GRAND OPENING IN CALIFORNIA

The first course in the U.S. taught by Italian Sommeliers awarded Sommelier degrees to its first graduating class.

“A Sommelier is a communicator of not only wine, but the culture and history behind the bottle.” With these words Terenzio Medri, President of the Association of  Italian Sommeliers opened the venue.

In 2006 the Association,  in conjunction with the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West organized the first Sommelier course in U.S. and, on October, 12th, the first 15 participants were awarded with certificates and tastevins and earned the title of Sommelier.

The course was sponsored by Southern Wine & Spirits and Winestreet llc and hosted at La Piazza Restaurant at The Grove in Los Angeles. The lessons, all the books and materials were in Italian and the instructors were professional well-known experienced Sommeliers who came directly from Italy for the purpose of teaching to this new generation of Italian-American students. Restaurant owners and managers, distributors, wine suppliers, waiters and cooking instructors were among the initiates who were fortunate enough to take the first six week course, and pass the exams.

Now steps are rapidly moving further and the entire course books are being translated into English. From 2007 classes will be taught in English and will take place in the following cities: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York and Miami.
Steve Slater, V.P. and General Manager for Southern Wine & Spirits of Southern California said: “Our responsibility is to educate industry professionals and restaurateurs and take them to the next level. It helps the import business and wine sales in general.”

This is exactly the purpose of the Association of Italian Sommeliers, to qualify the character and the profession of the Sommelier and to add value to the culture of the wine within the world of food&beverage as a whole.

A new, brilliant future is expecting the Association and its member in United States. Welcome!

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