Other
Nina Højgaard Jensen
Sommelier
- Discipline
- Other
i. Biography
Wine service at Alchemist in Copenhagen asks for precision, pace, and a cellar mind that can support ambitious menus without crowding them. As Wine Director, Nina Højgaard Jensen works in that register: selection, sequencing, and service built to meet a chef’s intent cleanly. The role sits at the point where technical judgment becomes structure, and her path into it was built through consecutive responsibility rather than sudden elevation.
The Climb
At Kong Hans Kælder in Copenhagen, the sommelier role required close reading of the room and constant calibration. Nina Højgaard Jensen used that setting to refine the practical skills that define the floor: palate control, timing, and the ability to place a wine in service without disturbing the balance of the table. Moving from sommelier to head sommelier, she took on broader control of rhythm and tone, with the transition marking expanded technical command as well as authority over service itself. That same progression now shows in her work as Wine Director at Alchemist in Copenhagen. The position places Nina Højgaard Jensen over a cellar and pairing program that depends on exact decisions made in sequence, not in isolation. Her remit is less about display than about construction: matching intensity, preserving balance, and shaping how the wines carry the meal forward. The line from floor service to leadership is clear in her career, and it is the craft underneath the title that gives the role its weight.
Today
She serves as Wine Director at Alchemist in Copenhagen.
Recognition
The awards attached to Nina Højgaard Jensen track the same measured ascent seen in her service roles. In 2017, she won the Danish Sommelier Championship, a result that placed her at the top level of the profession at home. In 2019, she added two further distinctions: World Sommelier Championship — silver medal (2019) and World's Best Sommelier Competition — runner-up (2019). Taken together, those results point to technical consistency, composure under pressure, and recognition across both national and international stages.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Nina
What is Nina Højgaard Jensen's current role?
As of 2026, Nina Højgaard Jensen is Wine Director.
Where did Nina Højgaard Jensen work before?
Nina Højgaard Jensen's earlier career included Kong Hans Kælder.
What recognition has Nina Højgaard Jensen received?
World's Best Sommelier Competition — runner-up (2019).
