Mumbai, 28th January 2025: India witnessed a historic milestone as the Sommeliers Association of India (SAI) successfully hosted the grand finale of the inaugural edition of the 2025 SAI Best Sommelier of India competition at the iconic The LaLiT, Mumbai. Jai Singh emerged victorious with a prestigious jury panel of global wine icons.
Amrita Singh, co-founder and President of the SAI: “The successful execution of this event marks a defining moment for the Indian sommelier community. All participants should be proud of their outstanding performances, and we are excited to see how they will continue to contribute to the growth of India’s hospitality culture”.
The competition serving as the national qualifier for top international platforms, drew talented sommeliers from across India and Indian sommeliers working in Dubai, Maldives, Singapore, Italy, New Zealand and International cruise ships eager to showcase their skills. After intense quarter-finals and semi-finals, the grand finale saw Jai Singh crowned as the “2025 SAI Best Sommelier of India”, with Pankaj Singh and Amber Deshmukh securing second and third places. The top three winners will now embark on an exciting journey—attending the prestigious ASI Education Boot Camp in Singapore this July. Jai Singh will further make history by representing India for the first time ever at the 2025 ASI Contest Best Sommelier of Asia & Pacific in Malaysia and the 2026 ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World in Portugal.
Mattia Antonio Cianca, co-founder and Vice-President of the SAI said, “This marks a great beginning for Indian sommellerie, showcasing immense potential and promising talent. The level of skill and passion displayed during the competition, gives us confidence that Indian sommeliers are ready to shine on the world stage”.
The esteemed jury panel featured renowned industry icons, ensuring a fair and thorough evaluation process according to the guidelines of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI). Key judges included Saiko Tamura-Soga, ASI Vice-President for Asia & Pacific; Nina Basset FIH, co-founding trustee, Gérard Basset Foundation; Sonal Holland MW, India’s first and only Master of Wine; Henri Chapon, Master Sommelier; Mattia Antonio Cianca, Best Sommelier of Italy and Best Sommelier of Australia; Salvatore Castano, Best Sommelier of Europe and Africa; Cyril Thevenet, Advanced Sommelier, Court of Master Sommeliers ASI Diploma Gold among other distinguished experts from the global sommelier community.
As the competition concludes, the Sommeliers Association of India celebrates this momentous occasion as a stepping stone for India’s growing recognition in the global sommelier community. With the winners poised to represent the country at prestigious international events, this not only showcases the exceptional talent of our sommeliers but also paves the way for greater opportunities in the hospitality sector, fostering a bright future for the Indian beverage industry.
Text and photos : Sommeliers Association of India
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