It is a cold, windy March day in Copenhagen, and Sydhavnens Vinbar is exactly the right place to meet Oliver Carr. He arrives to our conversation the way, I imagine, he arrives everywhere: relaxed, thoughtful, and with no apparent desire to be the centre of attention. He is Denmark’s Best Sommelier 2025 — a title he won at Moltkes Palæ on 8 September 2025, ahead of two very strong competitors — and yet the first thing he tells me is that he entered DM mostly as training for his Master Sommelier. I am soon to find out, that it is a very Oliver Carr kind of answer.

Tak for alle gode minder i bestyrelsen, tak for det sociale samvær og tak for mange bekendtskaber.

Over the past year, Dansk Sommelier Forening has developed a new digital presence through its website, social media and newsletters. As Ronja Bo Gustavsson now takes orlov from the board and hands over the editorial role, she reflects on the work that has been done and introduces the new team who will continue developing the association’s communication.

Marlene Lund Larsen has worked in the restaurant industry for more than sixteen years and is trained through a traditional waiter apprenticeship. Her career includes positions at several highly regarded Danish restaurants, including Ti Trin Ned, where she worked as Assistant Restaurant Manager and Head Sommelier, and Falsled Kro, where she further developed her experience in fine dining service and wine programs.

When I asked Gin Isabel where it all began, she did not talk about a special bottle. She talked about work.

“I started as a dishwasher. It is hard, but it teaches you so many things. The kitchen porter is the heart of the restaurant. I was 14 years old.”

From a baptism gift of Château Clinet to leading wine programs in California, Rasmus has carried his passion with him. When I spoke with him over Zoom, he came across as open, realistic and very humble.

When I visited Udtryk, it was full-on getting ready for service.The small courtyard with a big maple tree confirms you have arrived. Even if it’s central Copenhagen the courtyard helps you with the transition into the restaurant, that gives a warm feeling when you enter.

Toke Fiedler Terkildsen may only be in his early twenties, but his thoughtful approach to wine, service, and study already sets him apart. It was a sunny June afternoon in north part of Copenhagen when I picked him up from the train station. We met to talk about his journey and daily work but the conversation ended up touching on everything from career choices to curiosity, sake, and the small moments that make service meaningful.

At No. 2 in Copenhagen, I met with Jonathan Gouveia, who had just returned from Austria with news worth celebrating. His journey to the Master Sommelier title took just over seven years, from his first steps into wine in 2017 to passing the final exam in 2025. He had passed the final part of the Master Sommelier exam, making him one of only three people in Denmark to hold the prestigious title of Master Sommelier.

In conversation with a skydiving chef-sommelier who balances leadership, curiosity, and a love for pairings.

A Special Moment at the General Assembly in South Africa

At the 2025 ASI General Assembly in Cape Town, Tim Vollerslev, Vice President of Dansk Sommelier Forening, was honoured in a moment of well-deserved recognition. Tim Vollerslev was named an Honorary Member of ASI as a thank you for his 42 years of exceptional work.

From Lolland to the polished floors of a Michelin-starred restaurant, this is Pernille Malec’s story. With nearly two decades in hospitality, she has had setbacks, cultivated strength, and never stopped learning. This is the story of a woman who opens more than wine, she opens windows into what hospitality looks like.

Wine can feel complicated, but not when Stine Pimenova is behind the bar. She keeps things real, no snobbery, just great wine and good company. With a background in art and a straight-talking approach, this is Stines story.

In 2025, Danish sommeliers continue to showcase their dedication to the craft and their openness to new ideas and trends. This article is based on a survey conducted among Dansk Sommelier Forening’s members in September and October 2024.

Nina Jensen, one of the world's top sommeliers has built a career on her passionate skill, and a deep love for wine. For Nina, a pivotal moment came with a single glass of Madeira from 1853—a taste of history.