Sommelier Anna-Katharina Lemke (pictured center) from the restaurant “Windmühle Fissenknick” in Horn-Bad Meinberg has won the Sommelier Cup 2026 of the German Wine Institute (DWI). Second place went to Sascha Adam from the wine trading company “palatasty”, and third was Maike Witfang, sommelier at the Atrium Hotel in Mainz.
23 participants from gastronomy, wine trade, and the wine industry demonstrated their skills on January 25 and 26 at the Atrium Hotel in Mainz. Comprehensive practical knowledge and theoretical knowledge of German wines were required.
During the competition, the candidates completed five tasting rounds with a total of 45 wines and winemaker sparkling wines from all German growing regions. Topics included climate change, sparkling wine styles, and the aging potential of German wines. In addition to sensory evaluation, they had to correctly classify grape varieties, origin, style of development, and vintages – some dating back to 1969. The theoretical part included questions about grape varieties, growing regions, wine production, wine market, and wine law.
The top five from the preliminary round competed in the final before a panel of experts. There, they had to analyze two blind wines, provide suitable food recommendations, and conduct a role-play consultation focusing on noble sweet wines. A quiz on German growing regions concluded the event.
The jury included Lukas Sermann, Christina Hilker, Elena Hart, and the 2024 Sommelier Cup winner, Katharina Iglesias. The winner received a winner’s belt for the first time, presented by the German Wine Princess Emma Meinhardt, as well as a prize of 1,500 euros. Second and third places were awarded 1,000 and 750 euros, respectively.
(ru – Image: DWI)
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