Lisbon, Portugal (14 October 2026) — The Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) has announced the semi-finalists of the ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World 2026. Following two days of quarter-finals with a written examination and practical tasks, 20 candidates have advanced from the original field of 66 candidates, moving one step closer to the profession’s most prestigious international title. For the first time ever 5 female sommeliers have reached the semi final in a World Championship.
Organised by ASI and hosted by the Associação dos Escanções de Portugal (AEP), the 18th edition marks the contest’s first return to Lisbon since 1978. The quarterfinals, held on 12 and 13 October, challenged candidates across theoretical knowledge, blind tasting and practical service.
For those advancing, the announcement recognises years of study, training and professional commitment. They now face another demanding round on 15 October, from which three candidates will emerge to compete in the public final at Lisbon’s Coliseu dos Recreios on 16 October. Willam Wouters says, “the depth of this field makes reaching the semi-finals an exceptional feat. We congratulate those advancing, while recognising the dedication of all 66 candidates. Each has brought their own experience and perspective to Lisbon, reminding us how much talent exists throughout our global ASI community.”
It is a sentiment shared by Olivier Poussier, Co-Director of ASI Sommeliers Contests Committee who praised the level of competition in this year’s quarterfinal round. “Reaching the semi-finals should be a moment of great personal pride. As members of the ASI Sommeliers Contests Committee, we have been privileged to witness the aptitude of every candidate. Advancing to the semi-finals or the final is an enviable accomplishment, but the true value lies in the work and dedication that begins long before the contest itself. I can attest that the overall calibre of our candidates is extremely high. It has been a pleasure to see world-class sommellerie demonstrated with so much excellence.”
The Semi-Finalists
The following candidates have qualified for the semi-finals, listed alphabetically by the country or territory represented:
- Jonathan Gouveia (Denmark)
- Francesco Cosci (Italy), ASI Diploma Gold
- Tomasz Żak (Poland), ASI Diploma Gold
- Nikolai Haram Svorte (Norway)
- Sebastian Giraldo (Hungary)
- Mikk Parre (Estonia) – ASI Diploma Gold
- Wataru IWATA (Japan), ASI Diploma Gold
- Martynas Pravilonis (Lithuania)
- Lukas Wiegman (Netherlands), ASI Diploma Gold
- Reeze Choi (China) – ASI Diploma Gold
- Dmitrii Frolov (Finland) – ASI Diploma Gold
- Maria Boumpa (United Kingdom), ASI Diploma Gold
- Mark Guillaudeu (United States), ASI Diploma Gold
- Yi Ying Yong (Malaysia), ASI Diploma Gold
- Pascaline Lepeltier (France)
- Andrea Martinisi (New Zealand), ASI Diploma Gold
- Anke Carmen Hartmann (Ireland), ASI Diploma Silver
- Joris Gutierrez Garcia (Canada), ASI Diploma Gold
- Iwona Papathoma (Cyprus), ASI Diploma Silver
- Florian Richter (Germany)
The Road to the Final
The semi-finals take place on Thursday, 15 October. The three highest-ranked candidates will be announced on stage and will advance to the final on 16 October at Coliseu dos Recreios, where they will compete for the title of ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026. The whole final will also be streamed live on ASI YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
