Konstantinos Stavroulakis won the prestigious title of the ASPI Best Sommelier of Italy 2016. Aged 43, of Greek origin, he has been living and working in Italy for many years and now is sommelier at the Japanese restaurant Sushi B in Milan.
The finals that took place on Sunday November 5th at Villa Eubea in Pozzuoli opposed Konstantinos, Giacomo Morlacchi who ranked second, and Davide Dargenio, bronze medal.
This edition surprised the three finalists with a new test. The sommeliers had to serve a sparkling wine in 12 flutes. Nothing difficult at first sight. But the candidates actually had to serve the entire bottle without returning to the glasses previously filled.
New tests added to the final stage that comprises the now standard tests of decanting, blind-tasting in a foreign language, the identification of liqueurs and spirits, serving, and tasting beer and coffee.
Ranking second, Milanese Giacomo Morlacchi, 28, currently works as sommelier at the restaurant Enrico Bartolini Mudec in Milan. After various professional experiences in England and France with some great personalities like Enrico Bernardo (A.S.I. Best Sommelier of the World 2004), he came back in his city two years ago.
Ranking third Davide Dargenio is sommelier at ‘Le Berceau des Sens’ the training restaurant of the hotel and catering business school of Lausanne. After his second participation in the contest Davide managed to reach the finals.
Placed under the aegis of Giuseppe Vaccarini, the contest was directed by Gennaro Buono, Best Sommelier of Italy 2012 and candidate at the next A.S.I. Contest of the Best Sommelier of Europe, in charge of the ASPI contests, helped by Rudy Rinaldi, coordinator ASPI Puglia, and Daniele Arcangeli, Best Sommelier of Italy 2015.
Beside the three finalists, the semi-finalists were, in alphabetic order: Giovanni Articulé (JK Palace, Capri), Silvio Galvan (El Molin, Cavalese), Chiara Martino (Capri Palace, Capri)—the first woman to participate in a national ASPI contest—and Davide Vaccarini (ARVI SU, Melano, Switzerland).
The finals did not lack special highlights such as the nomination of two Honorary Sommeliers: Alessandro Torcoli, director of the magazine ‘Civiltà del Bere’, and Pasquale Di Lena, director for many years of the Italian Wine Library of Sienna.
This edition of the contest relied on a top-notch jury: Giuseppe Vaccarini, president of the jury and Best Sommelier of the World 1978; Piero Sattanino, Best Sommelier of the World 1971; Alessandro Torcoli, director of the magazine ‘Civiltà del Bere’ and newly appointed ASPI Honorary Sommelier; Mario Cucci, representative of the association Le Soste, ASPI partner; Paolo Merlin, sommelier and Corporate Relations & Beer/Wine Business Developer CR Department for Heineken Italy; Riccardo Zola, HORECA regional representative of Nespresso; Mara Ferri di Rastal; enologist Fabrizio Scotto di Vetta; Gerardo Vernazzaro, enologist and president of the Syndicate of Campi Flegrei, Ischia and Capri wines; Claudia Moriondo, Marco Larentis and Nino Pappalettera, ASPI counsels; Laura Cecchini, ASPI sommelier and ASPI coordinator region Romagna.
Special thanks to Giuliano Mallardo, Ciro Laringe and all the guys of ASPI Campania for their commitment in the organization of this event, and to all the sponsors who collaborated: Villa Eubea, Montesolae, Union Security, GustosEccellenze, the syndicate of Campi Flegrei, Ischia and Capri wines, Abraxas, Fresh, Luxor, Ricoh, Delse, the cheese factory Rosano, the Astroni & Papa cellars, the farm Piscina Mirabile, Petrone Dolce&Salato Casatié, Vivese, The Gardens of Bacchus, Club of Toscano Friends, Grappa Nonino, Hotel Villa Luisa, Hotel Il Gabbiano, and finally, the loyal ASPI partners who consistently and enthusiastically support the association’s initiatives: Moretti Beers, Campari, Nespresso, Rastal and Tenuta Mara.
This edition of the contest, just like the previous ones, met great success among the public that included a group of students of the hotel and catering school of Castel Volturno, who came accompanied with two teachers thanks to their headmaster.
Having the opportunity to participate in such an event is important for the young who wish to integrate the profession as it can arouse new callings.
Taylor's is one of the most renowned producers with its serious vintages...
Six months after his election as the president of the UDSF, the MOF 2007 confirmed the dynamism of his board and various commissions. An overview of the first board meeting organized by the...
Created in January 2021 in homage to the great man that Gerard Basset was, ASI Best Sommelier of Europe 1996 and ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2010, the Gerard Basset Foundation...