The rise of the Water Sommelier in China
As China's middle-class grows, the relatively new role of "water sommelier" has become more popular. China hosted its first water-tasting contest in Guangzhou this year, with a judging panel of five experienced water sommeliers, with Chinese brand Krystal being one of the winners. China's water bottlers are now exploring premium water sources in remote areas of the country, including the Chinese-Siberian frontier. Water sommeliers must be able to determine the sample’s origin, as well as its carbonation, nitrate concentration, pH value and mineral content.

Fresh from China’s first water-tasting event, Michael Mascha explains arts of water appreciation and water pairing, while fellow expert Danny Tsai, adviser to Taiwan bottlers, explains the six grades of water