#106 - Derek Li: from Hong Kong nightlife to Advanced Sommelier & Wine Educator

What happens when raw nightlife energy meets world-class wine knowledge? We sat down with Derek Li, one of Hong Kong’s most compelling sommeliers, to find out.

From selling cocktails in the chaos of Lan Kwai Fong to studying for the Master Sommelier exam, Derek shares how passion, curiosity, and pure hustle shaped his journey. We talk about breaking into the wine industry, what it really takes to sell wine on the floor, and why education matters more than ego. Derek opens up about training young sommeliers, building unforgettable guest experiences, blind tasting, and navigating a changing F&B scene.

We also dive into bold wine pairings, unexpected regions, the reality of studying for the world’s toughest wine exams. And even how music fits into his philosophy of life.

If you love wine, hospitality, or stories that go beyond labels and titles, this episode will challenge how you think and make you want to pour a glass and listen closely.

▬▬ 🎁 GIFTS 🎁 ▬▬

📚 Wine Science: the application of science in winemaking, by Jamie Goode

🤓 Join the Academy and learn all you need to know about wine

🎁 Get your wine essentials on our shop: a curated selection of wine glasses, posters and much more

▬▬ ⭐️ ABOUT ⭐️ ▬▬

My name is Antoine, and I’ve been passionate about wine for several years. I knew nothing at first, so I went out to meet the biggest figures in the industry and turned those encounters into a podcast that’s now listened to by over 100,000 people. I now share with you what I’ve learned, and I hope we embark together on a beautiful wine journey to discover the finest experiences.

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