How do you go from being a young sommelier in Jutland to suddenly standing on an international stage surrounded by some of the world’s most skilled professionals? For Toke Fiedler Terkilldsen, 23, sommelier and waiter at Restaurant AOC and No.2, it began with curiosity and with saying yes when the opportunity arose, even before he felt “fully ready”.

At the final held at Hotel d’Angleterre in Copenhagen on October 20, Ketil Sauer from Denmark was announced as the winner of the first edition of the Master of Port Scandinavia.

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.

My journey with the Jeunes Sommeliers Competition started in February/March when I signed up as the Danish competitor for the international competition. At that time, I had never entered a competition before and still did not know what it was going to take.

The Danish Sommelier Championship 2025 at Moltkes Palæ was not only a showcase of talent, knowledge, and precision: it was also a celebration of our community. An event like this is only possible thanks to the many people who dedicate their time, energy, and expertise.

Nina Jensen and Christian Thorsholt Jacobsen are already in full swing planning and organizing the Danish Sommelier Championship 2025. I checked in with Nina to ask her 5 quick questions about preparing for the big day.

Danish wine is on the rise, capturing growing attention from local wine enthusiasts, international investors, and producers alike. With a vibrant spirit among winemakers and ever-improving quality in the glass, the coming years promise to be an exciting era for Danish viticulture.

The story about Danish wine is a short one. Roughly told it begins in 1993, when the pioneer Michael Gundersen plants his first Rondo vine in Avedøre, where he six years later, in 1999, starts Dansk Vincenter.

As part of the Master of Portwine Scandinavia competition, my colleagues Ketil, Kim, and I from the Danish Sommelier Association set out for Porto and the Douro Valley. We had an exciting journey ahead of us, filled with opportunities to deepen our understanding of port wine’s rich history, meet passionate producers, and face intense tests and tastings—all bringing us closer to a place in next year’s finals in Copenhagen. 

When I got home from Oslo this year, my spouse asked me to describe how my trip was. I found it hard to describe, as I was still processing all that had happened in just a weekend. So, she asked me to pick one word, and I chose “amazing.” But that doesn’t really do it justice. Let’s backtrack a bit, and I’ll explain why!

A Battle of Palates, Precision, and Unmatched Wine Expertise.