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For further information:
Maria Jordanova,
President of the Bulgarian Sommelier Association
and Marketing Coordinator of the A.S.I.
Sofia 1463, bld. “P. Evtimiy” 53b
E- mail
www.asibg-2008.com
www.sommellerie-internationale.com
www.visitbulgaria.net
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Thirty European countries had previously presented their best sommelier to compete for this title. Ten of them, representing Austria, Belgium, Italy, Finland, France, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey went through to the semi-finals. Sadly, the Bulgarian sommelier, Lyubomir Stoyanov, did not make it past the first round.
Showing their finest performances, three finalists contended in the final of the competition: Eric Zwiebel from France, Paolo Basso from Switzerland and Isa Bal from Turkey, who dedicated his award to the Balkans.
The theatre's stage was stylishly decorated to resemble a restaurant and contestants had to play a role, like actors in a play. Three tables with customers seated around them had to be served by each of the finalists. A subsequent test involved wines being served in transparent glasses, where the finalists had to identify the wines by analysing the visual aspect, aromas and taste. Another test was to identify ten spirits, five of which were presented in opaque glasses.
The award received by the winner, Isa Bal, was a replica of the gold phiale from Bulgaria's Golden Treasure of Panagyurishte and a rhyton from Belvedere. Bulgaria's Minister for culture permitted a copy of the phiale to be used for the trophy of the 2008“Europe’s Best Sommelier” competition.
Belvedere Bulgaria and the Katarzyna Estate, presented each of the three finalists with a bottle of wine whose label was specially designed for the A.S.I. competition. The finalists and all the candidates who took part in the competition signed their names on a white throne created for the event by Modeco International, Bourjois furniture collection.
Isa Bal, “Europe’s Best Sommelier” 2008, was awarded with a bottle of Shiraz made by Peter Lehmann Wines, Australia. The second runner-up was Paolo Basso; Eric Zweibel came third.
The General Assembly of the A.S.I. was held on 20th May at the Kempinski Hotel Zografski in Sofia. During this meeting the annual reports of the Association were discussed. It was also voted that the A.S.I.’s forthcoming meeting will be held in Russia, in November 20008 and the competition for the “World’s Best Sommelier” will take place in Chile in 2010.
The finalists were awarded with special presents from the following sponsors:
- VIVATEL, telecommunications company, offered bottles of wine
- Special selection of BANFI, offered gifts from ICS Yachting: wines of Terra Tangra – Bulgarian Wine Cellar; Peter Lehman Wines – Australia; Alsace wines – France.
In the evening, a Gala dinner reception was held at the Kempinski Hotel, with presentation by sommeliers of the following wines:
Champagne Moet & Chandon
2006, Pinot Grigio, DOC, Santa Margarita, Valdadige, Italy
2007, Muskat, Edoardo Miroglio Winary, Thracian Region, Bulgaria
2002, Riesling, AOC Alsace, Grand Creú Kitterlé, Domaines Schlumberger, France
2002, Riesling Cuvee, AOC, Frederic Emile, Maison Trimbach, Alsace, France
2006, Question Mark, Katarzyna Winery, Thracian Region, Bulgaria
2004, Barrua, IGT, Agricola Punica, Isola dei Nuraghi, Italy
Muscat of Alexandria, SAMOS, Vin Doux, Greece
Other partners: San Pellegrino, Aqua Panna water, Lindt Swiss Chocolate.
Transport facilities were organised throughout this A.S.I. event by the kind collaboration of Etap address, Vacancia and Malina Krastev and the Bulgarian Tourist Agency.
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