ASI, a non-profit making organisation, was founded in Reims (France) on the 3 - 4 June 1969, and has the following aims:

• bring together the national sommellerie associations (just one member association per country) and to promote their founding where they do not yet exist,
• co-ordinate actions aimed at developing and advancing the profession by various means (training courses, etc.)
• enhance the sommelier's profession by educating the consumer,
• defend the ethics of the profession.

ASI participates in all events related to wine, spirits and other drinks, and is able to take any action directly or indirectly aimed at its objectives defined above.

The ASI legal Headquarters are located in Paris (France) and is administered by the member country holding the presidency for a three-year period. The Council comprises of the President, a General Secretary, helped by an assistant Secretary, a Treasurer and an assistant Treasurer, as well as the Presidents of each national member association or their elected representatives.

Today ASI has 45 member and 9 observer countries and is an active participant in the development, organisation and recognition of the sommelier profession, training and competitions are its main activities.

The following committees operate within ASI with an advisory role.