MATTIA ANTONIO CIANCA IS THE BEST ASPI 2019 SOMMELIER
SOMMELIER MATTIA ANTONIO CIANCA TRIUMPHS IN THE 2019 EDITION OF THE MOST IMPORTANT NATIONAL COMPETITION ORGANIZED BY ASPI – ASSOCIAZIONE SOMMELLERIEPROFESSIONALE ITALIANA
Milan, 15 October 2019 – Mattia Antonio Cianca is the Best Sommelier of Italy ASPI 2019, proclaimed yesterday evening in Milan at the end of the most prestigious national competition of ASPI – Association of the Italian Professional Sommellerie, the only Italian association member of ASI – Association de la Sommellerie Internationale.
Born in Rome, Mattia Antonio Cianca lived and worked in Melbourne, where he expanded his studies, started his Sommelier career and won the title of Best Sommelier of Australia in 2017. Returned to Italy earlier this year, he is currently Sommelier at Alexander Il Gusto Antico in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
In the semi-finals of Sunday 13 October, Cianca emerged among the 7 professional sommeliers candidates for the title, entering the finals on Monday 14, at the Istituto Carlo Porta, with Salvatore Castano, Sommelier at the Annabel’s restaurant in London, and Michele Fazari, Sommelier at the Four Seasons Hotel at Ten Trinity Square, London.
The candidates challenged each other in the classic and the surprise tests designed by ASPI to assess their competence and technical preparation, the ability to decide quickly and the dexterity of execution. The winner was chosen by an international jury, composed of ASPI President Giuseppe Vaccarini and the Presidents of the European Sommellerie Associations, the winners of the last editions of the competition and sector journalists, with the participation of William Wouters, President of the sommelier association of Belgium, and Franko Lukez, President of the Sommeliers of Croatia, representing ASI.
«On behalf of all the members of our Association, I congratulate Mattia Antonio Cianca, who has been able to demonstrate that he has not only great skills and knowledge, but also those personal qualities that characterize only the best professionals – comments Giuseppe Vaccarini, President of ASPI . Our compliments also go to the other 6 candidates of this edition of the Competition, all highly talented and competent sommeliers, who well represent the high level achieved by the Italian professional sommellerie “.
In addition, Salvatore Castano, 29, from Giardini Naxos (Taormina), Sommelier at Annabel’s in London, was awarded the “Birra Moretti Foundation Prize for the enhancement of beer at the table”, for showing the most in-depth knowledge of beer and the ability to serve and match it best. Alfredo Pratolongo, President of the Birra Moretti Foundation, commented: “Beer is one of the most distinctive elements of the evolution of the sommelier figure. In the past this drink has been neglected, but today several sommeliers have started to create pairing paths in which beers are offered alongside wine to best enhance innovative dishes and flavours or rediscover specialties of our tradition. Behind the administration of a beer at the bar or restaurant there is a professional who is able to enhance the product to its fullest potential, who knows how to tell the customer about it, recommend combinations, plan the purchase of stocks. At a time when curiosity also grows for special beers, the sommelier is the ideal way to convey the beer culture to customers, guiding them towards more informed and therefore better choices, in the sign of a beer consumption linked to quality and pleasure of the table ».
Finally, a special ASPI’s thanks go to the excellent beverage, catering and hospitality sectors partners that collaborate in numerous initiatives of the Italian Professional Sommellerie Association in Italy and abroad: Campari Group, Euro- Toques, Birra Moretti Foundation, Fresh, Le Soste, Nespresso, Champagne JH Quenardel, Rastal, Relais& Châteaux, S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, Tenuta Mara.
Sommelier, two Milanese Davide Dargenio and Paolo Saccone on the podium in first and second place
Yesterday evening, at the Grand Visconti Palace in viale Isonzo and at the end of a marathon of classic and surprise tests, food / wine / drinks combinations and blind tastings of 3 wines with description in a foreign language, the judgment of the jury of experts chosen by Aspi (association of Professional Sommellerie) was lapidary:
Davide Dargenio is the “Best Sommelier of Italy 2018”, 28 year old of Apulian origin but raised in Milan and who studied and trained in Milan, exactly at the Carlo Porta Institute, before gaining experience and working in numerous starred restaurants in England (Bray and Oxford), France (in two prestigious places in Provence) and Switzerland (in Verbier and Montreaux) and then landed in Lausanne where he is currently employed as sommelier chef and trainer at Le Berceau des Sens, restaurant of the prestigious hotel school EHL from Lausanne.
