At the 2024 National Final of the Jeunes Sommeliers Competition, Margaux Balemans shone as the standout competitor for both the judges and the audience.

The Vives Campus in Bruges was the backdrop for the National Final where young talent excelled in the sommelier arts. The prestigious event highlighted the commitment of the National Bailliage to support youth in their craft and careers in hospitality.

Margaux Balemans, 23, is the talented Sommelier at Le Sanglier des Ardennes, a five-star hotel nestled in the heart of Durbuy, the pearl of the Belgian Ardennes and reputed to be the world's smallest town.

Already in 2024, Margaux has been honoured with Belgium’s “Young Sommelier Award of Excellence” which came on top of her Runner-up spot in the Best Sommelier of Belgium competition. Previously, in 2020, she won the Junior Sommelier of Belgium competition.

Margaux expressed her gratitude to her parents and brother for their constant support, as well as to her mentors, notably Gianluca Di Taranto, Wine Director of Le Sanglier des Ardennes.

The organization of the National Jeunes Sommeliers Competition including the recruitment of competitors and the guidance of the winner to the International Final, is the domain of Échanson Dominique Crombé.

Accordingly, in October, Dominique will now be accompanying Margaux Balemans to Lisbon, Portugal, where she will represent Belgium in the 2024 International Final.

We wish her well!

Ilse Duponcheel
Bailli Délégué
Member of the Conseil Magistral

Le Sanglier des Ardennes
Place aux foires, 2
6940 Durbuy

Web: sanglier-durbuy.be
Tel: +32 (0)86 21 32 62