17 sommeliers gathered on a sunny September morning to vie for the title of Best Sommelier of Denmark 2020. After an initial round with a written test, pairing tasks and two blind tastings, the jury narrowed it down to the top three candidates to compete for the title.
The finals were held in the spacious (Covid-19 safe) “Axelborg salen by Nimb,” near Copenhagen’s lovely Tivoli Garden. The candidates first took to the stage individually for “restaurant situations,” including recommendation, decanting and customer service tasks. The finalists then gathered for a classic wine knowledge, blind tasting and pouring tasks.
The jury featured two international guests, William Wouters (ASI Vice-president Europe) & Peer F. Holm (President of the German Sommelier association). With their deliberations complete, DSF President Christian Aarø and Vice-President + Head of the Jury Tim Vollerslev presented the results: Rasmus Lunkov Marquart of www.restaurantlyst.com was the victor, followed by runner-up Jonathan Gouveia – www.titrinned.dk and Ketil Krongaard -Sauer, www.sauerwine.dk.
Last year’s winner Nina Højgaard Jensen (+ no 2. In the world) – will represent Denmark at the ASI Best Sommelier of Europe & Africa contest on Cyprus in 2021.