And the victory was touched by another Milanese, Paolo Saccone, 33, who came in second place, who was born in the Lombard capital and where he also studied, he too at the “Carlo Porta”, with considerable experience gained between Paris and London, and currently serving as a Group Sommelier for the Dedes Group in Sydney, Australia.
While third place went to Salvatore Castano, chief sommelier at the Mash restaurant in London, also in the shortlist of the “best of” out of the selection that on Saturday had seen twelve candidates, all Italian, but for the most part with rewarding roles in restaurants and hotels abroad.
Yesterday as well, the title of “best tasterby Onav” was awarded, Onav is the national organization of wine tasters: the award went to Marco Passarelli.
Another notable award went to the Tuscan Francesco Cosci: the “Fondazione Birra Moretti Award” was a showcase of the drink that is very popular among consumers and that has a strong performances in pairing with food.
GABRIELE DEL CARLO IS THE BEST SOMMELIER IN ITALY ASPI 2017
A fierce and spectacular final decreed the 2017 winner with a novelty in the Professional Sommellerie competitions: the tests included a chef / food / wine / drinks combination. The 2017 “Emotions” International Literary Prize was awarded to the Georgian sommelier Shalva Khetsuriani for the film “Prime Meridian of Wine” and the honorary Sommelier award was presented to Edoardo Raspelli, Cesare Pillon, Alfredo Pratolongo and the fashion entrepreneur Enzo Fusco.
Milan, 16 October 2017 – Gabriele Del Carlo is the Best Sommelier of Italy ASPI 2017. Toscano, born in 1984, sommelier at the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, he was awarded the coveted title in the final held on Sunday 15 October at Magna Pars Suites Hotel in Milan, in front of Davide Dargenio, sommelier of Le Berceau Des Senses, Ecole Hotelerie de Lausanne in Switzerland and Marco Grassi, sommelier of the Enoteca di Metro in Milan, respectively in second and third place in the Competition for the Best Sommelier in Italy ASPI 2017, which saw the participation of 13 Sommeliers.
At the final on Sunday 15 October, in front of a large audience of operators, enthusiasts and curious people – a tangible sign that the world of wine and beverages brings an ever-increasing number of foodies – the three finalists challenged each other in the classic tests and in specific surprise tests designed by ASPI to assess the preparation of candidates in situations which, says Giuseppe Vaccarini, ASPI President “require, in addition to technical preparation, ability to decide quickly, dexterity of execution and extreme competence”.
The three finalists have ventured into the classic tests with different situations that could occur in a restaurant room: service test of a large format of Champagne H.J. Quenardel, red wine decantation, blind tasting of three wines (one of which with a description in a foreign language), in addition to the recognition of ten drinks. Following food /wine / drinks combinations with an Atlantic cod dish that two finalists combined with Birra Moretti La Bianca and one with Birra Moretti Long Maturation, coffee tasting with recognition of the characteristics, origin, variety and level of roasting – in this edition Nepal Lamjung Nespresso and Tanzania Peaberry Nespresso – correction of the wine list with errors and finally photographic proof with 10 images to recognize and illustrate, including photos of wine labels – on the basis of which the candidates had to illustrate the composition of the wine – photos of well-known producers, oenologists, teachers and restaurateurs and photos of monuments referring to companies or locations linked to wine production.
The surprise test created by ASPI for the 2017 edition is new in a professional sommelier competition: the combination of each finalist with a different Chef. Each chef prepared a recipe – with a show cooking during the final of the competition – to which the associated finalist had to combine the drink that best enhanced the characteristics of the recipe itself.
The winner Del Carlo convinced the Jury by combining the Barolo Briccolina di Batasiolo with “Tribute to Antonio Nebbia”, a fluid tortello with porcini mushrooms, parmesan, ham and truffle by the Young Chef S.Pellegrino 2016 Alessandro Rapisarda, of the Di Gusto restaurant.
