Beata Vlnková, ASI: “DM2025 was Flawless”
Tim Vollerslev and Beata Vlnková at DM 2025. Photo: Dansk Sommelier Forening
Editors note: POSTCARD from Beata Vlnková (Secretary General, Association de la Sommellerie Internationale) & honorary jury member at DM 2025.
When I got the invitation from the Danish Sommelier Association to come to Copenhagen and join the jury, I didn’t hesitate for even a second. The invite came through Tim Vollerslev – whom I’ve known for over 20 years. For many years he was the Liaison Officer for the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale. I know him as a visionary, fully devoted to the sommelier profession, yet always humble. So if he was the messenger, I knew straight away: this was going to be good. And, I have to admit, I’m a travel addict – so turning down Copenhagen? Not happening.
“Everything was ready to perfection – rooms, tastings, sponsors, disciplines.”
Beata Vlnková at DM 2025. Photo: Dansk Sommelier Forening
The Danish Sommelier Championship was, in one word, flawless. Everything was ready to perfection – rooms, tastings, sponsors, disciplines. Nobody was seen running around in panic at the last minute. But then again, that’s the Danish style: calm, balanced, pragmatic. And if something did go wrong, they solved it so smoothly that not a single guest noticed. I loved how the beautiful Moltkes Palace hosted both the grand final and a wine tasting at the same time. At first, I thought: “Oh dear, this will be chaos.” But it actually worked like magic – the guests kept their voices at a pleasant hum, and instead of stressful silence during the final, we had that cozy background buzz, like in a real restaurant. Brilliant!
I was part of the team correcting the written tests. And honestly? It was an excellent exam. Well-structured, fair, with a nice mix of easy and tough questions – exactly the kind of knowledge a good sommelier should have. No weird oenology traps, no obscure trivia that nobody really needs in daily service.
Then came the showtime: Christian Aarø opened the final with such charm, you’d think he does this for a living. And there was Nina Jensen, this time not competing, but on stage – which was fantastic to see. The disciplines were clever, entertaining for both audience and jury. And there were little surprises, for example one of the guest ladies was supposed a soon-to-be mom (perfect chance to showcase Danish sparkling tea!), and a superb selection of wines, some of which we judges on stage got to taste – a nice little bonus perk.
“During competitions I always ask myself: which one of them would I want as a sommelier in a restaurant? This time, the answer is easy: all three, please.”
And then… “Jeopardy.” On the screen popped up a board of topics – who, where, when, how – with hidden questions from wine world worth 100 to 500 points. Suddenly, the finalists transformed! They forgot they were in the nerve-wracking national final and turned into kids on a playground: playing, risking, chasing the top prize. Nobody played it safe – the toughest questions went first. I’ve never seen this in a sommelier competition before. Nina Jensen – maybe pack this idea for the Sommelier World Championship in Lisbon next year!
DM 2025. Photo Dansk Sommelier Forening
Beata Vlnková at DM 2025. Photo: Dansk Sommelier Forening
The three finalists – Oliver Carr, Toke Terkildsen, and Thomas Vanhove – were each brilliant in their own way. During competitions I always ask myself: which one of them would I want as a sommelier in a restaurant? This time, the answer is easy: all three, please.
Everyone I met that day impressed me – open, direct, calm, and fun. And almost everyone at the gala dinner showed up in sneakers. That was a highlight for me – elegance on top, sneakers below. That’s a trend I’m definitely bringing home. It was the perfect example of “the lightness of being” – enjoying an extraordinary evening in the otherwise demanding life of a sommelier.
P.S. My good vibes didn’t stop the next day either. Copenhagen spoiled me with sunshine and 25°C. I squeezed in a boat ride through the canals, a visit to the Design Museum, some smørrebrød, and yes – a cold beer at Nyhavn. And a pair of new ARKK sneakers🤩.
Thanks from the bottom of my heart.
