Here Are China’s Top 10 Sommeliers

Windy Zhang

In 2020, Windy Zhang made her mark as the only female finalist in the China’s Best Sommelier Competition of French Wine. Beating everyone’s expectation, she ultimately claimed the championship title.

Born in Sichuan, a southwestern province famous for spicy cuisine, Zhang is sommelier of Ritz-Carlton hotel in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan. Her wine career began in 2015, when she learned about wine during her internship. The same year, she joined Ritz-Carlton hotel.

Throughout her career, she has drawn inspiration from pioneering female sommeliers like Liu Feifei and Cassie Hu, who mentored her in both professional skills and customer relations, helping her cultivate a strong team-oriented mindset.

“Wine is a medium that constantly encourages me to learn and brings new experiences,” Zhang reflects. “It pushes me to explore further, whether it’s visiting vineyards or deepening my knowledge about related topics like cheese, tea, cocktails, and dining.”

When it comes to pairing wine with the fiery and complex flavors of Sichuan cuisine, Zhang notes, “Given the bold tastes of our local dishes—sweet and sour, spicy—most diners tend to prefer fuller-bodied wines with a touch of residual sugar. For whites, a slightly sweet Riesling works well, while for reds, juicy Malbecs are very popular. Interestingly, data shows that wine enthusiasts still lean towards white wines.”

Zhang also acknowledges the challenges the industry faces in the wake of the pandemic. “Price is a critical concern for consumers,” she explains. “We must focus on offering diverse and interesting selections while ensuring our pricing is accessible. Transparency in pricing and avoiding product uniformity are significant challenges we need to address, along with placing more emphasis on boutique and lesser-known regions.”