Taylor’s Port launches inaugural Vintage Years Sommelier Challenge

Taylor’s Port is raising the bar for wine professionals with a new competition designed to celebrate expertise in one of the world’s most storied wine styles. The Taylor’s Port Vintage Years, UK Sommelier Challenge will invite the country’s top sommeliers to put their palates to the test in a competition focused entirely on Vintage Port. Following its recent announcement as headline partner of the Taylor’s Port Top 100 Sommeliers 2025, Taylor’s is introducing a new challenge tailored to showcase the skills and knowledge of the UK’s finest sommeliers. The competition, which opens for nominations on 1 May 2025, will be conducted by invitation only and culminates in a special event held at Berry Bros. & Rudd’s Napoleon Cellar on 14 July. Hosted by Taylor’s Port technical director and head winemaker David Guimaraens, the event will include a blind tasting of six Vintage Ports from six different decades. Participants will be required to write tasting notes, suggest appropriate drinking windows and recommend food pairings for each wine. They will then have one week to refine their entries before submitting them for judging. Guimaraens will evaluate each submission based on the accuracy of the tasting notes, the appropriateness of the drinking window and the creativity and insight of the food pairings.

An educational experience with a competitive edge

Before the tasting begins, entrants will be treated to an in-depth seminar led by Guimaraens himself. The day will include a Port Tong masterclass, offering participants a chance to deepen their understanding of Port beyond the glass. The overall winner of the competition will receive a two-night stay for two at the five-star Yeatman Hotel in Porto, complete with meals and a private tasting with David Guimaraens, as well as a selection of Taylor’s Vintage Port. Prizes will also be awarded to the runner-up and those placing third to fifth. As part of the competition’s ongoing educational mission, all winning entries will be published on the Taylor’s Port website. These will remain accessible for sommeliers seeking inspiration and for consumers interested in learning how best to enjoy their bottles. Lisa O’Donnell, director of Fladgate & Fortified Wines UK, explained the thinking behind the challenge: “For many people, opening a bottle of vintage Port is a very special moment, however, we have noticed that there is still a certain lack of awareness from the trade and consumers around how and when to best to enjoy their prized bottles.” She added: “We are hoping that by engaging some of the UK’s very best sommeliers to share their expertise, it may in turn give further confidence to the trade and consumers eager to learn more about how to enjoy these exceptional wines.” David Guimaraens commented on the significance of the event: “I am delighted to be able to host and judge such a prestigious competition.” He continued: “We are constantly on a mission to educate Port drinkers on how best to enjoy these iconic wines and what better way to do so than by engaging some of the greatest palates in the UK.”

Entry details and background

Entry opens on 1 May via the Taylor’s Port website and is available by invitation only. Sommeliers interested in learning more are encouraged to contact Mentzendorff, Taylor’s Port, or their Sommelier Edit Top 100 representative.