Honouring the fervour, palate, and folks behind the pour.
Every year on 3 June the worldwide wine neighborhood celebrates Worldwide Sommelier Day — a second to recognise the important function sommeliers play in bringing wine to life. First established by the Affiliation de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), today shines a highlight on the information, service, and storytelling that sommeliers convey to tables around the globe.
Scroll down to find top-scoring DWWA wines expertly paired by DWWA judges
At Decanter, we’re grateful for the extraordinary sommeliers working throughout the on-trade — from Michelin-starred flooring to neighbourhood gems — whose lengthy hours, deep coaching, and private dedication make wine really feel accessible and thrilling. We’re particularly proud to welcome so lots of them every year as judges at Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA). In 2025, 22 Grasp Sommeliers joined the DWWA panels this yr in 2025, serving to us consider wines from everywhere in the world.
To mark the event, we invited 4 of those excellent professionals to share their favorite DWWA 2024 award-winning wine, together with a private meals pairing. Their selections — considerate, approachable and scrumptious — remind us of the sommelier’s distinctive function as a bridge between the winery and the desk.
Amanda Wassmer Bulgin MS – Switzerland
Amanda Wassmer Bulgin MS, Wine Director, Co-founder of Recollections, Dangerous Ragaz
Swiss-based British sommelier Amanda Wassmer Bulgin has constructed a fame for combining deep wine information with elegant, guest-focused hospitality. At Recollections, the Michelin-starred restaurant she co-founded along with her husband Sven Wassmer, her pairings mirror terroir, emotion, and a playful sense of discovery.
Wine suggestion:
Domaine Histoire d’Enfer, L’Enfer du Calcaire Pinot Noir, Valais, Switzerland, 2019
Gold, 95 factors
Enchanting raspberry, strawberry and freshly picked cherries allure and delight with a scrumptious infusion of luxurious crimson liquorice, clove and star anise rippling alongside. Capacious and warming with a simmering gravelly undertone of mineral tannin. Very good! Alcohol 13.9%
Amanda’s notes:
‘Swiss wine? Sure, actually. This juicy, structured Pinot Noir is pure, exact, and quietly thrilling.’
Meals match:
A cassoulet of Puy lentils and rustic sausage with garlic and herbs. “The wine’s acidity and savoury carry echo the dish’s depth and earthiness.”
Sommelier tip:
‘Match the depth of the wine to the temper of the dish — consider it like a dialog.’
Responsible pleasure:
‘Traditional fish and chips with Chardonnay-based English fizz.’
Observe Amanda on Instagram and see her web site right here.
Raimonds Tomsons MS – Latvia
Raimonds Tomsons MS, Wine Director, ASI Greatest Sommelier of the World 2023
Raimonds Tomsons made world headlines when he was topped Greatest Sommelier of the World 2023 by ASI. Recognized for his precision, humility, and fervour for hospitality, Raimonds is a champion of wine training and Central & Jap European wine areas.
Wine suggestion:
Bodegas Menade, Nosso Verdejo, Rueda, Spain, 2022
Silver, 93 factors
Good depth on the nostril, with strawberry, orange and peach aromas. Recent fruit salad melange of flavours, with some peppery fruit, a contact of guava and good size. Alc 13%
Raimonds’ notes:
‘Summer time is coming — the proper time for a vibrant, natural-leaning Verdejo.’
Meals match:
‘San Marzano tomatoes, burrata, anchovies and basil. The wine’s salinity and fruit meet the creamy, savoury complexity of the dish.’
Sommelier tip:
‘Chill out! A few of the finest pairings are conventional — what grows collectively, goes collectively.’
Responsible pleasure:
‘Anchovies and Manzanilla Sherry. Perfection.’
Observe Raimonds on Instagram and see his web site right here.
Élyse Lambert MS – Canada
Élyse Lambert MS, Meilleur Sommelier du Canada 2015 | Sommelier & Guide
Hailing from Québec, Élyse Lambert is one in all North America’s most revered sommeliers. With titles together with Greatest Sommelier of the Americas and a top-five end on the ASI Greatest Sommelier of the World, she brings each grace and granular information to wine training and hospitality.
Wine suggestion:
Clos Jordanne, Chardonnay Village, Niagara, Canada, 2021
Gold, 95 factors
Alluring white flowers, lemons and stone fruit enhanced by candy vanilla pod oak. Flowing with mineral exuberance, flinty and crisp, with a stunning rigidity and charming end. Alc 13.5%
Élyse’s notes:
‘A Canadian traditional — native, textured and expressive with elegant oak.’
Meals match:
‘Steamed lobster with lemon butter. A celebration of seasonal Canadian flavours.’
Sommelier tip:
‘Begin with what brings you pleasure — the sauce and garnishes matter as a lot because the protein.’
Responsible pleasure:
‘Chablis with snow crab, or Chianti Classico with selfmade polpettes.’
Observe Élyse on Instgram.
Benjamin Hasko MS MW – Singapore
Grasp of Wine and Grasp Sommelier | Wine Consulting Pte Ltd
Australia-born and Singapore-based, Benjamin Hasko is likely one of the few individuals on the earth to carry each Grasp of Wine and Grasp Sommelier titles. His twin credentials underpin his consulting work throughout Asia, the place he helps lodges, collectors and types fine-tune their wine choices.
Wine suggestion:
Flametree, S.R.S. Wallcliffe Chardonnay, Margaret River, Australia, 2022
Gold, 96 factors
Fabulous and action-packed with heaps of wonderful apple, pear and peach on grilled nuts and a salty, smoky observe. Creamy and shiny with succulent acidity and size. Alc 13%
Benjamin’s notes:
‘Shiny acidity, delicate oak, and severe depth — a benchmark from Western Australia.’
Meals match:
‘Grilled prawns with salsa verde. The wine’s toastiness and citrus zip improve the prawns’ sweetness and herbs.’
Sommelier tip:
‘Preserve experimenting — there’s no good match, simply nice mixtures.’
Responsible pleasure:
‘Barolo with Center Jap meals.’
Observe Benjamin on Instagram and see his web site right here.
Search all DWWA 2024 outcomes
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