The Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), the non-profit global governing body of sommellerie, is pleased to announce the semi-finalists for the ASI Contest Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa & Middle East 2024. After an intense day of quarter-final challenges at the prestigious Hyatt Regency Belgrade, candidates from across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East showcased their extraordinary talents and deep knowledge of wine, beer, spirits, and other beverages.  

Held in the historic and culturally vibrant city of Belgrade, Serbia, this year’s competition has drawn sommeliers from as far away as the southern tip of Africa to Europe’s northern extreme, each representing the highest calibre of their profession. All 41 competitors were put through a rigorous quarterfinal round featuring a combination of service, tastings and written examinations. ASI Sommeliers Contests Committee co-chair, Olivier Poussier, says “the calibre of our competitors continues to improve with each contest. What’s more impressive is the quality of those that don’t reach the semi-final and final round. The difference between the top competitors and those that fail to reach the semi-finals is less than in the past. All competitors should be applauded for simply being here. Those that reached the semi-finals can rest assured, even if they don’t compete in the finals, they have the knowledge and skills to do so. The difference between a finalist and a semi-finalist is now razer thin.”

While the contest focuses on competition, gathering together celebrates both the unity and diversity within the world of wine, spirits, and service, but it is also important for ASI to provide additional educational opportunities. Over the course of competition, delegates, competitors, and guests experience a rich lineup of masterclasses designed to explore local and international beverages, ranging from Serbian wines to Japanese sake, enhancing the educational depth of this event. These sessions are thoughtfully curated to engage all attendees with a broad spectrum of flavours and insights, fostering a spirit of learning and camaraderie. Highlights include:

  • Wine Treasures of Serbia – Led by renowned sommelier Tomislav Ivanović, this session delves into Serbia's unique indigenous grape varieties, allowing participants to discover rare wines that reflect the region's terroir and history.
  • Serbian Rakia – Legacy and Future – PhD Ivan Urošević will explore the past, present, and future of Rakia, Serbia's traditional spirit, spotlighting its craftsmanship and cultural significance.
  • Water and Wine by Perlage – Guest lecturer Tadeusz Kwacz dives deep into a subject central to the sommelier profession.
  • Japanese Sake: A Closer Look at the Sommelier’s Secret Weapon – Michael Tremblay, an acclaimed sake expert, will guide attendees through the subtleties of Japanese sake, illuminating its growing popularity in sommelier circles worldwide.
  • Fine Wines of Vinho Verde DOC – Presented by Sarah Ahmed, this masterclass reveals the evolution of Vinho Verde wines, celebrating their recent innovations and versatility.
  • Château Phélan Ségur – Hosted by Fabrice Bacquey, Maître de Chai, this tasting session promises to engage sommeliers with the rich heritage and craftsmanship of Bordeaux wines.

The 41 candidates of the ASI Contest Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa and Middle East 2024

 

With each tasting and training session, the ASI contest nurtures a spirit of unity and shared passion. The connections forged here reflect the commitment of sommeliers globally to elevate their craft and embrace the diversity of their profession, demonstrating that excellence in sommellerie transcends borders and backgrounds.

With the quarterfinal round behind them, the competitors, national presidents, judges and press gathered today at Corso Ancora restaurant overlooking the Belgrade’s Salva River for dinner and the announcement of the semi-finalists.  The pivotal moment, celebrated over fine and delicious food from the celebrated restaurant marks not just a personal achievement for those advancing but a collective milestone for all participants.

ASI extends its warmest congratulations to the semi-finalists, and all competitors, as well gratitude to the Serbian Sommelier Association for their role in hosting this year’s event with exceptional hospitality.

The Semi-Finalists are:

Suvad Zlatic, Austria 
Antoine Lehebel, Belgium
Jonathan Gouveia, Denmark 
Mikk Parre, Estonia
Pascaline Lepeltier, France
Florian Richter, Germany 
Eleftherios Hanialidis, Greece
Francesco Cosci, Italy 
Martynas Pravilonis, Lithuania 
Lukas Wiegman, Netherlands 
Francesco Marzola, Norway 
Tomasz Żak, Poland 

The final of the contest will take place on the 15th of November at 14:00 CET.

Do not miss the announcement of the finalists and the livestream of the final on our YouTube channel - hit the ‘notify me’ button not to miss the final! https://www.youtube.com/@ASISomms