The ASI family continues to grow!
Association President Andrés Rosberg has campaigned tirelessly for the ASI to take a greater role in bringing together different nations, cultures and people in the pursuit of world-class wine service.
These priorities were on full display at the General Assembly in Reims, as three nations were awarded new levels of membership. The first vote saw the Dominican Republic unanimously elevated to full membership. La Asociación Dominicana de Sommeliers, which previously held the status of observer, was formed 16 years ago in August 2003 and in 2018 held its first “Best Dominican Sommelier Contest.”
The expansion plans weren’t quite finished, though. Two other nations, Kazakhstan and Paraguay, were awarded status as observer nations. Here too the votes were unanimous. The Kazakhstan Sommelier Association, which is part of the ASI’s Asia & Oceania region, held its first Astana Sommelier Cup in 2018.
For the South American nation of Paraguay, led by National Association President Oliver Gayet, this moment was a long time coming. Gayet first completed his association’s official membership application in 2015.
Andrés Rosberg expressed tremendous satisfaction with the votes: “Diversity enriches our community, and that’s what we’ve achieved here. This is just the beginning!”