magazine and chairs the tasting panel.
François Bezuidenhout
Cape Wine Master, the highest distinction in the South African wine world, François joined the tasting panel in 2019. He is the first South African wine taster to join the panel.
Nicholas Hutchison
Born and raised in Surrey, England, Nicholas has always been fascinated by aromas and flavours. After travelling the world in his 20s he decided to settle in Mendoza, Argentina with his family. Nicholas has been consulting in many wineries since 2011 and brought his vast experience to the Gilbert & Gaillard panel in 2023.
Olivier Delorme
Olivier is a consultant sommelier and recipient of the Suze-la-Rousse diploma and has been a permanent member of the Gilbert & Gaillard tasting panel since 1995.
Gonzalo Fernandez
Gonzalo is an oenologist. Seasoned in tasting techniques and well versed in South American wine profiles, having worked on both sides of the Andes for over 15 years, he contributes his remarkable analytical skills to the Gilbert & Gaillard tasting panel.
Thanks to our international presence in strategic regions across Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America, our experts have a deep understanding of consumer expectations in each market.