UK Sommelier of the Year

The UK Sommelier of the Year competition has long been a prestigious event in the hospitality industry, celebrating the talents and expertise of sommeliers across the country.

At the IWSC, we are proud of our continued commitment to fostering excellence and education within the wine, spirits, and hospitality industries. It is with great pleasure that we take ownership of the UK Sommelier of the Year competition.

We will be working in partnership with the UK Sommelier Academy to host this annual event, celebrating and recognising the UK’s finest sommeliers.

The 2025 competition has now taken place and you can read about our winner here: Maria Boumpa crowned IWSC UK Sommelier of the Year | IWSC. You can also relive the event courtsey of our live stream here: IWSC 2025 UK Sommelier of the Year: The Final Live Stream | IWSC and view a copy of our special magazine here.

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How does the UK Sommelier of the Year competition work?

Stage 1: Online Entrance Exam

The entrance exam consists of three parts: a theory exam, an opinion-based exam, and a tasting exam. These are designed to assess wine knowledge, wine tasting skills, and one's ability to demonstrate hospitality etiquette.

Applications are reviewed by the Technical Committee, who select the candidates invited to the next stage.

Candidates selected will be invited to join the UK Sommelier Academy. Membership in the academy provides several benefits and support to help them compete effectively, including:

      • Coaching Sessions: personalised training sessions with past winners to enhance their skills.
      • Mentorship Program: access to a network of experienced sommeliers for guidance and support.

Stage 2: Two-Day Event in London

Successful candidates will be invited to attend the two-day event in London (2026 dates TBC).

Day 1: Quarter final

      • Candidates will be judged on a written questionnaire, a written blind tasting test, and a practical test.

Day 2: Semi-Final and Final

Morning: Semi-Final

      • The top performers from the quarter-finals will compete in the semi-finals.
      • The semi-final tasks will include: A practical test, a wine tasting and a surprise task.

Afternoon: Final

      • The top performers from the semi-finals will compete in the final in the afternoon.
      • In front of a live audience, candidates were tested both practically and verbally on tasks such as identifying errors on a wine list, food and wine matching, service skills, and a blind tasting.

Result announcement

All candidates are invited and encouraged to attend the announcement evening where we will celebrate the achievements of all the sommeliers at our networking event. During this event, we will award the following categories, amongst others:

      • Diploma winners of the UK Sommelier Academy
      • Gérard Basset Award. 2025 winner: Brian Julyan MS.
      • Best performer in the practical exam. 2025 winner: Kristina Gladilina (Lita).
      • Best performer in the theory paper. 2025 winner: Maria Boumpa (Da Terra).
      • Best performer in the food & wine matching task. 2025 winner: Emma Denney (Claridge's).
      • Best performer in the wine tasting exam. 2025 winner: Joanna Nerantzi (5 Hertford Street).
      • Best performer in the spirits tasting exam. 2025 winner: Dion Wai (Raffles at The OWO).
      • Top 10 performers in the competition. 2025 Top 10:
  • 10th) Martin Kleveta (Restaurant Gordon Ramsay)
  • 9th) Wilem Powell (BiBi Restaurant)
  • 8th) Kristina Gladilina (Lita)
  • 7th) Daniel Stojcic (Maison Estelle)
  • 6th) Zareh Mesrobyan (Maison Estelle)
  • 5th) Emma Denney (Claridge's) 
  • 4th) Melania Battiston (Cornus)
  • 3rd) Joanna Nerantzi (5 Hertford Street) 
  • 2nd) ion Wai (Raffles at The OWO) 
  • 1st) Maria Boumpa (Da Terra)
      • The winner of the UK Sommelier of the Year competition. 2025 winner: Maria Boumpa (Da Terra).

You can read more about our current winner, and the event, here: Maria Boumpa crowned IWSC UK Sommelier of the Year | IWSC.

Hall of Fame - Previous Winners

2025 Maria Boumpa 
2024Philipp Reinstaller
2023Agnieszka Swiecka
2022Vincenzo Arnese
2019Romain Bourger
2018Alex Fréguin
2017Mathias Camilleri MS
2016Terry Kandylis
2015Tanguy Martin
2014Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS
2013Clement Robert MS
2012Jan Konetzki
2011Yohann Jousselin MS
2010Christopher Delalonde MS
2009Laura Rhys MS
2008Gearoid Devaney MS
2007Nicolas Clerc MS
2006Claire Thevenot MS
2005Matthew Wilkin MS
2004Eric Zwiebel MS
2003Loic Maillet
2002Xavier Rousset MS
2001James Payne
2000Matthieu Longuère MS
1999Alan Holmes
1998Ronan Sayburn MS
1997Vincent Gasnier MS
1996Franck Massard
1995Henri Chapon MS
1994Mark Walter
1993Nicholas Mobbs
1992Gerard Basset OBE MW MS
1991Michael Simms
1990John Walker
1989Gerard Basset OBE MW MS
1988Stephen Wilcock MS
1987Simon Hopkinson
1986Michael Varney
1985David Hair
1984Michael Simms
1983Bryan Dawes MS
1982Charles Piggin MS
1981Claudia Harris MS
1980June Schmidt – Lowe

Key information

Terms & Conditions

Please download the Terms & Conditions here to ensure your application meets the criteria.

Timeline - 2026

      • Closing date for applications: TBC
      • Competition dates: TBC
      • Winner announcement: TBC

Submission

In order to enter, please download and complete this application form (link available in due course), then submit to community@iwsc.net.