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An event celebrating excellence
The final night at the Mai House Saigon Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on May 21, 2025, welcomed nearly 70 experts and wine enthusiasts to support the three most outstanding contestants. The three sommeliers underwent a challenging live judging process with the jury, comprising six sections focusing on service skills, knowledge of Bordeaux wines from France, sensory analysis, and food-wine pairing. Following the evaluation after each round, Yun-shun Lin from Taiwan was announced as the winner. The runners-up were Ryoga Nakamura from Japan (1st Runner-up) and Vanessa Tan from Singapore (2nd Runner-up).
The top 3 finalists with the judges of the "Best Young Sommelier" competition organized by Castel Châteaux & Grands Crus - Asian Edition 2025. From left to right, center: First Runner-up - Ryoga Nakamura from Japan, Winner - Yun-shun Lin from Taiwan, Second Runner-up - Vanessa Tan from Singapore
Vanessa Tan's performance is from Singapore.
Performance by Ryoga Nakamura from Japan
Performance by Yun-shun Lin from Taiwan
The top 3 finalists share their thoughts with the audience.
The newly crowned Young Sommelier of the Year, hailing from Taiwan, was awarded a special prize package, including a five-day experiential trip to Bordeaux, exploring the prestigious Castel Châteaux & Grands Crus estates, along with a Château Montlabert gift box and a bottle of Château Beychevelle. The Taiwan Sommelier Association, as the winner's sponsor, was also awarded a case of Castel wine and an exclusive online learning session.
The award was presented to the finalists by Castel Châteaux & Grands Crus.
The journey to the finals began with the qualifying round, which identified the 10 most promising candidates from ten Asian regions: mainland China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. These talented sommeliers then proceeded to Vietnam for the semi-finals held on May 20th. This stage included intensive workshops and a written test to select the top three contestants to compete in the final round.
The top 10 contestants, along with representatives from Castel Châteaux & Grands Crus and the Head of the Jury, Fabrice Sommier, MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France - the best craftsman in France in the field of Sommelier) and President of the French Sommelier Association.
Nurturing and Connecting Future Sommelier Leaders
The competition plays a vital role in nurturing the next generation of sommeliers and building meaningful connections. It provides a valuable platform for young professionals to connect and learn from the wider international community and influential leaders in the wine industry. The participation of Andreas Larsson, the world's best sommelier in 2007, as the competition's ambassador underscores this goal of development and connection, offering applicants a valuable opportunity to learn from and be inspired by an outstanding figure in the wine industry.
Fabrice Sommier, MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France - the best sommelier in France) and President of the French Sommelier Association, and Head of the Jury, stated: "The Asia's Best Young Sommelier Competition is where the next generation of wine professionals shines. It's a unique opportunity for young sommeliers to showcase their expertise to industry leaders, hone their technical skills and sensory perception through a rigorous evaluation process, and gain access to crucial career advancements. The event also fosters a strong network among like-minded professionals, providing opportunities for networking and learning from peers and senior figures in the industry. The competition is a special chance for emerging talents to shape their future, enhance their skills, and build a solid network within the wine world."
The ten finalists participated in an intensive training session with Head Judge Fabrice Sommier (MOF).
Looking back on the journey, Yun-shun Lin, winner of the 2025 Asian Young Sommelier, shared: "Beyond the competition itself, what I truly value from this experience are the relationships I've built with talented individuals from across Asia. For me, wine is not simply about taste, but also about the story behind each label, the culture, the people, and the relationships we cultivate. We share a common aspiration, and this experience has given us the opportunity to exchange stories, knowledge, and shared passions, which I find incredibly meaningful."
According to Mathieu Margnac, Brand Ambassador for Castel Châteaux & Grands Crus, "By organizing the Best Young Sommelier Competition - Asian Edition 2025, our intention is to provide a rewarding and memorable platform for talented young sommeliers from across Asia to connect, learn, and develop their skills. This event demonstrates our commitment to nurturing the next generation of wine professionals by providing valuable knowledge, in-depth understanding of Bordeaux wines, and crucial networking opportunities."
