With less than a week to go until the ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World, taking place in Lisbon from 11 to 17 October, ASI announces the 66 candidates who have earned the right to compete for the title. They represent 66 countries, among them four taking part for the first time: Dumitru Coșleț (Moldova), Soraiya Ladak (Kenya), Jai Singh (India) and Albin Mounayer (Lebanon).
Three candidates will represent their countries as reigning regional champions. Joris Gutierrez Garcia represents Canada as ASI Best Sommelier of the Americas 2025; Reeze Choi competes for China as ASI Best Sommelier of Asia & Pacific 2025; and Mikk Parre represents Estonia as ASI Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa & the Middle East 2024. They will be joined by a strong field of candidates, including many finalists from ASI’s regional contests.
The road to the title is demanding. All 66 candidates compete in the quarter-finals on the 12th and 13th of October, facing examinations in written theory, blind tasting and service. The best advance to the semi-finals that will happen on the 15th of October, and only three reach the Final on the 16th of October.
ASI President William Wouters says, “I think it is fair to say that the world of sommellerie has never been so diverse, so well-educated or so balanced. Looking over the list of candidates, it is impossible to pick out just a couple of favourites to win the title. Of course, we have our regional champions, who bring with them the experience of winning on a big stage, but as I peruse the list, I see so many candidates who have the potential to win the title. To use a car racing analogy, don’t focus only on those in the front row of the race. There is undoubtedly a candidate from a country with an emerging sommelier community ready to come out of anywhere to challenge the favourites for the title.”
Discover the Candidates
To qualify for the ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World and represent their country, candidates must be selected by an ASI member association and meet the other criteria established by ASI’s Sommelier Contests Committee. A candidate may not represent different countries in two successive international contests.
Meet the 66 candidates. Competitors ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World
Contest Activities and Schedule
The ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World is a multi-day event centred on competition, while also offering educational, cultural and gastronomic opportunities for candidates, ASI officials and delegates from member associations.
The event begins on the 11th of October with candidate registration, a welcome wine fair and the opening dinner at Hipódromo Manuel Possolo in Cascais. Candidates will undergo a series of examinations covering written theory, blind tasting and service skills. The quarter-finals take place on the 12th–13th of October, followed by the semi-finals on the 15th of October. The competition culminates in the final on the 16th of October at Coliseu dos Recreios in Lisbon, where the three highest-ranked competitors will compete for the title.
ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World Pressroom
To support our press partners, ASI has created a digital pressroom with up-to-date information about the contest.
Final tickets currently cost €35 per person, including VAT. LINK TO TICKET PORTAL
The final will also be streamed live on ASI YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
For schedules and further information, visit www.asi.info.
About the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale
Founded in Reims, France, on 3–4 June 1969, the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) is a non-profit international umbrella organisation for national sommelier associations. ASI has 70 full member associations and two applicant countries and is represented on six continents. Its legal headquarters are in Paris. Through education, professional standards and international competitions, ASI advances the sommelier profession worldwide. Its motto is: Learn. Challenge. Compete.
About the Associação dos Escanções de Portugal
The Associação dos Escanções de Portugal (AEP), the Portuguese Sommelier Association, is the official host association for Lisbon 2026. AEP was one of the founding members of ASI in 1969 and was formally recognised as an association in Portugal on 24 March 1972.