Valpolicella Ripasso di Zenato paired with the dish “Duck breast and thigh, rocket buttons, date vinegar and sea lettuce” by Silvestro Zanella, sous chef of Piccolo Lago was the choice of the second classified Dargenio, while the third classified Grassi associated with Davide Del Duca, chef of the Osteria Fernanda restaurant and winner of the Birra Moretti Grand Cru 2014 Award, has combined the recipe “Mackerel, foie gras royale, tamarind and burnt onion” both with Birra Moretti Grani Antichi and Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Villa Bucci.
Recipes of haute cuisine, complex and refined, which challenged the candidates and engaged the Jury of the Competition for the Best Sommelier in Italy, chaired by Giuseppe Vaccarini and composed by the Presidents of the European Sommellerie Associations, by the winners of the last editions of the Competition and by industry journalists
THE AWARDS OF ASPI
The tenth anniversary of ASPI’s activities was also the occasion to nominate ASPI Honorary Sommeliers and to confer the “Emotions” International Literary Prize.
Giuseppe Vaccarini presented the awards during the Gala Dinner, organized to celebrate with ASPI members and supporters, with plates created by chefs Viviana Varese, Alessandro Rapisarda, Marco Sacco, Claudio Sadler and Giuseppe Postorino as interpreters of unique and creative dishes.
HONORARY SOMMELIERS ASPI 2017
Giuseppe Vaccarini has attributed the title of “Honorary Sommelier ASPI 2017” to ten personalities of the food and wine sectors. They are connected by deep friendship and respect and have been supporters of ASPI in the international arena over the years.
Appointed Honorary Sommeliers and motivations
Enzo Fusco “Brilliant and innovative entrepreneur in the field of Italian fashion and prestigious brands known all over the world, he has been able to expand his knowledge and passions to food and wine. For these reasons, for several years Enzo Fusco has approached sommeliers and ASPI because he was attracted by the art of tasting and pairing, also becoming a wine producer and refined gourmet “.
Cesare Pillon “Authentic journalist, passionate about his work, intellectually independent, he is esteemed by those who appreciate a sincere and objective review because it stimulates reflection and improvement. He has witnessed many events involving the national sommellerie while maintaining a critical but sincere attitude. ASPI is grateful to him.”
Alfredo Pratolongo “For the important contribution in the dissemination of beer culture, in the world of high end catering, promoted by the Birra Moretti Foundation, where Alfredo Pratolongo holds the role of President.”
EdoardoRaspelli “Passionate about wines and cuisine, EdoardoRaspelli had started collaborating with sommeliers and writing about catering in 1975, publishing a dictionary dedicated to sommeliers, the “Tuttovino”. From then on, his career has been a professional crescendo since in all of his articles he has always fought the mediocrity of Italian’s restaurant industry and objectively valued those who actually deserved recognition, including, of course, the sommeliers “.
Piero Tenca “Characterized by a natural diplomatic savoir faire and strengthened by an extraordinary and rare professionalism, for some decades Piero Tenca is the reference for the new generations of sommeliers in Switzerland, thanks to choices that have determined the development of Swiss sommellerie in the federal and international field”.
ASPI, the only Italian association recognized internationally by A.S.I., allows its sommeliers winners of the ASPI Best Sommelier of Italy title to participate in European and world competitions. Many relationships have been established over the years and have led Giuseppe Vaccarini to confer the title of “Honorary Sommelier ASPI 2017” also to friends and colleagues Presidents of the Associations of foreign Sommeliers associated with ASPI: Andreas Matthidis Aiws (Greece), Dashamir Elezi (Albania), Shalva Khetsuriani (Georgia), Clément Vachon (France), Beáta Vinková (Slovakia).
The “Emotions” Award was established in 2013 by Giuseppe Vaccarini to reward sommeliers from all over the world who, through their intellectual and communication work, have strongly contributed to enhance and promote the profession of Sommelier through the publication of books, articles editorial, reportage and videos, in theirown country and abroad.
The “Emozioni” 2017 international prize was awarded to the Georgian sommelier Shalva Khetsuriani for making the film “Prime Meridian of Wine”, in which he rediscovered the values of the millenary winemaking tradition of his country, stimulating the interest of young people, resulting a reference point for future generations.
The jury, chaired by Piero Sattanino, Best Sommelier in the World A.S.I. – Association de la Sommellerie Internationale – in 1971, was composed by the journalists Fernanda Roggero of Il Sole 24 Ore, and Alberto Schieppati, Director of the magazine Artù.
