{"id":861,"date":"2023-02-09T16:10:43","date_gmt":"2023-02-09T16:10:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sommelieredit.com\/?page_id=861"},"modified":"2026-03-19T13:11:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T13:11:05","slug":"top-100-sommeliers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sommelieredit.com\/pl\/top-100-sommeliers\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 100 Sommeliers"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row content_placement=”middle” column_spacing=”60″ remove_bottom_col_margin=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1677764697724{margin-bottom: 50px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″]

We are looking for the best of the best.<\/span><\/h1>[vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1773922789328{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]\n

If you are a sommelier, or know one who represents the very best in hospitality, this is your opportunity to shine.<\/h3>\n

The Taylor’s Port Top 100 Sommeliers<\/em> is the definitive list of talented wine service professionals in the UK on-trade. You need to be a part of it you are working in or connected to this vibrant and ever-changing community.<\/p>\n

Applications Open for <\/span>Taylor’s Port Top 100 Sommeliers 2026<\/em> close 24th May<\/span>.<\/strong><\/span><\/b>[\/vc_column_text]APPLY NOW<\/span><\/a> [\/vc_column][vc_column css_animation=”none” width=”1\/2″ el_class=”se-spotlight se-spotlight–right se-spotlight–bg-navy” css=”.vc_custom_1680711118734{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]

\"\"<\/div><\/figure>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_video link=”https:\/\/vimeo.com\/1175118501?fl=pl&fe=sh” align=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1712578486975{background-color: #263f59 !important;}”][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text color=”#ffffff” text_align=”center” text_transform=”uppercase”]\n

2026 Special Category Awards<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_single_image image=”9703″ img_size=”500×500″ alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]\n

Top 5 Female Sommeliers<\/h3>\n

sponsored by<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4032″ alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/sommelieredit.com\/sponsors\/”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_single_image image=”9745″ alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]\n

Top 5 Young Sommeliers<\/h3>\n

sponsored by<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4022″ alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/sommelieredit.com\/sponsors\/”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_single_image image=”9727″ img_size=”500×500″ alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]\n

Top 5 Ones to Watch<\/h3>\n

sponsored by<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4204″ alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/sommelieredit.com\/sponsors\/”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_single_image image=”9709″ img_size=”500×500″ alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]\n

Innovation Award<\/h3>\n

sponsored by<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4112″ alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/sommelieredit.com\/sponsors\/saicho\/”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_single_image image=”9685″ img_size=”500×500″ alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]\n

Excellence in Education<\/h3>\n

sponsored by<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”7020″ alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/sommelieredit.com\/sponsors\/schloss-johannisberg\/”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_single_image image=”9721″ img_size=”500×500″ alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]\n

Legend Award<\/h3>\n

sponsored by<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”10794″ alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/sommelieredit.com\/sponsors\/”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” column_spacing=”20″ remove_bottom_col_margin=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1677772658033{margin-bottom: 40px !important;padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #678ca5 !important;}”][vc_column]

How the Top 100 are selected?<\/span><\/h2>[vc_column_text text_align=”center” color=”#ffffff” css=”.vc_custom_1736158437138{margin-bottom: 40px !important;}” font_size=”lg”]The team at Taylor’s Port Top 100 Sommeliers<\/em> has over 40 years wine and restaurant industry experience and have<\/span> learnt a thing or two about what makes a top sommelier. We have<\/span>\u00a0collated our knowledge, industry contacts and experience to discover\u00a0the best sommeliers working in UK\u00a0restaurants today.<\/p>\n

Our database of working sommeliers*, is constantly being updated and we will continue to hone the list to find the best 100.<\/p>\n

And, we have developed a comprehensive and meritocratic criteria for selecting the Taylor’s Port Top 100 Sommeliers,<\/strong> based on a unique points system.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ el_class=”se-spotlight-vertical” offset=”vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-3″]

\"\"<\/div><\/figure>

Experience & Seniority<\/span><\/h2>[vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1680705944801{margin-bottom: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” color=”#ffffff” text_align=”center”]Candidates will be interviewed about their level of experience and their current seniority in the team.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ el_class=”se-spotlight-vertical” offset=”vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-3″]
\"\"<\/div><\/figure>

Responsibility & Management<\/span><\/h2>[vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1680706156810{margin-bottom: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” color=”#ffffff” text_align=”center”]All applicants will be asked about their current responsibility and management experience.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ el_class=”se-spotlight-vertical” offset=”vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-3″]
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Qualifications & Achievements<\/span><\/h2>[vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1681594903571{margin-bottom: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” color=”#ffffff” text_align=”center”]Achieving professional qualifications in service, tasting skills and wine knowledge will be reviewed.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ el_class=”se-spotlight-vertical” offset=”vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-3″]
\"Sommelier<\/div><\/figure>

