It's pretty difficult to determine who the greatest sommelier in the world is, as it is a matter of personal opinion and the field of sommeliers is constantly changing. There are many highly respected and accomplished sommeliers around the world who have achieved great success in their careers.
Some notable sommeliers include:
- Gerard Basset, who was the first person to hold the titles of Master Sommelier, Master of Wine, and World's Best Sommelier.
- Andreas Larsson, who was the World's Best Sommelier in 2007.
- Vincent Gasnier became the youngest master sommelier in the world aged 22.
- Aldo Sohm, who was the World's Best Sommelier in 2008.
- Paolo Basso, who was the World's Best Sommelier in 2013.
- wine personalities like Jancis Robinson and Oz Clarke
The world of sommeliers is constantly changing, and new sommeliers are emerging all the time and reaching high level of recognition. Additionally, the greatest sommelier is a highly subjective title and it depends on the criteria used to define it.
The qualifications of the sommeliers I listed who have achieved the title of Master Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers can vary. However, in general, to become a Master Sommelier, one must pass a series of rigorous exams that test wine knowledge, blind tasting abilities, and service skills.
In addition to passing the Master Sommelier exam, many of the sommeliers I listed have also achieved other wine industry certifications and have gained extensive experience working in the wine industry, such as working in high-end restaurants, wineries or as wine educators.
Some sommeliers also have other qualifications such as a degree in hospitality or oenology, and have worked in different countries and cultures, which gives them a broader knowledge and perspective in wine, and some have also authored books and articles on wine.