The prize consists in the work “Heart” by Maestro Enrico Muscetra who, through his sculptures, focuses on the effects of spirituality.
A big thank you to Acqua Panna-S.Pellegrino, Allegrini, Campari, Champagne JH Quenardel, Fondazione Birra Moretti and Nespresso for supporting ASPI, on the occasion of these celebrations as well as during the annual ASPI activity, with the exclusive training Masterclasses for Sommeliers and operators in the guest sector of ASPI.
We also thank the companies that support ASPI’s activities by providing technologies related to the wine world and specific know-how on different products.
Rastal supplied all the sinuous and functional glasses for the ASPI Decennial and on this occasion presented an absolute novelty, and Fresh the new bucket that keeps the wine at the desired temperature and the bottle dry. Winefit is the innovative dispenser used by ASPI to optimize the service by the glass while preserving the wine in the best conditions. IP, an industry specializing in refrigerated cabinets for storing and serving wine, supported ASPI for this event with its range of technological products, Tenuta Mara, a partner of ASPI for many years, was present with its wines at the Banco d’Assaggio (Tasting stand) and the 10-year activities and CIFA, leader in hotel supplies, participated with equipment and dishes. ASPI’s activity is also supported by the main associations of haute cuisine chefs, such as Le Soste and Euro-Toques, which promote meetings and discussions between the protagonists of Italian and world gastronomic culture.
Lastly, we would like to thank the Consorzio Tutela Vini dell’Oltrepò Pavese which on Monday 16 October, at the end of the celebrations, hosted all 13 semi-finalists and foreign guests of ASPI for a tour of the local vineyards.
Konstantinos Stavroulakis is the 2016 ASPI Best Sommelier in Italy
Konstantinos Stavroulakis won the prestigious ASPI Best Sommelier of Italy 2016 title.
Konstantinos, 43 years old, of Greek origin, has lived and worked in Italy for years and now holds the role of sommelier at the Japanese restaurant Sushi B, in the heart of Milan.
The final, held on Sunday 6 November at Villa Eubea, in Pozzuoli, saw protagonists together with Konstantinos, Giacomo Morlacchi second classified, and Davide Dargenio, bronze medal.
In this edition, a new surprise test has challenged the 3 finalists. The sommeliers had to deal with the service of a bottle of sparkling wine, in 12 glasses. So far nothing complicated, apparently. In reality, the sommeliers had to carry out the service, without the possibility of returning to the glasses where the sparkling wine had already been poured and they had to fill the 12 glasses exhausting completely the bottle. The bottle content should have been split equally among the 12 glasses.
Final tests every year see some new additions, beyond the now classic settling tests, blind tasting and foreign language test, recognition of liqueurs and spirits, service and tasting of a beer and coffee tasting.
The second place, Giacomo Morlacchi, 28, from Milan, is currently a sommelier at the Enrico Bartolini Mudec restaurant 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 returned to his city a couple of years ago.
Third place, Davide Dargenio, sommelier at the Ecole Hôtellière in Lausanne, Le Berceau des Sens. Davide, in his second participation in the competition, was able to gain a place in the final.
Also this year, Birra Moretti has chosen to reward the sommelier who best approaches the world of beer, its presentation and tasting. In the semifinal, the candidates were called to carry out a written tasting of Birra Moretti Long Maturation, while the three finalists created, in their opinion, the best combination between a Pecorino di Pienza 24 months and one chosen from the beers of the Selection Reserve, Long Maturation, Grand Cru and Ancient Grains. The new Best Sommelier in Italy, Kostantinos, won the Birra Moretti Award.
The tests were administered, together with the President Giuseppe Vaccarini, by Gennaro Buono, Best Sommelier of Italy 2012 and candidate for the next competition for the Best Sommelier in Europe ASI, as Head of ASPI Competitions, as well as by Rudy Rinaldi Coordinator ASPI Puglia and Daniele Arcangeli, Best Sommelier of Italy 2015.
Along with the three finalists, the semi-finalists Giovanni Articolare (JK Palace, Capri), Silvio Galvan (El Molin, Cavalese), Chiara Martino (Capri Palace, Capri) and Davide Vaccarini (ARVI SA, Melano, Switzerland) a mention in strict alphabetical order.
