SALVATORE SALERNO IS THE BEST SOMMELIER OF ITALY ASPI 2014

Salvatore Salerno, Sommelier at the Joel Robuchon ** Michelin restaurant of the Hotel Metropole in Monte-Carlo, won the prestigious title of Best Italian Sommelier ASPI 2014.
The final, held in Roncegno Terme, at the Higher Professional Training Institute, saw protagonists, together with Salvatore, Daniele Arcangeli (on the right of Salvatore Salerno), second place, and Marco Grassi (on the left), bronze medal.
The prestigious Birra Moretti Prize “for the Creative Matching with Beer”, in its first edition, saw the Sommelier Daniele Arcangeli’s triumph (in the photo is awarded by Piero Sattanino in the presence of Giorgio Grai and the school director Federico Samaden). To win this prize, the candidates had to face different tests both in the semi-final, and in the final on Sunday. In the semi-final, all the competitors underwent a beer test, with subsequent tasting of  two references from the Birra Moretti variety and, for each one, the Sommeliers were asked to suggest the best combinations. In the final phase, however, the candidates found themselves having to face a surprise test, the service of a Moretti Grand Cru Beer, simulating the situation at the restaurant, with diners at the table.

This Award is a demonstration of  how the figure of the Sommelier is evolving,   being no longer just a figure assigned to wines but a well-rounded professional, able to master the vast world of drinks. Birra Moretti, a company with over 150 years of history, embraced this line, sharing it and enhancing it, to give the right emphasis to a product, such as beer, increasingly present and appreciated both in combination and in food preparations.
Daniele Arcangeli, born in Viareggio, presents himself with a curriculum with important experiences in Italy and abroad, from Principe Forte dei Marmi (5 stars L), to Badrutt’s Palace in St. Moritz (5 stars L), Lido Palace of  Riva del Garda (5 stars L), to mention the most recent. He is currently a consultant sommelier for several restaurants in Tuscany.
Marco Grassi, third place, is Sommelier at Metro Italia. 2014 is an important year for Marco since, in February, he brilliantly passed the A.S.I. Exam for the recognition of Sommeliers in all Member States of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale. ASPI is, in Italy, the only member of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale and therefore the only Association to be recognized internationally.
The Jury of this edition of the Competition was once again of the highest profile: Marco Larentis, President of the Jury, Piero Sattanino, Best Sommelier in the World (1971), Giorgio Grai, internationally renowned winemaker, Ivan Persolja, President of the Association of Slovenian sommelier with a member of the board of directors Davorin Skarabot, Claudia Moriondo, food and wine expert, Giovanni Profumo, Director of Confcommercio Trentino, Loredana Camin, provincial councilor for education and training, Federico Samaden, director of the Institutes of  Rovereto and Levico Terme, Massimiliano Peterlana, restaurateur and President of  Fiepet, Giorgio Colli, journalist specializing in food and wine, Nino Pappalettera, head of the ASPI local coordinators and Niccolò Silini, restaurateur from Milan.
Special thanks should go to the students and teachers of the Hotel and Higher Education Institute of  Roncegno Terme for the great commitment and high level of professionalism shown.