Awards & Accolades<\/span><\/h2>[vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1681594687086{margin-bottom: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” color=”#ffffff” text_align=”center”]Taking part in sommelier competitions and winning wine list awards will also be accounted for and considered.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”24px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row content_placement=”middle” column_spacing=”60″ remove_bottom_col_margin=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1677764697724{margin-bottom: 50px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1680771394557{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]\n

An\u00a0additional\u00a0review by all the judges\u00a0will further assess:<\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text]
<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Expert wine knowledge<\/strong> – achieved through qualifications and\/or experience<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Level of responsibility<\/strong> – cellar mastery, wine buying, list curation and staff management<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Working experience<\/strong> – length of time working in restaurants as a sommelier<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Professionalism<\/strong> – proven excellence in customer service\/experience<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Industry endorsements<\/strong> – support quotes from peers<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Competition success<\/strong> – achievements over others<\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column css_animation=”none” width=”1\/2″ el_class=”se-spotlight se-spotlight–right se-spotlight–bg-navy” css=”.vc_custom_1680711118734{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]
\"\"<\/div><\/figure>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” column_spacing=”20″ equal_height=”yes” remove_bottom_col_margin=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1684924004418{padding-top: 40px !important;background-color: #678ca5 !important;}” el_id=”judges”][vc_column]

Judges<\/span><\/h2>[vc_column_text text_align=”center” color=”#ffffff” css=”.vc_custom_1769415715387{margin-bottom: 40px !important;}” font_size=”lg”]Since the inaugural Top 100 in 2023 an illustrious panel of experts have been assembled to judge the line up of outstanding sommeliers from around the UK. And each year continues to attract the highest level of scrutinising.<\/p>\n

Each judge brings a unique perspective, different expertise and views to scrutinise the entrants in order to establish the highest standards.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” column_spacing=”20″ equal_height=”yes” remove_bottom_col_margin=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1680771342861{margin-bottom: 40px !important;padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #678ca5 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″ el_class=”se-spotlight-vertical” offset=”vc_col-lg-1\/5 vc_col-md-1\/5″]

\"Svetoslav<\/div><\/figure>

Svetoslav Manolev MS<\/span><\/h2>[vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1713970578144{margin-bottom: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” color=”#ffffff” text_align=”center”]\n

Wine consultant
\neducator and wine judge<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ el_class=”se-spotlight-vertical” offset=”vc_col-lg-1\/5 vc_col-md-1\/5″]

\"\"<\/div><\/figure>

Gareth Ferreira MS<\/span><\/h2>[vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1713970317681{margin-bottom: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” color=”#ffffff” text_align=”center”]\n

Beverage Director
\nCORE by Clare Smyth<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ el_class=”se-spotlight-vertical” offset=”vc_col-lg-1\/5 vc_col-md-1\/5″]

\"\"<\/div><\/figure>

Melody Wong<\/span><\/h2>[vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1718008662491{margin-bottom: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” color=”#ffffff” text_align=”center”]\n

Director of Wine
\nThe Peninsula Hotel<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ el_class=”se-spotlight-vertical” offset=”vc_col-lg-1\/5 vc_col-md-1\/5″]

\"Thierry<\/div><\/figure>

Thierry Tomasin MCA<\/span><\/h2>[vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1713970608311{margin-bottom: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” color=”#ffffff” text_align=”center”]\n

Restaurant Director
\nThe Grill at The Savoy, London<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ el_class=”se-spotlight-vertical” offset=”vc_col-lg-1\/5 vc_col-md-1\/5″]

\"\"<\/div><\/figure>

Eric Zwiebel MS<\/span><\/h2>[vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1713970411078{margin-bottom: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” color=”#ffffff” text_align=”center”]\n

Head Sommelier
\nThe Samling Hotel<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n

The sign of a great restaurant is not just the food, the experience, the ambience, it also rests with the calibre of the person who serves your wine.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The job of a sommelier is not just about knowledge, it\u2019s about the wine expert\u2019s ability to gauge how much the customer wants to pay, getting the tone right, perhaps moving them away from staff choice to something more exciting, challenging but just right at the same time.<\/p>\n

A sommelier is the person who uses their expertise to enable you to choose a wine to go with the food you are soon going to eat.<\/p>\n

We have surveyed industry experts from around the UK and the general consensus is that what makes a good sommelier is the ability to distil all their knowledge into accessible, bite-sized chunks of information to sell, entice and engage all at the same time.<\/p>\n

It takes skill, knowledge, and tenacity to pitch it just right. In just 30 seconds professionals need to be able to measure the level of spend and style of wine without intruding or overcompensating. A juggling act, a talent, a professionalism that can make or break the whole dining experience.<\/p>\n

The Taylor’s Port Top 100 Sommeliers<\/em><\/strong> is a countdown of the very best sommeliers from around the UK\u2019s best restaurants, the people who bring wine alive and excel at every level of service and knowledge. Over the past months we have called for nominations, gathering together a list of the best to be assessed and evaluated by our panel of judges to find the Taylor’s Port Top 100 Sommeliers<\/strong><\/em>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_video link=”https:\/\/vimeo.com\/1008054765″ align=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]