The ASI Best Sommelier of the World contest in Paris came to
a thrilling conclusion in front of a crowd of 4,000 wine professionals and enthusiasts at the Paris
La Défense Arena.
The crowd was quiet in anticipation of the revelation of the final three. One by one the final
rankings of the semi-finalist were announced. As they heard their names called, candidates
became aware they would not be in the final, and as a result their long journey to become the
Best Sommelier of the World (for most the road includes winning their own country’s best
sommelier contest) fell only one step short of completion. The tension grew, and a hush fell over
the crowd, as the number of semi-finalists remaining approached the final three.
With the elimination of Pascaline Lepeltier (France), only the final three contestants Nina Jensen
(Denmark), Raimonds Tomsons (Latvia), and Reeze Choi (China) remained on stage. The final
contest, which consisted of various tasks designed to challenge the sommeliers’ knowledge,
tasting skills, service acumen and ability to remain calm under pressure brought out the best in
the candidates.
After announcing Reeze Choi as the second runner-up, Jensen and Tomsons knew one of them
would be announced ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2023. After a moment of extreme
anticipation Raimonds Tomsons was announced as the winner, by ASI President William
Wouters, to a large round of applause.
Of the competition, ASI President William Wouters says, “it took more than 30 years for this
contest to return to Paris. It was worth the wait! From the first day candidates arrived, they were
treated to the hospitality and amazing gastronomy of France. As for the contest itself, it
honoured the commitment of our candidates by being both challenging and fair. It is with great
pride that we announce Raimonds Tomsons as the winner. I have no doubts they will be a
fantastic representative of ASI, and an inspiration to our global sommelier community.”