During this final there were particularly significant moments such as the appointment of two Honorary Sommeliers. They are Alessandro Torcoli, director of the magazine Civiltà del Bere, and Pasquale Di Lena, director of the Italian Enoteca of Siena for years.
The Jury of the Competition was of the highest profile: Giuseppe Vaccarini, President of the Jury and Best Sommelier of the World A.S.I. (1978), Piero Sattanino, Best Sommelier in the World (1971), Alessandro Torcoli, director of the magazine Civiltà del Bere and newly appointed Honorary Sommelier ASPI, Pasquale Di Lena, newly appointed Honorary Sommelier ASPI, Mario Cucci, representative of the association Le Soste , partner of ASPI, Paolo Merlin, sommelier and Corporate Relations & Beer / Wine Business Developer CR Department for Heineken Italia, Riccardo Zola Regional HORECA Representative Nespresso, Mara Ferri di Rastal, the winemaker Fabrizio Scotto di Vetta, Gerardo Vernazzaro, winemaker and President of the Consortium for the Protection of Campi Flegrei, Ischia and Capri Wines, Claudia Moriondo, Marco Larentis and Nino Pappalettera ASPI Councilors, Laura Cecchini, ASPI sommelier and ASPI Romagna coordinator.
Special thanks go to Giuliano Mallardo, director of the courses, to all the students, master cupbearers and sommeliers as well as to Ciro Laringe, coordinator of ASPI Campania, for the great effort made in organizing this event and to all the sponsors who have collaborated, from the local ones, Villa Eubea, Montesolae, Union Security, GustosEccellenze, Consortium for the Protection of Campi Flegrei Wines, Ischia and Capri, Abraxas, Fresh. Luxor, Ricoh, Delse, Rosano Dairy, Astroni and Santa Winery, Az. Agr. Piscina Mirabile, Petrone Dolce &Salato Casatié, Vivese, I Giardini di Bacco, Club Amici del Toscano, Grappa Nonino, up to the ever-present ASPI partners who regularly and enthusiastically support the association’s initiatives: Birra Moretti, Campari , Nespresso, Rastal and Tenuta Mara.
Thanks also to the Hotel Villa Luisa and Il Gabbiano for their welcome.
This edition of the Competition, like the previous ones, has met with great public success, thanks also to the presence of a large group of students from the Hotel Institute of Castel Volturno (CE), who attended thanks to the collaboration of the School Manager, and were accompanied by two teachers. Having the opportunity to participate in events like this is of great importance for a young man who tries to set up his profession, acquiring new interests
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.
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.
Gennaro Buono, 28 year old Sommelier at the Hapimag Pentolina Resort in Chiusdino in the province of Siena, won the prestigious ASPI 2012 Best Sommelier of Italy title.
This fifth edition of the competition saw the presence of a jury of the highest level composed, among others, by Piero Sattanino, Best Sommelier in the World (1971), Giorgio Grai, internationally renowned winemaker, by the President of the newly formed Association Maroquine des Sommeliers, Michele Chantome, by Karina Tholin, President of the Foreningen Sommelier association of Sweden, by Dashamir Elezi, President of the Sommelier Association of Albania, and Kostas Touloumtzis, President emeritus of ASI, Association de la Sommellerie Internationale, of which ASPI is the representative for Italy.
The last tests of the competition took place on Saturday 22 September at the Civic Gallery of Termoli. Gennaro Buono faced in the final in various tasting tests, settling, food-wine pairing, wine list correction, table service, dialectic demonstration in a foreign language, valid competitors as Salvatore Salerno, Sommelier at the “Des Berges” restaurant of the Four Seasons Hotel in Geneva, second place, and Giacomo Morlacchi, Sommelier at the “Il Vino” restaurant in Courchevel, third place.
The “Tintilia Grand Prix and Autochthonous Vines” has been included in the Best Sommelier of Italy competition. The winner is Antonio Garofolin, Sommelier and technical-practical teacher at the Hotel Institute of Rovereto, while the Best Taster award went to Gennaro Buono.
This competition has shown, once again, great preparation of by the candidates. That demonstrates that this profession does not stop to promote professional knowledge and skills as well as to create that special credibility that distinguishes ASPI.
