Sun International has appointed Georgio Meletiou as Group Sommelier. Before taking over this coveted position, Meletiou was sommelier at The Palace of the Lost City at Sun City.

A core achievement whilst at Sun City was being head of the tasting panel of Sun International’s first group wide Banqueting / Restaurant / Connoisseurs wine list and winning the top wine accolade from Diners Club Wine Awards in 2007. A first for Sun International.

Meletiou studied his craft at the Cape Wine Academy completing courses in cultivars and South African wines, in-depth wine tasting, wine regions, viticulture, oenology, pairing of food and wine and learning about different global wine regions. He also spent time on an Estate in Tuscany under an Italian master. Meletiou also offers guests wine tasting experiences in 7 languages including; English, Africans, Italian, Greek, Portuguese, Spanish and Brazilian.

Meletiou intends to have certified and trained Wine Stewards at all Sun International 5 Star properties and to ensure that all the cellars are well air conditioned and stock superior wines, champagnes, ports and cognacs. The current Palace of the Lost City Wine list consists of over 135 wines and what makes this wine list different to others, is that all 135 wines are available by the glass, including Nederburg Auction Wines.

“From hosting five-course wine tastings and dégustation dinners to selecting the wine menu’s at the various Sun International properties, as Head Sommelier he plays an integral part of our gourmet experience and we are confident that Georgio’s passion and experience will prove invaluable,” says Kurt Peter, Divisional Director Resorts.

“With over 200 different wines available at the various restaurants, keeping stock is not easy. There are around a 20 different wine suppliers to Sun International and that means 20 wine reps and at least 20 trade tastings in one year. Swirling, tasting and documenting are all par for the course,” says Meletiou.

“My intention over the next year is to achieve the Top award and recognition for all Sun International 5 Star Hotel wine lists in the Diners Club Wine Awards.

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Sun International’s operations include resorts, luxury hotel products, and casinos in 14 jurisdictions in South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland.Everyday, over 50 000 customers from over 50 countries visit a Sun International property.Over a period of three decades, the group has invested more than R10-billion in new tourism infrastructure. It employs over 8400 people in southern Africa, has indirectly created 50000 new employment opportunities in the broader tourism industry, and it has been estimated that its business has a direct impact on the livelihood of more than 500000 people in the sub-continent.For further information regarding Sun International or any of the properties, visit their website: www.suninternational.com