UK Sommelier of the Year

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.

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.

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, sponsored by Moet Hennessey. 2025 winner: Kristina Gladilina (Lita).
• Best performer in the theory paper, sponsored by Bibendum. 2025 winner: Maria Boumpa (Da Terra).
• Best performer in the food & wine matching task, sponsored by Edmond de Rothschild Heritage. 2025 winner: Emma Denney (Claridge's).
• Best performer in the wine tasting exam, sponsored by Chateau D'Esclans. 2025 winner: Joanna Nerantzi (5 Hertford Street).
• Best performer in the spirits tasting exam, sponsored by Amathus Drinks. 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.

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.