Portugal will be hosting the “Best Sommelier of the World” event in Lisbon in October, “with the aim of promoting itself as a country of quality wines and not quantity”.
‘Sommeliers’ (or wine stewards) from 72 geographies are expected.
President of the Portuguese Sommeliers Association, Tiago Paula, tells Lusa that the focus of the event will be, above all, in promoting Portugal as a country of quality wines and not quantity.
“We have to think about less volume and showing more quality. We have a lot of quality, but we have to convey it abroad so that they see us not as a country of cheap wines, but of quality wines”, he stressed.
The association wants to convey the cultural message of wine, that is, how and where it is produced, because wine “is also territory”, explains Lusa – adding that the association applied, around four years ago, in Japan, to host this event, which runs from October 11 and 17 out of the Sheraton Hotel.
In this edition, at which more than 3.500 people are expected, ‘sommeliers’ from 72 markets will be present, from North America to Asia, via South America. “The idea was to create the possibility of entering as many markets as possible”, says Tiago Paula.
Sommeliers are responsible for wine service in hospitality, wine shops and distribution, not only making the selection, but pairing wines with dishes.
Many of the ‘sommeliers’ coming to Portugal are also decision-makers, influencers and businesspeople, as well as candidates. This is the second time that Portugal will host the ‘Best Sommelier of the World’ in almost 50 years.
For what is the competition’s 18th edition, Portugal has organised several classes on topics such as the diversity of Portuguese wines, and wants to focus on reducing the carbon footprint during the event.
Thus, all cork stoppers and cardboard will be recycled, as will even the wine itself which, through a partnership with Red Wine, will have its components reused in products such as fertilizers.
The last edition took place in Paris, in 2023, and brought together 68 countries and more than 4.000 in-person participants, with 250.000 views of the final broadcast also recorded.
The wine sector placed, last year, 726 million litres of wine on the market for domestic consumption and export – a reduction of 23 million litres compared with 2024, the Vine and Wine Institute (IVV) indicated, in March.
This result reflected the balance between growth of more than six million litres in Portuguese wine (1,1%) and the reduction of 29 million litres in imported wines (-18,4%).
Of the total placed on the market, 82% was Portuguese wine and 18% imported.
In turn, sales of wine with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) from mainland Portugal represented 52,3% of the total.
The Best Sommelier of the World contest is promoted by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale, of which the Portuguese Sommeliers Association is a founding member.
Source material: LUSA