Capital of Capitals

With this first article, I would like to bring you a little closer to the city where I live and where I practice one of the most exciting, stimulating, demanding, and dynamic professions… but above all, one of the most fulfilling: Sommellerie.

Beyond its grey skies and damp winters, its multicultural soul, and its vast green spaces, London has evolved into one of the world's most influential capitals for wine and gastronomy.

Gone are the old clichés about "poor food" or the basic "Fish & Chips" takeaways. Over the last decade, world-renowned chefs such as Alain Ducasse, Daniel Boulud, Heston Blumenthal, Brett Graham, Michel Roux, Simon Rogan, and Gordon Ramsay have all left their mark here. Even Spanish icons like Nacho Manzano and David Muñoz have brought their talent to the city, contributing to a landscape that now boasts 64 Michelin-starred establishments.

What is the secret behind this success? It is hard to pinpoint in a single article, but the sheer curiosity and diversity of the diners—their eagerness to experiment with new sensations—is a powerful motivator for culinary celebrities to open their doors here. The options are endless: from the latest Asian trends to classic European elegance, and through to modern Mediterranean and molecular cuisine.

Coupled with this gastronomic triumph is the world of viticulture and sommellerie—an essential ingredient. Success is only complete when the "marriage of the glass and the plate" is in perfect harmony. London is a city where diverse palates and tastes must find common ground. The solution? An expansive and incredibly diverse market where every Appellation (DO) has a place and is welcomed.

There is no doubt that London is in the top three culinary cities in the world. Furthermore, I am convinced that the British capital stands at the global pinnacle of wine cities. As a Sommelier, it offers the extraordinary opportunity to taste wines from every corner of the globe without ever leaving the city. You might find yourself tasting a Tasmanian wine in the morning, a selection from British Columbia in the afternoon, and finishing the evening with a Clos de Tart Grand Cru from Burgundy—all supported by masterclasses and producer talks that deepen our understanding of style, terroir, and history.

A significant fact that reaffirms London as the true wine capital is that the world’s three premier educational institutions for winemaking, viticulture, and sommellerie are headquartered here: The Institute of Masters of Wine, The Court of Master Sommeliers, and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

It is staggering to consider that approximately 130 Masters of Wine and 65 Master Sommeliers have their professional residence in this city, especially when you realize there are only 312 MWs and 219 MSs on the entire planet.

This concentration of expertise creates a unique pull for professionals—both sommeliers and chefs—who come here to refine their techniques and expand their knowledge in ways that wouldn't be possible in their home countries. It is difficult to resist the temptation of London, whether as a professional or simply as a lover of fine food and wine. I encourage all enthusiasts, amateurs, and professionals alike to come and enjoy the culinary Eden that the English capital has become.

I look forward to seeing you here.