Behind the scenes at ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026

Norway’s Nikolai Haram Svorte has been crowned ASI Best Sommelier of the World after a gruelling five day marathon of exams and service challenges that culminated in a tense grand final this weekend before an audience of 600 people at Lisbon’s Coliseu dos Recreios. David Kermode was there for The Buyer to take in the whole experience and see for himself just how far the competing sommeliers have to push themselves under extraordinary pressure in front of a hushed live audience. He has also the chance to sit down and talk to the 29-year-old winner as well as the UK’s entrant, Maria Boumpa, who came in an impressive eighth in the semi-finals, ahead of some big names, in only her first international competition outing.