Finalists named for 18th Best Sommelier of the World

The three finalists for the 18th Best Sommelier of the World competition were announced this afternoon at the Coliseu dos Recreios theater in Lisbon. The event was presided over by José Manuel Fernandes, the Portuguese Minister of Agriculture, and included Pascaline Lepeltier from France, Wataru Iwata from Japan, and Nikolai Haram Svorte from Norway.

Semifinal structure and challenges

The semifinal featured 20 candidates who competed in a series of rigorous exams. These included two written exams, one lasting 15 minutes and the other 10 minutes, and a series of workshops designed to test their knowledge and skills in wine tasting and service.

Workshops tested wine identification and pairing

One of the workshops required participants to identify three wines and determine their production methods. Another involved a full organoleptic tasting of a red wine, followed by a task to identify four beverages in black glasses and create logical pairings among them. These tasks required a high level of concentration and mastery of wine-related knowledge.

Practical and theoretical exams assessed service and communication

The second exam included both practical and theoretical components. Candidates were required to serve an Australian white wine to a panel of judges and discuss topics related to wine, alcohol, and society. This allowed the judges to evaluate their communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to handle service-related tasks.

Final to be held in Lisbon’s iconic theater

The final competition will take place at the Coliseu dos Recreios theater in Lisbon, an iconic venue known for hosting major events. If Pascaline Lepeltier wins, she will become the first woman to be named Best Sommelier of the World.