Toke Did it Again - the Nordics 2026

Toke Fiedler Terkildsen. Image: ice.somm

It was a very early morning at the Copenhagen’s airport when we all met. Stine, waiting for the others, a bit tired but very excited, saw Nina, Ketil, Tim, Christian and Toke to come her way. All thrilled, nervous and very much looking forward to whatever is going to happen. And things happened. Here’ s the story about it.

What is the Nordics 2026

The Best Sommelier of the Nordics is a Championship for sommeliers that brings together the five Nordic countries—Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland—with two candidates from each country. The host country rotates, making the competition both a championship and an annual meeting point for the Nordic sommelier community. This year in Iceland, Denmark was represented by Toke Fiedler Terkildsen (the winner of DM 2026), and Ketil Sauer (second place at DM 2026). Together with the two candidates, Danish delegation consisted of the DSF’s president Christian Aarø, vice-president Tim Vollerslev, 2nd best sommelier of the world 2023 Nina Jensen, and SoMe/Web Stine Pimenova.

We all gathered for a mingling the day before the finals. A lot of smiles, hand shakes and hugs, a warm feeling of old friends meeting together after a longer break. With Negroni in hand, Alba Hough, the president of Iceland Sommelier Association, greets all participants and guests in a witty and fun way, just the way she is. We try wines, chat in smaller and bigger groups, take pictures and exchange contacts. We are all very ecstatic, yet nervousnesses is in the air. We all know that tomorrow is the day X.

Uncommonly for sommeliers, the dinner table is full of soft drinks, just accompanied with a single glass of wine or beer. Very quickly, after finishing food, the table empties. The sommeliers are ready for the fight. Friendly, and full of respect, but someone has to win. And it might be a dream for all ten candidates.

Examples of the Theory Exam and Final Tasks of the Stage

Before the round of applause for everyone making the Nordics 2026 a huge succes, the special thanks go to Heidi Mäkinen, MW Finland, for preparing the theory exam, as well as final tasks on the stage. The amount of work put into it was incredible, and without Heidi’s input the Championship wouldn’t be the same. She kindly allowed us to get a sneak peek of a couple of theory’s questions:

• Explain layering in the vineyards

• On which date did the first people start harvesting in Champagne in 2026?

• Mention six different ways to inhibit malolactic conversion

• Name the Burgundy producers who got 3 Stars from Michelin in July 2026

• Name the regions of origins of the following wine producers

a) Cortes de Cima

b) Soalheiro

c) Casa Ferreirinha

d) Taboadella

e) Casal da Coelheira

Final tasks on the stage:

1. 6min: identify three beverages and explain techniques behind them

2. 4min: table for two, serve aperitifs

3. 6min: decant and serve a bottle of red wine

4. 6min: 5 course Nordic celebratory dinner with wine and food pairing

5. 4min: full analysis of a wine

And the Winner is…

1st Place: Toke Fiedler Terkildsen (Denmark)
– Best Sommelier of the Nordics 2026
As part of his victory, both Champagne Lanson and Gérard Bertrand are delighted to invite Toke for an educational trip to visit their wineries.

2nd Place: Dmitry Frolov (Finland)

3rd Place: Manuel Schembri (Iceland)

From the left: Tim Vollerslev, Toke Fiedler Terkildsen, Christian Aarø. Image: ice.somm

Toke’s Feedback on the Nordics 2026

“The competition this year was very fun. Very well organized and there seemed to be nothing lacking from the competition side of things which is always a great experience when competing, because you don't need to worry about anything but you also really get to be challenged within the amazing setting that Sommelier competitions are. This year was very challenging with the tasks and the other candidates also did very well both in the semi finals and on stage. It is always entirely surreal to be able to stand next to such great talents especially when it is still in the early part of my career and life with wine. Just like I have previously experienced it never really hits you that I have now achieved what a lot of the people I look up to have done in the past. It is an incredible experience to have won and to be able to hold that title knowing how much meaning and history it has in our community.”

