Clément Sommier Wins France’s Top Sommelier Title in Lyon

Clément Sommier won the 2026 Best Sommelier of France competition on Monday in Lyon, taking one of the country’s top distinctions in wine service after reaching the final two years ago.

The contest, organized by the Union de la Sommellerie Française, ended at the Théâtre des Célestins before about 400 spectators and a professional jury. Sommier finished ahead of Augustin Belleville and Audrey Brugière after a final that lasted about three hours.

According to the French wine publication La Revue du vin de France, the finalists were tested on a wide range of skills that reflect the demands of modern sommellerie. They had to correct flawed cocktail recipes, build a Lyon-style menu around assigned wines, pair wines with a gastronomic sauce, and complete blind analysis of a wine and several spirits.

Sommier, who is from Burgundy, had already built a profile in the profession before this year’s win. He holds a degree in political science and a master’s degree in wine commerce from Burgundy School of Business. He first trained at Georges Blanc and later joined the Swiss Berthaudin group five years ago, where he continued preparing for top-level competition.

His victory marks the culmination of a second attempt at the national title. In 2024, he advanced to the final but did not win. This time, after another two years of preparation, he secured the title many in French wine circles see as a benchmark for technical knowledge, tasting ability and service under pressure.

“I am very happy. Thank you to all the people who have supported me over the past five years in these competitions,” Sommier said when receiving the award, according to La Revue du vin de France. “These are not easy moments, and today it paid off.”

The result also carries weight beyond the competition stage. In France, major sommelier titles can shape careers across restaurants, hotels, wine retail and producer relations. A national winner often gains greater visibility with importers, estates and hospitality groups, which can influence how wines and spirits are presented to consumers and trade buyers. The structure of this year’s final, which included cocktails and eaux-de-vie as well as wine service, also reflected how beverage expertise now extends beyond traditional cellar knowledge.

The next edition of the Best Sommelier of France competition is scheduled for 2028. Before then, French sommellerie will turn its attention to another major event later this year: the Best Sommelier of the World contest in Lisbon this fall. France will be represented by Pascaline Lepeltier, who will try again after narrowly missing the top prize at the last edition in Paris in 2023.