Here Are China’s Top 10 Sommeliers

Arneis Wu

Named after the delicate and floral Italian white grape Arneis, Wu’s passion with wine can be traced back to his college age, when he was studying Vin and Wine Engineering at Shandong Agricultural University in Northern China, one of the 19 universities in China providing a degree in wine. 

Currently serving as the wine director of Sheng Yong Xing and Ting Group in Shanghai, Wu was previously the head sommelier of the now-closed Joel Robuchon China Group in the same city. 

His career in wine, particularly as a sommelier, has been transformative, boosting his confidence in self-expression. “I was kind of introverted before,” Wu said, “I remember my voice was shaking when giving my graduation speech.”

“Treating different new customers everyday helped me a lot in personal growth,” Wu said.

The year 2017 was a turning point for Wu.. He became an Advanced Sommelier of the Court of Master Sommelier and won the championship of the 9th China National Sommelier Competition. The same year, he was awarded the Best Sommelier by Wine Australia. The following year, the wine list of L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon Shanghai, a Michelin 2-star restaurant Wu worked for, won China’s Wine List of the Year (mainland China), and Wu was recognized as China’s Outstanding Sommelier of the Year (mainland China).

Reflecting on the challenges facing fine dining restaurants, Wu notes that while more affordable eateries have attracted more traffic after Covid-19, fine dining has struggled during the economic slowdown. To cope with the new economic condition, Wu decided to give up some profits by lowering the price, especially for expensive wines. 

“You cannot change the environment, but only yourself,” Wu concluded.

Champagne plays an important role in Wu’s work and personal life. When Wu was dating his current wife, she agreed to enter a relationship with him after finishing 12 bottles of champagne – it ultimately took 18 bottles to seal the deal.