And he continues: “I am very grateful to the Nordic Countries for organizing and carrying out this great competition every single year. And to have been able to attend it for 2 years in a row. I will look forward to cheering on the future candidates who will be stepping up to this amazing challenge and this amazing network.”

Stine’s Quick Questions to the Competitors

To clear to the tension, as a fun part of the Championship, Stine ran away asking two quick questions to the competitors to get to know their preferences and general ideas on wine. It was impossible to catch them all but here are some of the answers on the questions:

1. What is one grape you think is overestimated?

2. Which one is your favorite grape, and why?

Natalie Hayashi, Finland:

1. I think it’s probably Chardonnay. And don’t get me wrong I don’t mean that it’s a bad grape at all. Quite the opposite it’s incredibly versatile and can make beautiful wines in so many different styles. For me Chardonnay can also be quite boring when it’s made without much thought or by a less skilled winemaker. But in the hands of a great winemaker, it can be absolutely mesmerising. So I think it’s more how much attention and trust it gets compared with other varieties.

2. Definitely Chenin Blanc. I love its naturally high acidity, versatility and ageing potential. It can be made in so many different styles, from fresh and mineral, from sweet and dry to rich, textured/skin-contacted and beautifully age worthy, and it can work really well with oak too.

Ketil Krongaard Sauer, Denmark:

1. Cabarnet Saugivnon. Depending on where it’s grown, it has a tendency to become too extracted, powerful and tannic. And it lacks the elegance, and for personally acidity is quite important, and it’s something that is forgotten, when we talk about Cabarnet Sauvignon.

2. Riesling - because the acidity is there.

From the left: Aleksander Solbakken Iversen, Toke Fiedler Terkildsen, Ketil Sauer, Oddný Ingólfsdóttir, Ellen Lindegren, Manuel Schembri, Isak Lauridsen, Fredrik Kristoffer Aga, Dmitry Frolov, Natalie Hayashi. Image: ice.somm

Dmitry Frolov, Finland:

1. Pinot Noir, as some of the greatest wines in the world made of it there too many expectations especially when it comes not from its origin, Burgundy.

2. There are many, but today let it be Chenin Blanc, it may shine in different styles and different terroirs but always keeping it’s vibrancy.

Toke Fiedler Terkildsen, Denmark:

1. 1. Pinot Noir? It’s good but it’s not the only good grape. And typically for a lot of people it becomes a hit. Underestimated, on the other hand, is Kadarka. It’s kind of like Pinot Noir. It’s light, fresh, very niche.

2. A new one (laughs).

Aleksander Solbakken Iversen, Norway:

1. Chardonnay. It is a beautiful gem for sommeliers, and you can do a lot in terms of vinification, but you don’t really find the soul of the place in Chardonnay.

2. If I have to name an interesting grape for me now, it’s Chenin Blanc, it shows beautifully in a lot of spots around the world. But I don’t have a favorite grape variety, it is all about people, occasion, food and the feeling. Or maybe Zinfandel (laughs).

Ellen Lindegren, Sweden:

1. I think Aligoté from Burgundy (read: underestimated). You can find it for a much better price range than Chardonnay, you have a brighter acidity, it’s often very enjoyable and not a lot of people know it.

2. Must be Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. I know, I’m boring saying that, but if I had to drink one grape for the rest of my life, it’d probably be Pinot.

From the left: Toke Fiedler Terkildsen, Christian Aarø, Stine Pimenova, Ketil Sauer, Nina Jensen, Tim Vollerslev. Image: DSF

The Nordics 2026 was an incredible experience and a huge work of a group of the finest from all five Nordic countries. We want to thank everyone who was a part of this great Championship, especially Alba Hough, Heidi Mäkinen, all jury members and sponsors. The Nordics can do it. Denmark can do the best. And see you next year. Guess where? In Copenhagen!