Public Discussion with Raimonds Tomsons on Wines, Sustainability and Climate Change
Friday, April 23, 2021, 16:00 – 17:00
Online
SSE Riga invites you to a public discussion on Wines, Sustainability and Climate Change with Raimonds Tomsons (Best Sommelier of Europe 2017, 3rd Best Sommelier in the World 2019), moderated by Xavier Landes (SSE Riga). This public lecture is part of the Ethics in the Society 2021 series offered by SSE Riga and the lecture is supported by the French Institute as part of Earth Month.
What is sustainable wine making? What are the differences between organic, biodynamic and natural wines? Is there a robust trend toward low intervention, more sustainable, wine making in the world and in Latvia, or is it just greenwashing? How does climate change threaten vineyards and wine making worldwide? When will Latvia grow Pinot Noir and Riesling?
These are some of the questions that SSE Riga and the French Institute in Latvia invite you to engage with the internationally recognized sommelier, Raimonds Tomsons.
During this discussion, Tomsons will share his experience and views on how sustainable practices have entered the vineyards and wine making, as well as the differences they make. He will also reveal some misconceptions that surround low intervention wines, the climate threats to the industry, as well as wine makers’ answers to those threats.
The discussion will be followed by Q&A.
As a complement to the discussion, the French Institute offers, free of charge, the possibility to watch a documentary on natural wine making Wine Calling (2018): https://www.institut-francais.lv/en/v_events/selection-films-environnement/#/ It can be watched at any time before April 30.
No prior knowledge about wines is necessary. If you are interested, don’t hesitate to join us for this stimulating discussion.
Raimonds Tomsons
Raimonds is recognized as The Best Sommelier of Europe 2017 and 3rd Best Sommelier of the World 2019 by the world’s leading wine organization – A. S. I. (Association de la Sommellerie Internationale). He found his passion and love for wine and hospitality while working at the renowned restaurant Vincents for 20 years.
After winning several times the Latvian and Baltic sommelier competitions his ambitions grew. He studied in the famous Austrian Wine academy in Rust where he passed the prestige WSET Diploma in Wines & Spirits. Raimonds is the co-founder of a subscription-based online educational platform for wine lovers Wine-teach.com (IG @wine_teach), a board member of the Latvian Sommelier Association, the wine director at Barents Wine Collectors (BWC), a wine judge at the prestigious Decanter Wine World Awards and a jury member of Star Wine Lists – the guide to great wine lists of the World.
Please leave your personal information and we will send you a reminder one day before the event takes place. The event will be live streamed on the SSE Riga Facebook page.