Therefore, the appointment is for next year with the Best Sommelier of Italy Competition which will be joined in September by the prestigious Best Sommelier of Europe Competition, both will take place in the city of Sanremo. The organization of the event is entrusted to ASPI, on an international mandate by A.S.I., and includes an interesting program which will be available on the website www.mse2013.eu, online in a few days.
In the photo, from left: Giacomo Morlacchi, Gennaro Buono and Salvatore Salerno.
Matteo Ghiringhelli, Milanese Chef Sommelier at “Il Vino” in Paris, is the new ASPI Best Sommelier in Italy and candidate for Italy in the next competition “Meilleur Sommelier d ‘Europe 2010 ASI” to be held in Strasbourg in November.
Ghiringhelli, born in 1986, was proclaimed winner at approximately 7pm by ASPI President Giuseppe Vaccarini, by the Director of the Oltrepò Pavese Wine Protection Consortium Carlo Alberto Panont and by Milena Guerci, Councilor of the Municipality of Casteggio, who sponsored the Competition at the third lucky edition, at the splendid headquarters of the Certosa Cantù, also the location of the Oltrevini event.
The award ceremony took place in the presence of the producers sponsor of the event and standard bearer of the local oenology: Giorgi, La Versa, Caseo, as well as the members of the Jury who judged and assisted the various candidates for the whole day. Only three candidates reached the final, held in the afternoon in front of a careful and lively audience of amateurs, professionals, and operators in the sector.
The final tests showed the skills and competence that the modern Sommelier must have in order to be considered an ambassador of typical Italian wine and hospitality. And to demonstrate this Ghiringhelli had to face the valid Giovanni Curcio (second place), Sommelier at “Il Pagliaccio” (two stars restaurant) in the various stages of tasting, decanting, pairing, wine list correction, table service, cigar suggestion and dialectic demonstration in a foreign language”, and Gennaro Buono (placed third), Sommelier at the” L’Olivo “restaurant of the Capri Palace Hotel on the Neapolitan island of the same name, also with two prestigious stars.
Fabio Masi graduated as the best Professional Sommelier in Italy.
Fabio Masi, 26 years old from Milan, won the prize as Best Professional Sommelier in Italy in the competition organized by ASPI, defeating in the finalMarco Grassi, Sommelier at the Metro of Cinisello Balsamo and Federico Aldrovandi, who works not only as a sommelier professional, but also as a wine consultant.
Fabio is currently the restaurant director of the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva and has behind him a professional history of great value that took place from the beginning in starred restaurants from the Waterside Inn of Bray to Le V of the Four Seasons in Paris, from Daniel of New York at the Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence.
Fabio’s curriculum also includes participation in national and international competitions: in 2006 Fabio won the Trophée Ruinart “Best Sommelier in Italy” and in the same year he positioned himself among the finalists of the Trophée Ruinart “Best Sommelier in Europe”, and lastly he was among the semi-finalists of the XII Concours Mondial “Best Sommelier of the World 2007”. A path of excellence that led him to win the Aspi 2009 competition and now Fabio Masi will be able to represent Italy in the Competition for the “Best Sommelier in the World” organized by ASI (Association de la Sommellerie Internationale) scheduled for 2010 in Santiago of Chile.
The prestigious Aspi Competition for the Best Sommelier in Italy took place on 10-11 May with the patronage of the municipality of GualdoTadino (Pg) in the splendid setting of the Borgo Hotel Terre del Verde. The competition was attended by 7 competitors carefully selected among the many Italians who actually operate in the professional field of Sommellerie both in Italy and abroad. The candidates underwent several tests including a written test and practical tests.
The final test took place in the presence of the public and the press. The three finalists had to illustrate three wines tasted blindly, recognize 12 products (including spirits, liqueurs, etc.), correct the errors contained in a wine list, match wines and alternative drinks to a menu in a foreign language and conclude with a test of decantation, as well as showing that they are able to manage the ‘difficult situations’ that can occur in a restaurant room with mastery of savoir faire.
The presentation to the public of the competition was made pleasant and fun by the presence of comedian Max Pisu, who lent himself to be the ‘conductor’ of the event together with Giuseppe Vaccarini.
Fabio Miccoli of the “Schlosshotelim Grunewald” restaurant in Berlin is the Best Professional Sommelier ASPI 2008.
He participated in 2008 in the ASI Competition for the Best Sommelier in Europe in Sofia in Bulgaria, ranking in the semifinal.
