Welcome to
Association de la Sommellerie Internationale
The Association de la Sommellerie Internationale is the worldβs preeminent global advocate for the needs of the modern sommelier.
Since 1969
About ASI //
βASI was a little bit like the European Union in the beginning, today it is more like the United Nations.β-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,Β 9th March 2026.
- ASI General Assembly,Β 18 – 22Β May 2026, Taipei, TaiwanΒ
- ASIΒ 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
ASI Bootcamp Europe, Africa & Middle East, tbc
ASI Best Sommelier of Europe, 6 – 11 September 2027, Poland (Final on 10 September)
News & Events
Check out the latest ASI news, as well as updates in the world of sommellerie!
π· Happy International Xinomavro Day! π¬π·β¨
Let's play a blind tasting game! Xinomavro, "sour black" in Greek, is often compared to Nebbiolo: pale in colour, firm in tannin, high in acid. Can you spot it in a glass? π
The Style Spectrum π
π΄ Structured & age-worthy (Naoussa): Firm, dusty tannins, saliva-inducing acidity, savoury depth. Austere when young, umami-rich with age.
π Fruit-forward & modern: Riper red fruit, softer tannins, restrained oak, still savoury.
πΈ Lighter & floral (Amyndeon): Grown at 600-1,000m, brighter fruit, leaner palate, more lift.
πΉ RosΓ©: Amyndeon's signature. Vibrant and food-friendly.
π₯ Blanc de noirs sparkling: Some of Greece's finest bubbles.
π― Blends (Goumenissa, Rapsani): Rounder, softer, with local partners like Negoska.
Blind Tasting Clues π΅οΈ
β Pale ruby rim despite serious tannin: think Nebbiolo, not Cabernet
β Nose: candied red & black cherry, dried herbs, tomato leaf, olive
β Palate: taut, mouthwatering acidity, dusty tannins that grip the gums
β Finish: savoury, dried tomato, spice, a herbal lift
β Torn between Nebbiolo and Xinomavro? Look for the tomato-leaf note and sharper acidity
Serve & Pair π
Serve at 14-16Β°C. Wild mushroom risotto, sun-dried tomatoes, slow-cooked meat ragΓΉ: umami-rich food is its natural partner.
Your Challenge π£
Pour a Naoussa and an Amyndeon blind. Brighter, leaner, more floral? You're likely tasting the higher vineyard!
What's your Xinomavro clue? π
Image credit - Wines of Greece (c)
#ASISomms #ASIBestSomm #XinomavroDay #InternationalXinomavroDay #Xinomavro #Naoussa #Amyndeon #GreekWine #BlindTasting #Sommelier
Lisbon, we will remember you. π΅πΉβ€οΈ
For five days, Lisbon became the meeting point for 66 sommeliers from around the world β a place where ambition met expertise, where cultures came together, and where a shared passion brought the international sommellerie community closer.
We will remember the intensity of the competition, the anticipation before the final, the joy of new friendships and the emotion of witnessing a historic victory.
We will remember the masterclasses, the discoveries, the vineyards of Oeiras, the people who welcomed us, and the countless conversations that continued long after the challenges were over.
And we will remember the people who made it all possible: the contenders, the jury, the Portuguese Sommelier Association, our partners, volunteers and everyone who followed the journey from near and far.
The 18th ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World has come to an end. But the knowledge shared, the connections made and the memories created will travel far beyond Lisbon.
To Portugal, to everyone who contributed, and to the worldwide community that makes sommellerie what it is β thank you.
This chapter may be closed, but the journey continues.
Stay connected with ASI for what comes next. ππ₯
#asisomms #asibestsomm #asibsw2026 #ASIBestSommelier2026 #sommelier #sommeliercompetition #sommlife
π Monthly Sommelier Quiz β October Edition π€π·
October was a landmark month for the global sommelier community! ππ All eyes turned to Lisbon, Portugal, for the ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World 2026, where 66 candidates from around the world came together to compete for one of the professionβs highest honours.
We followed their journey, introduced the remarkable candidates one by one, and revisited the stories of past champions through our special podcast series. The competition culminated in a historic moment: Nikolai Haram Svorte of Norway was crowned ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026 β the first Norwegian to claim the title! π³π΄π₯ It was also the second time Portugal had hosted this prestigious event.
Along the way, we also explored Portugalβs diverse wine regions, adding another chapter to our journey through the world of wine. π΅πΉπ
Now itβs time to see how closely youβve been following the action! π‘
Take our October Sommelier Quiz in Stories and put your wine knowledge to the test. πͺ
Share your score in the comments and celebrate the spirit of competition with fellow sommeliers and wine enthusiasts! ππ
#asisomms #asibestsomm #asicontest #asiquiz #asisommelierquiz #sommelier #bestsommelieroftheworld #lisbon2026 #wine #winequiz #sommelierquiz #wineknowledge #portugalwine #nicolaiharamsvorte #wineeducation
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