Certification from Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) gives sommeliers the opportunity to be recognised worldwide as having a high level of knowledge and skills. Newly ASI certified sommeliers will become part of an elite group of international sommeliers (only 195 to date), many of whom are the winners of continental and world contests!
Created to help standardise the level of sommeliers internationally, the ASI Certification is a valuable asset for a sommelier’s CV, allowing “ASI Sommeliers” to work worldwide with proof of their excellence.
On Monday 4 March, Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), in association with Sommeliers Australia, will again offer the ‘International ASI Sommelier Diploma’ certification exam to local sommeliers. The 2019 ASI Certification exam will be offered in both Melbourne and Sydney, and is a major opportunity for sommeliers in Australia to gain international accreditation.
The exam will be run by Sommeliers Australia, and gives Sommeliers Australia ‘Sommelier’ members the opportunity to achieve an internationally recognised standard of sommellerie.
The ‘International ASI Sommelier Diploma’ certification exam has been created to help:
- Develop the Sommelier profession;
- Enhance the quality of Sommeliers worldwide;
- Establish international standards for Sommeliers.
Applicants must be working Sommeliers (in restaurants, wine bars, wine retail, distribution, etc), with at least 4 years sommelier experience.
The exam is made up of two stages:
Stage 1 – Written exam
Stage 2 – Oral and practical tests
Stage 1 – Written exam (Total time 2.5 hours)
- Blind tasting of 2 wines, with written commentary (20 min)
- Identification of 3 spirits/liquor/fortified and 2 local beverages (10 min)
- Questionnaire focussing on the main wine producing countries; beer, spirits and other beverages; grape varieties; viticulture; winemaking; and other topics related to the sommelier profession (90 min)
- Essay of 400 words on a theme regarding the world of beverages and the art of ‘sommellerie’ (30 min)
Stage 2 – Oral and practical tests (Each candidate is allocated 19 minutes)
- Selling a beverage: present, demonstrate and justify the choice of a beverage (4 min)
- Decanting and serving: decant and serve a bottle of wine (7 min)
- Food and wine match: taste and explain a food and wine match (7 min)
POINTS TO NOTE:
- Candidates should be aware that ASI follows a classic and logical method of tasting, service, decanting, etc.
- As a guideline, it is suggested that in terms of knowledge/difficulty this exam sits between the Court of Master Sommeliers Advanced Sommelier Certificate and the Master Sommelier Certificate.
- A high level of personal presentation is also required by ASI. Please ensure that you attend the exam well presented (in uniform if appropriate to your workplace, or in business attire) and bring with you: your ID, black or blue pen(s), notebook, waiters friend, matches/lighter and a service napkin.
Examination fee
Each candidate will need to pay an Examination Fee of A$600 which covers their ASI registration and certification.
Candidates are also responsible for their own travel and associated costs to attend the exam in their selected city (Melbourne or Sydney) on Monday 4 March.
Registration requirements
Due to the regulations of the exam, as specified by ASI, only 10 places are available in Melbourne and Sydney for fully financial ‘Sommelier’ members of Sommeliers Australia to apply for on a ‘first in gets a place’ basis.
- Applicants must be current financial ‘Sommelier’ members of Sommeliers Australia;
- Applicants must be working Sommeliers (in restaurants, wine bars, wine retail, distribution, etc), with at least 4 years sommelier experience;
- Applicants must submit the following documents with their registration:
- A current CV (including employment and relevant study);
- Copies of any education or work certificates
- A high resolution, passport-style photograph (for the production of the certification card)
- Registration must be submitted by 5pm, Tuesday 12 February for applicants to be considered.
- Examination fee must be paid in full by 5pm, Tuesday 12 February.
To register
To register your interest in sitting the certification exam please email [email protected] with your name and contact details, and attach copies of the required documentation (outlined above).
Applicants will be contacted to confirm acceptance, and asked to pay the examination fee if they have been successful.
