Last week, the Alliance Wine team was proud to sponsor and be present at the UK Sommelier of the Year competition.

In this annual event, these incredibly skilled professionals are put to the test in a frankly awe-inspiring series of tasks, but what really hits is how the finalist sommeliers still manage to maintain an atmosphere of support and mentorship throughout. 

Competitors past and present were all in the room cheering for one another, and there was mesmerised silence during the tenser challenges.

This type of competition shows exactly why sommeliers are such a key part of great hospitality - and why the Alliance team is excited to keep supporting the next generation of talent rising through this brilliant industry.

Whenever I tell anyone that I work in the wine industry, people often declare “Oh, so you’re a sommelier?” and I can officially say that there is no way on this earth I could do what they do! Not only are these people incredibly smart and hardworking, but they are also some of the kindest people in the wine industry, and it’s an honour to be able to work with them.

The Results

• Winner: Emma Denney — Director of Wine, Claridge's
• Runner-up: Dolly Chao — Wine Manager, LaBombe by Trivet
• Third Place: Wilem Powell — Head of Beverage, BiBi

Congratulations to Emma, Dolly and Wilem on truly exceptional performances. It's this spirit of camaraderie and skill that makes the UK's sommelier community so special - and we can't wait to see who takes to the stage next year.

Holly Sharpe, Head of London On-trade Sales, Alliance Wine.