Details

News

Julien Alsoufi wins Sommelier-Cup 2022

21.11.2022

Julien Alsoufi, sommelier at BASF Gastronomie GmbH in Ludwigshafen, has won the "Sommelier Cup 2022" of the German Wine Institute (DWI), which was held on November 20th and 21st in the Atrium Hotel in Mainz. Second place went to Katharina Iglesias, sommelier at wineBANK Hamburg, followed by Connor Münster, sommelier and sales manager at Weingut Wechsler in Westhofen.


With around 30 wine experts and young professionals from gastronomy and trade, interest in the DWI competition was again very high.

Challenging practical and theory tests

A highlight for the participants were the tasting rounds with a total of 45 red, white, sweet and mature wines from all German wine-growing regions. With them, it was important to correctly assess the origin, the vintage or the style of expansion. In the theoretical part, the examinees also had to demonstrate their knowledge of the grape varieties and growing regions, winemaking, the wine market and wine law.

Special tasks in the final

In the final, five participants had the task of recognizing two hidden wines each. In addition, a perfect sekt service for the guest and wine recommendations for 3-course menus were required.

Top-class jury

A renowned expert jury, consisting of representatives of the Sommelier Union Germany, the German Wine and Sommelier School, the Hotel Management School Heidelberg, a German Wine Professional and specialist journalists, evaluated the tasks and chose the winner.

Great prices

The top three winners received attractive cash prizes totaling 3,250 euros. As the winner of the competition, Julien Alsoufi can also take part in the "Sommelier Summer Class 2023", the annual meeting of international sommeliers organized by the DWI.

The winners of the DWI Sommelier Cup 2022 at a glance:

1st winner: Julien Alsoufi, Sommelier in der BASF Gastronomie GmbH in Ludwigshafen

2nd winner: Katharina Iglesias, Sommelière in der wineBANK Hamburg

3rd winner: Connor Münster, Sommelier und Verkaufsleiter im Weingut Wechsler in Westhofen

Das sind die Sieger des Sommelier Cups 2022: Gewinner ist Julien Alsoufi, Sommelier in der BASF Gastronomie GmbH in Ludwigshafen (Mitte). Den zweiten Rang erzielte Katharina Iglesias, Sommelière in der wineBANK Hamburg (links), gefolgt von Connor Münster, Sommelier und Verkaufsleiter im Weingut Wechsler in Westhofen (rechts).