The Fine Water Summit made a splash this weekend in Buckhead, welcoming fine water sommeliers and enthusiasts for an exciting global contest. Held at the Kimpton Sylvan Hotel, the event featured the Fine Water Society’s Taste and Design Awards, marking the beginning of a weekend filled with water exploration.
The allure of fine water lies not just in its unique flavors, but also in the stories behind each bottle. Elena Berg, a professor of environmental science at the American University of Paris and one of the judges for the awards, emphasized the importance of narrative in the fine water experience. “Because the flavors are much less intense compared to wine, the story becomes more important and more core to it,” she explained, noting that people are often drawn to the rich context surrounding each water source.
The event was organized by Michael Mascha, founder of the Fine Water Society, which he established in 2008 after developing a passion for naturally sourced water. His interest in fine water was sparked by personal health issues that led him to move away from wine consumption. According to Mascha, fine water is characterized by being natural and minimally processed, capturing the minerality and integrity of its source.
Although he did not expect the summit to attract a massive audience, the two-hour tasting event brought together dozens of global enthusiasts, including water sommeliers, representatives from various brands, and influencers passionate about hydration. Attendees observed as six judges conducted a blind tasting of around 100 waters, which spanned a range of mineral content from very low to extremely high.
During the tasting, the atmosphere was almost reverent, punctuated only by the sound of sommeliers pouring 2-ounce samples into judges’ glasses. Each judge engaged in meticulous evaluation: swirling, sniffing, and savoring each sip before scoring from a scale of 1 to 100. Most waters submitted for consideration garnered scores in the upper 90s, a testament to the quality present in this year’s competition.
As the judges finalized their scores, anticipation built for the awards ceremony that would soon follow. However, some water producers couldn’t contain their excitement and took to the stage for celebratory photos, proudly showcasing their impressive tallies.
One notable sponsor, Oliver Merino, founder and CEO of Source to Bottle, announced that two of the brands he imports, Socosani and Tehuacan, emerged victorious in their respective categories. The summit also served as a networking opportunity, with many attendees keen to share their fine water experiences with others who share their passion.
Among the participants was Jacob Medina, a Washington resident whose newfound fascination with fine water began when he first tasted spring water near his hometown. Medina described the experience as “kind of a spiritual experience,” highlighting how remarkable the water felt when he consumed it. He has particularly fond memories of Vichy Catalan, a sparkling mineral water from Spain, claiming he indulges in a bottle about once a week.
Medina’s goal for attending the summit was clear: to immerse himself in the world of fine water and connect with like-minded individuals. He expressed his belief in the fundamental essence of water, saying, “Water’s our baseline. It’s what we drink, and you can get a sense of the terroir. If you’re sensitive to it, you can really taste the difference and feel the difference.”
Another attendee, Jonathan Primeau from Montreal, shared his journey of transformation from wine cellar designer to water sommelier during the pandemic. With a passion ignited by a chance encounter with fine water, Primeau is integrating water displays into his wine cellar business, promoting balance between various beverages in everyday life. He emphasized the importance of every drink having a character, a story, and a connection to the land from which it originates.
Primeau also touched on the environmental aspect of bottled water, reflecting on efforts to respect and protect water sources for future generations. He stated, “How do we protect this, how do we respect the natural filtration process, not to put too much pressure on it, and how do we protect it for the next generations?”
This year’s summit theme revolved around sustainability and the responsible consumption of water. Throughout the weekend, a series of lectures and sessions focused on ecological sustainability were planned. Berg will deliver a lecture addressing the intersection of fine water and environmental advocacy, drawing from her own research and experiences.
Berg’s interest in fine water began unexpectedly when she was organizing a demonstration for her students. Her curiosity led her to explore a multitude of bottled water options beyond the major beverage corporations, evolving into a research area that combines the appreciation of mineral water and environmental sustainability.
Within this community of fine water enthusiasts, there exists a collective love and respect for water sources, as their businesses depend on them. “These people are all in love with water,” Berg remarked. “They all have to protect their sources in order to have these businesses; it’s a natural mix I wouldn’t have anticipated.”
She pointed out the environmental repercussions of bottled water, irrespective of packaging material, be it aluminum, plastic, or glass. Treating bottled water as a special occasion item, akin to fine wine, enables a thoughtful appreciation of flavors that can complement food. Berg encouraged companies to prioritize local markets over solely aiming for international distribution, believing that while rare waters may not appeal to all consumers, they can offer delightful experiences worth exploring.
Berg concluded by emphasizing the reality of pricing, especially compared to fine wines. “Most people aren’t going to spend 10 euros on rare iceberg water, but at the same time, there can be a delight in that,” she said. The Fine Water Summit in Buckhead not only celebrated the unique attributes of fine water but also underscored a growing movement zipping towards sustainability and awareness in sourcing the purest of H2O.
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