Yesterday, Boumpa was announced as the UK representative at the ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026 competition, which will take place in Lisbon next October. UK Sommelier of the Year winIn July, she was crowned UK Sommelier of the Year 2025, after beating Dion Wai and Joanna Nerantzi in the final round, having competed for the first time in the competition a year before. At the time she was nervous on stage, but looking forward, she’s “super excited” for the ASI Best Sommelier of the World event. That’s how you build a base and that helps you understand the wine world and where you want to go with that. “We are thrilled to support Maria on this journey,” said UKSA President, Nicolas Clerc MS. “She is an outstanding ambassador for the UK.”Related newsTaylor’s Port sommelier competition names winnerMaria Boumpa to represent UK at ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026Reeze Choi named Best Sommelier of Asia & Pacific