German Marc Almert awarded World’s Best Sommelier 2019

A fresh result in the top three placing, with none of the winners hailing from the traditional wine producing countries, with second place Nina Højgaard Jensen from Denmark and third place Raimonds Tomsons from Latvia.

1st Marc Almert, Germany – 2nd Nina Højgaard Jensen, Denmark – 3rd Raimonds Tomsons, Latvia

Contestants were put through a gruelling series of tastings designed to test their knowledge and craft gained over years of dedicated study.

The Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), which has a partnership with S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, and is the premier association of sommeliers in the world, stages the contest every three years to allow competition among the world and raise the standards in what is an extremely exacting and difficult profession.

The week included more than 10 master classes, to provide all candidates with more opportunities for learning, covering everything from ancient varieties and vintage tastings to technical master classes about viticulture and winemaking.

Over the course of the week, 5,900 bottles of wine were opened and poured into some 14,000 glasses. 600 people will attend the gala dinner tonight, and the final round of the competition was attended by 1,100 people.