Norwegian sommelier Nikolai Haram Svorte has been crowned the ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026, following a tense final at Lisbon’s Coliseum (Coliseu dos Recreios).
The prestigious competition, organised by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) and hosted by the Associação dos Escanções de Portugal (AEP), brought 66 competitors to Portugal for a week of tests designed to push their wine knowledge, service skills and composure to the limit.
Svorte came out on top ahead of Pascaline Lepeltier of France, who finished second, and Japan’s Wataru Iwata, who took third place.
During Friday’s final, the three sommeliers were asked to blind taste wines and spirits, serve guests in simulated bar and restaurant settings, propose food and wine pairings and correct a wine list deliberately packed with mistakes.
They were then faced with a final secret challenge, revealed only during the competition itself in front of more than 600 spectators at the Coliseu.
A further 3,000 viewers around the world followed the final live on ASI’s YouTube channel.
“Returning to Lisbon after almost half a century reminds us how much our profession has evolved,” said Olivier Poussier, co-director of ASI’s Sommelier Contests Committee and himself Best Sommelier of the World in 2000.
“We congratulate Nikolai Haram Svorte on this brilliant achievement and thank all 66 candidates for their passion, commitment and dedication.”
Spotlight on Portuguese wine
For AEP, Portugal’s sommelier association, hosting the event was also an opportunity to shine an international spotlight on the country’s wine industry.
AEP president Tiago Paula said the competition represented an important opportunity for Portuguese producers and businesses to strengthen international partnerships and showcase not only the quality of Portuguese wines and other drinks, but also the country’s wine tourism potential.
The AEP, founded in 1972 and a founding member of ASI, represents professionals working in wine and beverage service across Portugal.
Lisbon’s competition began with quarter-finals on October 12 and 13, followed by the semi-finals on October 15 and Friday’s grand final.
Attention now turns to the next international contests. Africa and the Middle East will hold their first continental ASI competition in May 2027, followed by the Best Sommelier of Europe contest in Poland in September.
Competitions for the Americas and Asia-Pacific will follow in 2028.
Michael Bruxo
Journalist for the Portugal Resident.