On 16 October 2026, Pascaline Lepeltier made history for French sommellerie by taking second place in the 2026 World's Best Sommelier contest, held in Lisbon. Facing the best international professionals, the French sommelier confirmed her expertise and talent. Already distinguished several times, she pursues a remarkable career between France and the United States. Here is the story of a wine lover who became world runner-up in sommellerie.
World's Best Sommelier 2026: an international final in Lisbon
The World's Best Sommelier contest is organised by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI). This prestigious competition brings together the best professionals in the field.
In 2026, 66 international candidates took part in the various rounds held in Lisbon, Portugal.
At the end of the final on 16 October, Norway's Nikolai Haram Svorte won the world title, with Pascaline Lepeltier second, ahead of Japan's Wataru Iwata.
This distinction confirms the Frenchwoman's place among the great names of international sommellerie.
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Who is Pascaline Lepeltier?
Before becoming a leading figure in the wine world, Pascaline Lepeltier first studied philosophy.
Passionate about culture and sharing knowledge, she gradually discovered the world of wine and decided to change career.
She then developed an in-depth knowledge of terroirs, grape varieties and winemaking methods.
Her first experiences in fine dining gave her the essential skills of a sommelier.
Her career then took on an international dimension when she moved to New York, where she worked notably at the restaurant Chambers.
This experience deepened her wine expertise and introduced her to new approaches to gastronomy.
2018: a historic double distinction
2018 was a major turning point in Pascaline Lepeltier's career.
She became the first woman to win the title of Best Sommelier of France.
The same year, she also earned the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France in sommellerie.
This double success was an important step for the representation of women in a profession historically dominated by men.
These distinctions reward an exceptional command of wine knowledge, tasting technique and service.
They also strengthened her reputation among wine and hospitality professionals.
A steady rise towards the world podium
After her national successes, Pascaline Lepeltier pursued her ambition to compete with the best sommeliers in the world.
In 2023, she took part in the World's Best Sommelier contest in Paris and finished fourth.
In 2024, she took second place in the Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa and the Middle East contest.
These performances show her consistency and progress in international competitions.
Two years later, her second place in Lisbon crowned several years of preparation and refinement.
This result marks a new step in a career built on passion, high standards and the pursuit of excellence.
What does the sommelier contest involve?
The World's Best Sommelier contest is not only about knowledge of great wines.
Candidates must demonstrate an in-depth command of wine regions, appellations, grape varieties and spirits.
Blind tasting is one of the most demanding rounds. It requires analysing drinks without knowing their identity and recognising their main characteristics.
Participants must also make food and wine pairings, answer technical questions and carry out service exercises.
The Lisbon final included ten stages assessing their knowledge, precision and adaptability.
Managing stress and thinking quickly are also essential qualities for reaching the podium.
Preparation worthy of elite athletes
To compete among the world's best sommeliers, rigorous preparation is essential.
Candidates spend many hours studying wine regions, recognising aromas and mastering service techniques.
Training also includes memory exercises, blind tastings and simulations of professional situations.
Mental preparation plays an essential role, especially learning to stay focused in front of an international jury.
This discipline explains why sommelier contests are often compared to elite sporting competitions.
Major recognition for French sommellerie
With this second place at the 2026 World's Best Sommelier contest, Pascaline Lepeltier confirms her status as a leading figure in the wine sector.
Her career illustrates the importance of curiosity, hard work and sharing knowledge in the world of wine.
Her success also helps promote the place of women in sommellerie and inspire a new generation of professionals.
From philosophy studies to an international career, Pascaline Lepeltier shows that excellence rests on a combination of knowledge, sensitivity and experience.
Her distinction in Lisbon is a new recognition of French expertise on the world stage.
