ASPI’s Best Italian Sommelier 2016

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