"I am extremely happy, I couldn't imagine a better city than Paris or a better country than France for this title," he said on the stage of the final, which took place in public in the La Défense Arena indoor stadium at the gates of Paris.
To the presenter who asked him, in a joking tone, if there were vineyards in his country whose name he confused with Lithuania, the neighboring Baltic country, Raimonds Tomsons replied: "Let's enjoy Latvian beers instead" .
Less artistic and relaxed, but more precise, he beat Nina Jensen who impressed spectators with her poise, according to online comments about the contest, which was streamed live.
The French candidate Pascaline Lepeltier, holder of the titles of best sommelier and best worker in France and for whom this was the first international competition, came fourth and did not qualify for the final.
© 2023 AFP