Greater China Adds Two Master Sommeliers in Landmark Exam

Julien Boulard becomes one of only six people to hold both the Master of Wine and Master Sommelier titles, while Derek Li makes history as Hong Kong’s first homegrown Master Sommelier.

Julien Boulard MW and Derek Li have become the latest wine professionals to earn the prestigious Master Sommelier title, the Court of Master Sommeliers announced Sunday following the organisation’s first Master Sommelier examination held in the Asian city.

The examination made two histories. China-based Boulard became one of only six people worldwide to hold both the Master of Wine and Master Sommelier titles, while Li made history as Hong Kong’s first born-and-raised Master Sommelier.

Born in Alsace, Boulard moved to China in 2003 and has been based in the country ever since. He began his wine career with an importer in the southwestern region of Guangxi before becoming a wine educator. In 2019, he earned the Master of Wine title.

Fluent in both spoken and written Mandarin, Boulard has more recently begun creating content for Chinese social media platforms, including RedNote, Weibo and WeChat.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Li has spent more than 20 years working in wine service. His career includes roles with some of the city’s leading hospitality groups, including JIA Group, where he oversaw the wine programmes at Michelin-starred restaurants Louise and Duddell’s.

He has also judged numerous wine competitions, including the Decanter Asia Wine Awards, the International Wine & Spirit Competition and the Cathay Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition.

Fewer than 300 candidates have earned the Master Sommelier title since the first examination was held at Vintners’ Hall in London in 1969. Master Sommeliers now come from countries and regions including the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, France, South America, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, China, Poland, Bulgaria, Japan, India, Turkey, Australia and New Zealand.

The Master Sommelier Diploma Examination consists of three sections: theory, practical tasting and practical service. The theory component is assessed through oral questioning, and candidates must achieve a score of at least 75% in each section to pass.

The addition of Boulard and Li expands a growing group of Asia-based wine professionals who have earned the title.

In 2024, Taiwan’s Kevin Lu became a Master Sommelier. In 2019, Toru Takamatsu became the world’s youngest Master Sommelier – and the first from Japan – after passing his final examination at the age of 24. Lu Yang became China’s first Master Sommelier in 2017.