The Association de la Sommellerie Internationale ready for the future

G.A. of A.S.I. Bordeaux
The Association de la Sommellerie Internationale ready for the future

On the occasion of its General Assembly held in Bordeaux within the frame of VINEXPO, the A.S.I. showed a definitely new vitality.

With Shinya Tasaki, its new president elected last November for a three year mandate, the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale has now ambitious commitments and wants to fulfill the goals of the association.

- To be totally neutral and financially independent is the key point of the new policy of A.S.I. Which explain the diversification of partnerships and the decision of avoiding the sponsorship of any A.S.I. continental or world contest by only one big brand.

- Harmonizing the qualification of sommeliers all around the world, an obvious wish of A.S.I. for many years, will be effective in 2012 thanks to the setting up of certification exams.

- Training, information will go through the totally renewed A.S.I. website. E-learning for the candidates of the exams as well as the competitions, national and international news regarding the world of wine and sommellerie, news from the official international partners of A.S.I., from O.I.V., from the 54 members of the association…

- A virtual press-room on www.sommellerie-internationale.com allowing journalists from all over the world to pick information about sommellerie.

- On the occasion of this meeting in the amphitheater of the Congress Center of Bordeaux-Lac, the Australian Sommelier Association became an active full member of A.S.I., the members of the Technical Committee for competitions have been accepted, contracts of partnership have been announced – Arc International, Moët & Chandon, Peter Lehmann/Hess Family Estates, SanPellegrino/Acqua Panna, CIVA, NESPRESSO, SUNTORY, VINEXPO, SommelierS International, AWMB (Austrian Wines) – so as the program for the next General Assemblies and Council of Administration meetings A.S.I. Also the schedule of the contests:

- A.S.I. Contest of the Best Sommelier of Asia-Oceania in South Korea, in May 2012,

- A.S.I. APAS Contest of the Best Sommelier of the Americas in Argentina and Brazil, in September 2012,

- A.S.I. Contest of the Best Sommelier of the World in Japan, in March 2013,

- A.S.I. Contest of the Best Sommelier of Europe in Italy and Monaco, in Autumn 2013.

Let’s point out that Moët & Chandon, the historical partner of A.S.I., is taking care of the A.S.I. Club of the Best Sommeliers of the World.

The next A.S.I. General Assembly will take place in South Korea in May 2012.