The Association de la Sommellerie Internationale proudly concluded its recent ASI Bootcamp in Singapore, an intensive three-day educational experience that drew 42 aspiring sommeliers from across Asia & Pacific including first-time participation from India, ASI's most recent member in Asia. Held in collaboration with the Sommelier Association of Singapore, the Bootcamp served as a platform to elevate knowledge, refine tasting skills, and foster camaraderie among the next generation of wine professionals.
The programme featured an exceptional line-up of theory masterclasses from some of the industry’s most respected names, including ASI's own Exams and Education Committee Co-Director Sören Polonius, ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World 2019 champion Marc Almert, Reeze Choi (3rd place at the ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World 2023), Yuki Hirose MS, Richard Hemming MW, and David Hsiao.
Other key sessions included an exploration of the 2022 vintage of Côte de Beaune with Maison Champy and AdVini, presented by Jean-Pierre Durand and Dimitri Bazas; a look at glassware's shape impact with Bradley Knowles of Stoelzle Lausitz; a tour of Portuguese terroirs with Jorge Nunes from Symington Family Estates; a sake deep dive led by Sean Ou presented by Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association; a Vinhos Verdes showcase with Tiago Macena; a discovery of water and wine alliance with Tadeusz Kwacz from Perlage, and unveiling of diversity of Sonoma County Winegrowers, presented by Marc Almert.
After three days of intensive study, tasting exercises and dining events, the experience concluded with a celebratory Perlage Gala Dinner at Baia Restaurant.
“ASI extends our heartfelt thanks to the entire Sommelier Association of Singapore for their dedication, hospitality, and unwavering support in hosting this world-class event”, said ASI President William Wouters. “Our local hosts, not only put on a showcase of sommellerie, but they also showed the collaborative nature of their small but mighty sommelier association […]”.
This is the second time Asia has hosted the ASI Bootcamp, and the fifth iteration of the event. The next ASI Bootcamp will be hosted in the Americas, in 2026, concluding the second series of Bootcamps. Of the importance of Bootcamp, Wouters says “this Bootcamp, like all our Bootcamps, reflects our global mission to educate, inspire, and connect sommeliers around the world”.
Texte and photos: Association de la Sommellerie Intenrationale
The event took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from September 7 to 10, 2025.
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