Insights into Danish Sommeliers in 2025
In 2025, Danish sommeliers continue to uphold their traditions while remaining open to new ideas and trends. This article is based on a survey conducted among Dansk Sommelier Forening’s members in September and October 2024. Participation varied by question, but approximately 31.7% of the members contributed to the survey. Not all participants answered every question, which led to differences in response counts across topics, reflecting varying levels of engagement and interests. These results should be seen as an indication rather than definitive conclusions.
How important is sustainability in your restaurant wine list?
Sustainability: A Key Priority
Sustainability is very important for Danish sommeliers. 60% of sommeliers say sustainability is either "important" or "very important" when they choose wines for their lists. Many sommeliers also focus on biodynamic wines, with 100% of the participants saying they always or often include biodynamic wines on their lists. This demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting environmentally friendly practices among our members.
Exploring New Regions and Styles
Danish sommeliers are seeking new and interesting wines. 68% of sommeliers regularly explore new wine regions and styles for their menus.
Some examples our members gave include:
Eastern Europe
Abruzzo
Loire
Denmark (and English sparkling wines for high-end sparkling options)
Gredos
New grape varieties adapting to climate change
Cab Franc and Mencia, which are gaining more interest from clients
These examples show that our members are open to discovering both new and overlooked regions to keep their wine lists interesting.
No-Low Alcohol Wines on the Rise
No-low alcohol wines are becoming more popular, and 62% of sommeliers in Denmark now include them on their wine lists. These wines are a great option for a variety of customers, catering to different health, cultural, and lifestyle needs. 50% of sommeliers say they know something about how these wines are made, and 22.5% want to learn more. This shows that this category could grow even more in the future.
Inclusivity and Dietary Awareness
Sommeliers are paying more attention to dietary needs. 78% of danish sommeliers say they sometimes, often, or always offer wines that cater to allergies, such as gluten-free or lactose-free wines.
Key Challenges: Balancing Responsibilities
The sommelier profession can be challenging. 26.8% of danish sommeliers say balancing wine service with other responsibilities is a challenge, and another 26.8% mention staying updated with wine trends and education. Managing wine inventory (19.6%) and coordinating with kitchen and service staff (3.6%) are also noted as taking time. Other include scheduling and conducting staff training (10.7%) and handling customer inquiries and education (12.5%). These insights highlight the diverse roles sommeliers must juggle in their daily work.
What is your current pain point in time management in your daily work as a sommelier?
Learning and Growth
Sommeliers in Denmark use different resources to learn and grow in their careers. 28% of sommeliers prefer wine courses and certifications, while 25% use online resources. 15% use social media as a way to learn, showing how digital platforms are becoming more useful for sommeliers. Others rely on wine publications (18%) and networking events or tastings (18%).
What are your primary sources for learning?
Technology and the Future
Danish sommeliers have mixed feelings about technology. 50% of sommeliers believe that technology will significantly change their role, while 25% are neutral and 25% disagree. This shows that sommeliers are still debating how much technology will shape the profession.
Do you think technology will significantly change the role of the sommelier?
Conclusion: Growing and Adapting
In 2025, Danish sommeliers are mixing tradition with new ideas, with a strong commitment to sustainability, exploration of new wine regions, and emerging trends like no-low alcohol wines. With continuous learning and adaptation, Denmark is an exciting and evolving place for sommeliers to work.
Thanks to all our members who participated in the survey.
