What a celebration it was!
650 sommeliers from around the world gathered to toast the ASI family with champagne, in Champagne.
We welcomed many ASI national presidents, past winners of the Best Sommelier of the World competition and of course hard-working wine service professionals from close and far.
Together we tended to business at the General Assembly, were courted with products from 170 winegrowers and high-end producers, attended educational masterclasses and even toured the Abbaye Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers where Dom Pérignon is laid to rest.
14,000 wine glasses were used over 3 days, and at least that many smiles were seen… a fine showing, I’d say.
For me, the real cause for celebration is how we, the ASI, grew closer together as a family. By congregating in Reims, the cradle of our profession, we crafted a unique opportunity to come together with so many fine professionals and people who share our singular passion.
We proved anew that it’s not what is in our glasses, but rather what is in our hearts that matters in this field, and beyond.
And shared in a reminder that we should be proud of our past, even as we keep our eyes on the future.
In brief: Wine, Service, Sommelier.
Santé!
Andrés Rosberg
President, Association de la Sommellerie Internationale