Welcome to
Association de la Sommellerie Internationale
The Association de la Sommellerie Internationale is the world’s preeminent global advocate for the needs of the modern sommelier.
Since 1969
About ASI //
“ASI was a little bit like the European Union in the beginning, today it is more like the United Nations.”-Markus Del Monego (ASI Best Sommelier of the World 1998)
Agenda
Members
ASI Mag
All the issues of ASI’s own digital magazine
Agenda EN
2026
- ASI Diploma Exam, 9th March 2026.
- ASI General Assembly, 18 – 22 May 2026, Taipei, Taiwan
- ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World, 11 – 17 October 2026. Lisbon, Portugal
- ASI Bootcamp Americas, 21-24 July 2026, Sao Paulo, Brazil
To come 2027 TBC
ASI Bootcamp Europe, Africa & Middle East, tbc
ASI Best Sommelier of Europe, 6 – 11 September 2027, Poland (Final on 10 September)
News & Events
Check out the latest ASI news, as well as updates in the world of sommellerie!
🍷 The remarkable takes time: Introducing Graham’s 1979 ‘The Artisan’
Some wines are measured not only in years, but in generations. ⏳
Nearly half a century after being selected for long-term ageing by Peter Symington, Graham’s 1979 Single Harvest Tawny Port has reached its moment. Now bottled by his son and successor, Charles Symington, it becomes the newest chapter in The Cellar Master’s Trilogy.
✨ Meet the trilogy:
🥂 The Apprentice — 1997
🍂 The Artisan — 1979
👑 The Master — 1961
Aged for 47 years in seasoned oak casks at Graham’s 1890 Lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia, ‘The Artisan’ reveals remarkable complexity while retaining freshness and elegance.
Expect enticing aromas of butterscotch, toffee and honeysuckle, followed by layers of citrus, walnuts, quince, tea and tobacco. Its lingering finish brings hints of nutmeg and tea — a beautiful expression of time, patience and craftsmanship.
As Charles Symington reminds us, ageing Port is both an art and a practice. Knowing when a wine has reached its perfect balance requires experience, instinct and the wisdom passed down through generations. 🍇
The result? A tribute to the people behind the wine, the legacy they preserve, and the extraordinary things that happen when time is given the chance to work its magic.
🥂 Discover Graham’s 1979 Single Harvest Tawny Port, available individually and as part of the complete Cellar Master’s Trilogy Collection.
@grahams_port
#ASISomms #ASIPartner #ASIPartnerNews #GrahamsPort #TheArtisan #SingleHarvestTawny #PortWine #DouroValley #WineCraftsmanship #WineLovers #SommelierLife #WineEducation
One week on. One moment that will stay with us forever. 🏆
On the final stage in Lisbon, Nikolai Haram Svorte of Norway was crowned ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026 — becoming the first Norwegian champion in the history of the competition.
But a moment like this is about more than what happens when the winner's name is announced.
It is about the journey that leads there. The preparation. The concentration. The pressure of every challenge. The people who share the experience along the way. And, finally, the emotion of seeing years of dedication culminate in a moment that changes everything.
Throughout the week in Lisbon, we witnessed the work, determination and passion that define the world's finest sommeliers. And then came the final — a moment that Norway, the international sommelier community and Nikolai himself will remember for years to come.
One week later, the emotion is still there.
Missed the final, or ready to relive it? The full livestream is available on YouTube and has already surpassed 40,000 views, after attracting more than 2,600 viewers in real time.
🎥 Rewatch the Grand Final: www.youtube.com/live/jQsKLAOW8B4?si=p1LQ9trd23xQSwAp
Congratulations once again, Nikolai. Welcome to the history of sommellerie. 🇳🇴🏆
@nikolaisvorte @norskvinkelnerforening
#ASISomms #ASIBestSomm #ASIBSW2026 #ASIBestSommelier2026 #Sommelier #SommelierCompetition #SommLife
13 women. Five semifinalists. A milestone in the history of the ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World. ✨
At the 18th edition of the competition in Lisbon, 13 women took on one of the greatest challenges in the world of sommellerie. Five advanced to the semi-finals — the highest female representation in the history of the contest.
Behind these numbers are individual journeys, years of dedication, extraordinary knowledge and the courage to step onto one of the world's most demanding professional stages.
Every contender brought her own experience, ambition and expertise to Lisbon. Together, they helped make this edition a significant moment for women in sommellerie.
Progress is built one opportunity, one performance and one generation at a time.
To all the women who competed in Lisbon: thank you for your talent, your determination and the example you set for those who will follow.
The future of sommellerie is shaped by everyone who has the opportunity to excel. 🥂
#ASISomms #ASIBestSomm #ASIBSW2026 #ASIBestSommelier2026 #WomenInSommellerie #Sommelier #SommelierCompetition
ASI Partners
