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
News & Events
Check out the latest ASI news, as well as updates in the world of sommellerie!
🎧 A Sommelier's Insight podcast: The Road to Lisbon, The Evolving Role of the Sommelier with Paolo Basso 🥇
In this episode of A Sommelier’s Insight , part of our featured The Road to Lisbon, we welcome Paolo Basso, ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2013, for a candid conversation about the evolving role of the sommelier. 🤩
From the joy and relief of winning after 18 years of competition to the unexpected responsibilities that followed, Basso reflects on a career shaped by determination, curiosity and a willingness to keep learning.👌
Looking ahead to Lisbon, Basso explains why the profession’s future depends on critical thinking, clear communication and understanding what guests actually want. 🤔He challenges sommeliers to look beyond the wine facts and the minutia of detail that often consumes the sommelier but not the consumer. He suggests the modern sommelier needs to embrace their role in sales and make wine more approachable through three simple ideas: earth, sky and time. Along the way, he offers practical advice for aspiring competitors and shares why the greatest value of competition lies in the professional you become. 🍷
Discover more in this episode of A Sommelier's Insight podcast: The Evolving Role of the Sommelier with Paolo Basso. @basso_sommelier
📺 Do not forget that you can now also watch the episodes on our YouTube channel!
▶️ YouTube: youtu.be/D4Vi7uxsDoo
🎧 Listen on podcast platforms: www.spreaker.com/episode/the-road-to-lisbon-the-evolving-world-of-sommellerie-with-paolo-basso--7...
🔗 Links in bio to previous episodes! 😉
You can also read our interview with Paolo in text version on ASI Magazine: magazine.asi.info/?p=4279
#ASISomms #ASIBestSomm #ASommeliersInsight #RoadtoLisbon #Sommelier #SommelierLife #HospitalityProfessionals #WineEducation
Road to Lisbon: meet your heroes 🤩🔥
Presenting the candidates who will contend for the title this October in Lisbon 🇵🇹
Saba Kitiashvili🍷 @sabakitiashvili
Representing: Georgia 🇬🇪 @sommelier.ge
Shalva Khetsuriani Sommelier School - Director of the Sommelier Educational Program, Shumi Winery - Head Sommelier, Etno Okami Winery - Head Winemaker, Spring Fields - Founder / Head Winemaker, National Wine Agency of Georgia - Wine Expert 📍Tsinandali, Georgia @khetsuriani.sommelier.school
Identifies with: Shavkapito 🍇 If I look closely at my professional journey and character, Shavkapito is the red grape variety that reflects me most accurately. It perfectly embodies the exact blend of scientific curiosity, academic depth, and the sommelier’s passion for discovery that guides my entire career. Shavkapito is a unique indigenous variety from the Kartli region that was nearly lost to history. It was brought back to our vineyards through the meticulous work of enthusiasts and young winemakers. Shavkapito expresses the precise terroir it comes from. Whether I am teaching students or presenting on the global stage, I believe in authenticity, staying true to my roots, and letting the true character of the origin speak for itself.
As a sommelier, I know that Shavkapito is not a mass-market, crowd-pleasing wine that shouts for attention. Instead, it is a sophisticated hidden gem meant for true professionals. What I love most about Shavkapito is its profound versatility based on how and where it was made. When crafted without long skin maceration, it is pale-colored, light, and appears deceptively simple. If you grant it long skin maceration, oak aging, or bottle maturation, it transforms into an incredibly complex, entirely different dimension from its lighter version. I always say it is like those people who appear simple at first glance, but once you get to know them, you realize they have so many doors inside them. 👏
See you in October 😉
@escancoesdeportugal
#ASISomms #ASIBestSomm #RoadtoLisbon2026 #ASIBestSommelier2026 #ASIBSW2026 #Portugal #Sommelier #Wine #SommelierContest #SommelierCompetition #SommLife
ASI National champions (June, July, August) 🏅
This summer was a particularly generous harvest on national champions, and we are excited to see new and returning winners of ASI member associations sommelier competitions, and, of course, eager to share their achievements with you! 👏
🍷National Champions of the ASI member associations summer 2026 edition (in no particular order):
🇭🇺 Sebastian Giraldo, Best Sommelier of Hungary 2026 @setigiraldo @hunsommelierclub
🇲🇽 José Miguel Jáuregui, Best Sommelier of Mexico 2026 @somm.jauregui14 @asm.mx
🇬🇪 Teona Tokhadze, Best Sommelier of Georgia 2026 @thewinefic @sommelier.ge
🇺🇾 Federico de Moura, Best Sommelier of Uruguay 2026 @sommdemoura @@sommelieruruguay
🇮🇸 Oddný Ingólfsdottir, Best Sommelier of Iceland 2026 @oddnyingolfs @ice.somm
🇫🇷 Clément Sommier, Best Sommelier of France 2026 @clement_sommier @udsfsommelleriefrancaise
🇦🇺 Paolo Saccone, Best Sommelier of Australia 2026 @vinobypaolo_ms @sommeliersaustralia
🇲🇾 Arthur Chang, Best Sommelier of Malaysia 2026 @a_r_t_h_u_r_6 @sommelier.association_my
🇬🇧 Emma Denney, UK Sommelier of the Year 2026, @emma.denney.somm @uksommelieracademy
🇩🇰 Toke Fiedler Terkildsen, Best Sommelier of Denmark 2026 @tokefiedler @dansksommelierforening
🇳🇿 Marek Przyborek, Best Sommelier of New Zealand 2026 @sommelier_maverick @nzsomm
We are thrilled to see that on top of being their national champions, some are proud ASI Bootcamp alumni! 💪 Congratulations to the winners and runner-ups for this incredible achievement! 🥂 We also hope to see some of you representing your countries next October in Lisbon! 😉
NB: if you are an ASI member association and would like to have your champion featured on our social media, do not forget to send information to news@asi.info or your regional VP, and we will make sure to include them in our next post!
#asisomms #asibestsomm #ASInews #asimember #asimembernews #sommeliercontest #sommeliercompetition #sommelier #sommelierchampions #wine
ASI Partners
