Aldo Sohm is one of the finest sommeliers in the world. A native of Austria, Sohm is the Chef Sommelier at 4-star Le Bernardin in New York City. His extensive accolades include the 2009 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Wine Service, “Best Sommelier in the World” from the Worldwide Sommelier Association, “Best Sommelier in America” from the American Sommelier Association, “Best Sommelier in New York,” from New York Magazine, and “Best Sommelier in Austria.” Sohm’s signature approach to wine combines an infectious enthusiasm with abundant knowledge and no hint of pretension.

On May 1, 2007, Sohm joined Le Bernardin, the city’s longest rated four-star restaurant. As wine director, he oversees a wine collection consisting of 15,000 bottles made up of 900 wine selections from 12 countries with vintages that date back to 1945. He also trains the sommeliers to offer guests enticing food and wine pairings that range from classic to daring. His favorite pairing at Le Bernardin is scallops with morels and Chablis ler Cru Vaillon, Defaix 2000.

Sohm reached the pinnacle of wine competitions when he was awarded the highly-coveted title, “Best Sommelier in the World 2008,” by the Worldwide Sommelier Association. He is the first representative of America to win this title. The two-day competition was held in Rome in May 2008, and consisted of written exams, food and wine pairings, blind tastings, editing a wine list and performing table service in a mock restaurant.

Aldo Sohm’s fascination with wine began at the age of 19 when he accompanied his father on a visit to an Italian vineyard. Captivated with what he encountered and learned, he knew right then that he wanted to incorporate wine into a career. Soon after, Sohm attended tourism school in St. Johann/Tirol Austria, located near his hometown of Inzing. The combination of study and experience enabled him to observe first-hand the skills of some of Austria’s most accomplished sommeliers.

Sohm graduated in 1989 and spent the next 15 years working at restaurants throughout Austria, only taking a break to study Italian in Florence and fulfill military duty in Austria. While working at Steigenberger Alpenkönig restaurant in 1998, Sohm passed the official Austrian sommelier exam. That same year he attended, but did not compete in, the World Sommelier Competition with his friend Norbert Waldnig, who won third place. While the intensity of that competition was daunting, Sohm later entered the Austrian competition and won, being named "Best Sommelier of Austria 2002.” He upheld this title for four consecutive years, a feat never accomplished before or since. Sohm was also an instructor at St. Johann/Tirol where he trained two young sommeliers that later won the “Best Young Sommelier Competition” in Austria.

Sohm relocated to the United States in July 2004. He worked as the wine director at Wallsé, Blaue Gans and Café Sabarsky and was voted "Best Sommelier in New York” in 2006 by New York Magazine. The following year, Sohm competed for and won the title of "Best Sommelier in America 2007," which he upheld for two years. He currently trains sommeliers at the American Sommelier Association and was the head judge at the 2009 “Best Sommelier in America” competition.

Sohm continues to indulge in his passion for food and wine on his days off by frequenting the city’s diverse restaurants. He also enjoys exploring the Financial District, where he resides with his wife. Throughout his career, he has never altered his signature approach to wine: infectious enthusiasm and abundant knowledge with no hint of pretension.

[photo: Kent Miller and the James Beard Foundation]