Daniele Arcangeli won the prestigious title of Best Italian Sommelier ASPI 2015.
Daniele, 39, from Viareggio, currently a consultant, will soon begin a new work experience in St. Moritz as a sommelier in a renowned restaurant.
The final, held on Sunday 4 October at Campari Academy in Sesto San Giovanni, saw protagonists together with Daniele, Giacomo Morlacchi second classified, and Marco Grassi, bronze medal.
In this edition, a novelty by Campari, the curious “Spritz Prize”, has found space. For this test, all candidates were asked to present a revisited Spritz in the semifinal. The most appreciated novelty was presented by the very young Silvio Galvan, from Trentino, born in 1991, attended the Hotel Institute of Levico Terme. Building on an experience in Switzerland, at the Hotel Olden in Gstaad, he will soon return to Italy where he will start working as a sommelier in his beloved region.
Also this year, the Birra Moretti Prize “for the Creative Matching with Beer” was included in the Competition, which saw the sommelier Giacomo Morlacchi’s triumph.
To win this Award, the candidates had to face a test of service and pairing of a Moretti Grand Cru Beer in the semi-final. In the final, the three candidates had a tasting of other beers of the Moretti family, selected from the brand new “The Regionals”.
These two new tests show how the figure of the Sommelier is evolving, being no longer just wine attendant but a well-rounded professional, able to navigate the vast world of drinks.
The second place winner, Giacomo Morlacchi, 27, from Milan, at his third participation in the ASPI national competition, is currently a sommelier at the Hotel Mandarin Oriental in Milan. After several work experiences in England and France, alongside important figures, one above all Enrico Bernardo (Best Sommelier in the World A.S.I. 2004), he has returned to his city few months ago.
Third place, Marco Grassi, sommelier at Metro Cash & Carry in Cinisello Balsamo. Veteran of the ASPI competitions, Marco obtained the International Sommelier Diploma A.S.I. last year, and this is a prestigious title which requires great preparation and competence.
The tests were administered, together with the President Giuseppe Vaccarini, by Rudy Rinaldi ASPI Puglia Coordinator and by Gennaro Buono, Best Sommelier of Italy 2012, as ASPI Competitions Managers.
The Jury of this edition of the Competition was of the highest profile:
Giuseppe Vaccarini, President of Jury and Best Sommelier of the World A.S.I. (1978), Piero Sattanino, Best Sommelier in the World (1971), Franko Lukez, President of the Association of Croatian Sommeliers, Michele Rossetti, President of the Consortium for the Protection of Wines Oltrepò Pavese, Paolo Merlin, Commercial Manager Expo for Partesa – Heineken Italia, Matteo Ghiringhelli, Best Sommelier of Italy 2010, Alberto Piras, Best Sommelier of Italy 2011, Salvatore Salerno, Best Sommelier of Italy 2014, Nino Pappalettera, ASPI Executive Director, Antonio Garofolin, ASPI Trentino Coordinator, Davide Vaccarini head Sommelier and Ho .re.ca. sales of ARVI-SA, and last but not least Patrizia Beretta, Campari’s Media Trade & Special Event Manager, to whom ASPI sends special thanks, for the considerable support received, the great availability shown during the organization and during the competition as a precious judge of the “Spritz Prize”.
Campari has been a partner of ASPI for about three years.