Anna Sviridenko gives her thoughts on wine: "I got into the alcohol and beverages industry by accident and started at the lowest level – as a shop assistant in a supermarket. After some time I went over to a wine boutique. Again, I started as a consultant, but after 3 years I was promoted to the store manager. Having acquired some valuable experience and knowledge I decided to move over to a restaurant. The company that I worked for assisted me to go through a sommelier school, which I completed with distinction. In 2007 I was offered a job in one of the best Italian restaurants in St. Petersburg - "Park Giuseppe". After 2 years working there I felt the need to share my knowledge by teaching students in a Wine Club at the wine boutique where I used to work previously. I organized wine tastings for wine lovers and shared my passion to wine with them. Nowadays I work in the biggest steak restaurant in Saint-Petersburg "Stroganoff Steak House". I frequently participate in various local, national and international sommelier competitions and I am proud of my achievements: Champion in the "Baltic Cup - 2013" competition in St. Petersburg Champion in the "St. Petersburg Sommelier – 2011” competition in St. Petersburg Runner-up in the "Best Sommelier of Russia – 2013” competition in Moscow Runner-up in the "Baltic Cup - 2012" competition in St. Petersburg Runner-up in the "Chaine de Rotisseurs - 2012" competition in Moscow Runner-up in the "St. Petersburg Sommelier - 2010" competition, in St. Petersburg Fourth place in the international "Chaine de Rotisseurs - 2012" competition in South Africa Third place in the "Best Sommelier of Russia – 2011” competition in Moscow In 2010 I took part in the first WOSA Sommelier Cup and came forth in the national round. I travel extensively through the wine regions of the world and have been to wineries in Italy, Spain, Austria and South Africa to expand the horizons of my wine’s knowledge." For more information, click here to go to the WOSA Sommelier World Cup homepage