BEST SOMMELIER UK 2024
This year at the Haberdashers’ Hall, the UK Sommelier Association held the eighth edition of The Best UK Sommelier - Villa Sandi Award and Walkaround Tasting.
The competition was hosted by the UK Sommelier Association Vice President, Federica Zanghirella, and on and off stage by the UKSA President, Andrea Rinaldi.
The event culminated with the announcement of the Best UK Sommelier 2024: Nick Kemball, Senior Experiences Executive at Berry Bros. & Rudd. The first runner-up was Stefan Kobald, Head Sommelier at Core by Clare Smyth, and the second runner-up was Juan Manuel Marcos Perez, Premium Account Manager at Bibendum Wine.
The first morning session saw the sommeliers taking part in a written exam, blind wine tasting, and wine pairing, supervised by members of the Italian Sommelier Association (AIS). From this, the contestants were whittled down to three semi-finalists.
In the afternoon, the three semi-finalists were asked to perform the best service possible on stage by role-playing with customers. The finalists’ performances included blind wine tasting and spirit identification, service, bottle opening, decanting, wine and food pairing, and a communication test. The performance was judged by Masters of Wine, journalists, sommeliers, wine experts, and AIS board members.
The winner was awarded a cup, sash, magnum of Prosecco offered by the main sponsor Villa Sandi, a trip to Venice and a visit to the Villa Sandi estate, and a £1000 cheque offered by the UKSA. The first and second runners-up received a cup, a magnum of Prosecco, a £250 award each.
The Regional Institute Sommellerie Sud De France, partner of UKSA, awarded the three champions an all-inclusive luxury trip to visit their school in Thuir, attend masterclasses, workshops, and visit wineries and vineyards in the heart of the Roussillon area.
The Best UK Sommelier 2024, Villa Sandi Award, pays homage to the style, elegance, and skills of this passion-fueled profession and has been designed to celebrate wine professionals within the hospitality industry and their crucial role in the business.