The ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2023 is Raimonds Tomsons representing Latvia.
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What a journey it has been! Years of preparation, a week of tests and several minutes on stage… and in front of 4 thousand people in attendance and 3 thousand watching the final live online!
The past week flew by with the speed of a tornado, there were many happy moments, exciting challenges, a lot of learning and great wine shared!
We would like to take a moment to celebrate the new champion – Raimonds Tomsons, as well as the other finalists: Nina Jensen and Reeze Choi, but also all sommeliers who joined on this adventure!
BIO
Raimonds Tomsons
Raimonds is recognized as The Best Sommelier of Europe 2017 and 3rd Best Sommelier of The World 2019 by the world’s leading wine organization – A. S. I. (International Sommelier Association) & now Best Sommelier in the world 2023.
He found his passion and love for wine and hospitality while working at the renowned restaurant Vincent’s for 20 years. After winning several times the Latvian and Baltic sommelier competitions his ambitions grew. He studied in the famous Austrian Wine academy in Rust where he passed the respectable WSET Diploma in Wines & Spirits.
He also holds the World record of sabring 71 bottle of Champagne in just 60 seconds. He is the wine judge at the Decanter Wine World Awards and a jury member of Star Wine Lists – the guide to great wine lists of the World.
Raimonds is the Wine Director of Barents Wine Collectors (Barents.lv) and a co-founder of a subscription based online educational platform for wine lovers Wine-teach.com (IG @wine_teach) (IG @raimonds.tomsons)
