Lisbon to host 2026 Best Sommelier of the World competition

Lisbon will host the ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026 competition from October 11 to 17. Organized by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) and the Associação dos Escanções de Portugal, the event is expected to bring together delegations from 72 countries and over 3,500 professionals from the wine, hospitality, and restaurant sectors.

Portugal will be represented by Marc Pinto, the Wine Director and Head Sommelier at Fifty Seconds. Pinto, a three-time winner of the Best Escanção of Portugal award, brings over fifteen years of high-end dining experience, including work at the three-Michelin-starred Lasarte in Barcelona. The competition requires candidates to demonstrate mastery in wine tasting, blind identification, service, pairing, and knowledge of various beverages including coffee, sake, and spirits.

The event marks the first time the competition has returned to Portugal since 1978. It coincides with a period of significant growth for the Portuguese wine economy; in 2024, national wine exports reached a record 965.8 million euros.