Almaty will host the national sommelier competition Les Grands Chais de France The Best Sommelier of Kazakhstan 2026. About 60 sommeliers are expected to take part. The contestants will first undergo theoretical tests, blind tastings, and demonstrate professional service skills. The top ten will advance to the semifinals, after which three finalists will compete for the title of Kazakhstan's best sommelier, reports infohub.kz.
The competition has been held in Kazakhstan since 2017. According to the organizers, the requirements for participants have become significantly higher over this time. "Today we focus much more on ASI (International Sommelier Association) standards. Participants have a better understanding of the requirements for service, blind tasting, and the theoretical part," says Ratmir Akhmetov, head of the examination and education department at the Kazakhstan Sommelier Association.
According to Natalya Budaeva, curator of the Kazakhstan Sommelier Association, the work of a sommelier directly affects the restaurant business. "The higher the qualification of a specialist, the greater the guest's trust in their recommendations. A well-composed wine list should not only look professional but also bring profit to the restaurant," says Budaeva.
The final of the competition will take place on September 9 at The Ritz-Carlton Almaty. A wine salon will be held in parallel, where producers and importers will offer drinks and treats. Last year, more than 130 items from 13 countries were presented there.
Earlier, Kursiv LifeStyle reported that the winner of 2025 and the country's best sommelier was Almaty resident Valentina Kirichkova.