Ambassade de l’Ile appoints new sommelier

Written by Claire Weekes

Friday, 24 October 2008

Ambassade de l'Ile, the London outpost of Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex's two Michelin-starred l'Auberge de l'Ile in Lyon, has appointed Aurelien Gil-Artagnan as sommelier.

Artagnan, 27, joins Ambassade from three Michelin-starred Paul Bocuse in Lyon, where he had been second sommelier for over two years.

Prior to joining Restaurant Bocuse, Artagnan worked at a number of other Michelin-starred restaurants in France, including the three Michelin-starred Taillevent in Paris.

Commenting on his appointment, Jean-Christophe said: "I am delighted that Aurelien agreed to join my London team. I knew of him in Lyon and with his superb credentials, he was the perfect choice to supervise our cellar in London, which, naturally, has quite a strong leaning towards French wines. We have over 500 bins with prices ranging from £20 a bottle to over £8,000."