Pictured above 80 volunteers from over 40 countries have come together to stage manage every aspect of the contest, including exams, masterclasses, service and the contest.

Hard-working volunteers from New Zealand

Joao Marreiros formally from Portugal, and married and living in Auckland was part of the Masterclass Team - dealing with over 8000 of glasses each day.

Suraj GC formally from Nepal, and married, father of one and living in Auckland, was part of the Contest Team.

Masterclasses

Masterclass: Austrian Wine, Austria: A Paradise of Diversity by Stefan Neumann MS

Kopke, Port Reimagined – The Role of Port Wine in Contemporary Sommelierie by Carlos Alves and Priscila Haddad.

ASI Guests and Sommeliers visit the Palace of Marquês de Pombal for a Masterclass on Villa Oeiras, Carcavelos Wine: Restoring a Heritage by Alexandre Lisboa and Pedro Sá.

The Portuguese Sommelier Association President, Tiago Paula, welcomes guests at Palace of Marquês de Pombal.

Masterclass on Villa Oeiras, Fortified Carcavelos Wine

Gerard Basset Foundation Dinner to celebrate the Lifetime achievement Award.

Nina Basset introduces the Lifetime Achievement Award acknowledging the 40 years of service of Michele Chantome.

Michele Chantome, Gerard Basset Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award 2026.

Presidents and Representatives from Asia Pacific: Celia Hay, Alvin from Singapore, Ronald from Malaysia, Saiko from Japan and VP for Asia-Pacific, Amrita from India, Howard from Taiwan, Profession from Korea, Nelson from Hong Kong, China.

Read about Andrea's Experience here.

See photos of the Competition.

And much more than this!