Following our initial coverage of Maria Boumpa’s historic semi-final run and 8th-place finish for the UK, we take a broader look back at the 18th ASI Best Sommelier of the World championship held in Lisbon. Returning to the Portuguese capital for the first time since 1978, the contest brought together 66 national champions, 80 dedicated volunteers, and hundreds of wine professionals from across the globe for a rigorous celebration of modern hospitality.
The Rigours of the Semi-Final Stage
To grasp the magnitude of Maria’s achievement in finishing 8th in the world, one only has to examine the formidable written examination faced by the 20 semi-finalists.
The ASI Sommeliers Contests Committee tested candidates across granular wine history, cutting-edge viticultural science, current global wine news, and creative sommellerie:
Cutting-Edge Viticulture & Global Current Affairs: Identifying South Africa's newly recognized grape variety and parentage for 2026; detailing the devastating climate challenges faced by Canada’s Okanagan Valley this past summer; and explaining the practical application of Crioprotect—an innovation utilizing extremophilic Antarctic bacteria to reduce vineyard frost damage by up to 80%.
Deep Appellation Law & Heritage: Naming the Jura’s oldest French AOC on its 90th anniversary; outlining the three nested geographical tiers implemented under DOCa Rioja Regulation No. 1/2022; and identifying the titan of Italian wine who passed away in August 2026 at age 97.
Creative Pairing & Cultural Hospitality: Curating a wine pairing for an exhibition opening at London's National Portrait Gallery featuring Benjamin Robert Haydon’s painting Napoleon on St Helena, alongside justifying a classic wine match for prawn tempura.
Mastering these rapid-fire, encyclopedic questions under strict examination conditions showcases the intellectual versatility demanded at this level.
High Drama at the Coliseu dos Recreios
Following the semi-finals, the competition culminated in a thrilling public final on 16 October before 600 live spectators and thousands of livestream viewers worldwide.
The final three candidates faced complex food and wine pairings, live restaurant simulations, timed cellar error-corrections, and unscripted stage challenges. Each candidate demonstrated world-class composure:
Champion: Nikolai Haram Svorte (Norway)
"It is completely surreal. When you stand on that stage under the lights, you try to shut out the pressure, focus entirely on the table, and treat the judges like guests in your restaurant. To bring this trophy home to Norway after years of relentless preparation is a dream come true."
Runner-Up: Pascaline Lepeltier (France)
"The beauty of this competition is pushing the boundaries of our craft together as a community. The tests were demanding, fast-paced, and deeply intellectual, but above all, they reminded us that sommellerie is an act of human connection, sharing, and hospitality."
Second Runner-Up: Wataru Iwata (Japan)
"Standing on the stage in Lisbon alongside Nikolai and Pascaline was an immense honour. The level of detail and composure required at this stage tests every single ounce of your training. I am grateful to my mentors, the global ASI family, and everyone who supported our journey."
📺 Catch the Champion Interview:
Hear Nikolai Haram Svorte discuss the preparation, tests, and experience in the official ASI visual podcast:
Celebrating Heritage: The ASI Gérard Basset Lifetime Achievement Award
Midway through the week, the global sommelier family gathered at the Pavilhão de Exposições da Tapada da Ajuda for a gala dinner co-hosted by headline sponsor CIM Douro alongside partners Laurent-Perrier, Stoelzle Lausitz, and Perlage.
The quadrennial ASI Gérard Basset Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 was presented to Michèle Chantôme—affectionately known as the "godmother of sommeliers"—honouring her lifetime of advocacy, establishing the ASI Diploma, and building connections across emerging wine regions.
The award carries special significance for UKSA,having been founded in memory of Gérard Basset OBE in close collaboration with his family, UKSA Vice-President Nina Basset FIH and General Secretary Romané Basset.
Gratitude to Our Hosts & Looking Forward
Staging an international championship of this calibre is a massive undertaking. The UK Sommelier Academy extends its sincere thanks to the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), host association Associação dos Escanções de Portugal (AEP), and the 80 volunteers who made Lisbon 2026 such a warm and smoothly executed event.
The road to the next global title is already mapped out: May 2027 sees the inaugural continental competition for Africa & Middle East, followed by the ASI Best Sommelier of Europe in Poland (6–11 September 2027), and the Americas and Asia-Pacific contests in 2028.
(Photography and photo credits: ASI)