Prior to taking over his new position, Meletiou was sommelier at The Palace of the Lost City at Sun City, South Africa.

A major 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 is multi-lingual and can offer guests wine tasting experiences in seven 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 stocked with superior wines, champagnes, ports and cognacs. The current Palace of the Lost City Wine list consists of over 135 wines. What makes this wine list different 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 menus at the various Sun International properties, as Head Sommelier he plays an integral part of the resorts' gourmet experience.

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.

"But, 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."

For further information regarding Sun International or any of the properties, visit their website: www.suninternational.com