From left, Julien Bourlard MW, MS; Tommy Lam, Founder of the China Sommelier Competition; Derek Li MS. Photographed at Court of Master Sommeliers Examination 16 August 2026.
On 16 August 2026, the Court of Master Sommeliers held its highest-level Master Sommelier Diploma examination in Asia for the first time, at the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong. This examination set two historic milestones in Asia.
Julien Boulard MW, a French based in China, successfully passed the examination, becoming the sixth person in the world to hold both the Master of Wine (MW) and Master Sommelier (MS) titles. Born in Alsace, France, Boulard moved to China in 2003. Fluent in Mandarin, he began his career at a wine importer in Guangxi before transitioning to wine education. He obtained his Master of Wine title in 2019. The global “double master” club previously comprised only five members: the late Gerard Basset (1957-2019), Ronn Wiegand, Doug Frost, Eric Hemer, and Benjamin Hasko.
Derek Li became the first Hong Kong-born Master Sommelier. Born and raised in Hong Kong, he has worked in wine service for over 20 years. He has worked with several renowned hospitality groups in Hong Kong, including JIA Group, and oversaw the wine programmes at Michelin-starred restaurants Louise and Duddell’s. He has also served as a judge at numerous international wine competitions, including Decanter Asia Wine Awards, International Wine & Spirit Competition, and Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition.
Since the first Master Sommelier examination was held at London’s Vintners’ Hall in 1969, fewer than 300 people worldwide have earned the Master Sommelier title. The Master Sommelier diploma examination consists of three parts: theory, practical tasting, and practical service. The successful hosting of the Hong Kong examination marks a new phase in the Court of Master Sommeliers’ expansion in Asia. The addition of Boulard and Li further strengthens the ranks of Master Sommeliers in Asia.
