The best sommelier in Britain also debunks cork sniffing!

By complete coincidence, in view of this week’s report on the Best Sommelier in the World, comes news of Britain’s best wine waiter. Australian Matthew Wilkin of the Capital Hotel Group won the 14th Champagne Ruinart UK Sommelier of the Year Competition last week and on Wednesday crowned that triumph by achieving his three-year goal of qualifying as a Master Sommelier. Fellow new MSs are Ronan Sayburn of Gordon Ramsay, Mathieu Longuere of La Trompette and Nigel Wilkinson of Boutinot Wines.

Matthew’s wine education began in McLaren Vale and his last position in Australia was at The Summit in...