At its General Assembly held in late May in Cape Town, South Africa, the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) once again reaffirmed its commitment to “unity, growth, and innovation for the global sommelier community”.
Founded in 1969, the association has now officially welcomed three new active member countries: Peru, Colombia, and Moldova. These new additions reflect ASI’s ongoing dedication to inclusion and to representing sommeliers around the world.
Kenya, for its part, has recently joined ASI’s College of Candidates— a significant milestone in the association’s ambition to expand into geographic areas where the sommelier profession is still in its early stages. Until now, Africa—represented within ASI by Michèle Chantôme, ASI Vice President for Africa and the Middle East—has only been embodied by Morocco, Mauritius, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Kenya’s entry marks a new path forward, paving the way for other emerging associations across the continent.
Photo: Alex Chris Photography
The Association de la Sommellerie Internationale proudly concluded its recent ASI Bootcamp in Singapore
The event took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from September 7 to 10, 2025.
The “Ruinart Sommelier Challenge” took place this May at Maison Ruinart.