Florian Richter in the semi-finals

BELGRADE. The semi-finalists have been announced in the "Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa and the Middle East 2024" competition organised by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), the global umbrella organisation for the sommelier industry. After an intense day of challenges in the quarter-finals, the candidates from Europe, Africa and the Middle East showcased their talents and in-depth knowledge of wine, beer, spirits and other beverages.

This year's competition attracted sommeliers from the southern tip of Africa to the far north of Europe, each representing the highest calibre of their profession. All 41 participants had to undergo a challenging quarter-final round that included a combination of service, tastings and written examinations. Olivier Poussier, Co-Chair of the ASI Sommeliers Contests Committee, says: "The calibre of our participants improves with each competition. Even more impressive is the quality of those who do not reach the semi-final and final rounds. The difference between the top participants and those who don't make it to the semi-finals is smaller than in the past. All participants should be praised for simply being here. Those who have reached the semi-finals can be reassured that even if they don't make it to the final, they have the necessary knowledge and skills. The difference between a finalist and a semi-finalist is now wafer-thin."

With the quarter-finals behind them, the contestants, national presidents, judges and press gathered today at the Corso Ancora restaurant overlooking the Salva River in Belgrade for dinner and the announcement of the semi-finalists. This defining moment, celebrated over fine and delicious food from the famous restaurant, is not only a personal achievement for those advancing, but also a shared milestone for all participants.

ASI warmly congratulates the semi-finalists and all participants and also thanks the Serbian Sommelier Association for their role in organising this year's event with exceptional hospitality.

The semi-finalists are:

• Suvad Zlatic, Austria
• Antoine Lehebel, Belgium
• Jonathan Gouveia, Denmark
• Mikk Parre, Estonia
• Pascaline Lepeltier, France
• Florian Richter, Germany
• Eleftherios Hanialidis, Greece
• Francesco Cosci, Italy
• Martynas Pravilonis, Lithuania
• Lukas Wiegman, Netherlands
• Francesco Marzola, Norway
• Tomasz Żak, Poland

During the event, delegates, participants and guests also experienced a rich array of masterclasses exploring local and international beverages, from Serbian wines to Japanese sake, adding to the educational depth of this event. These sessions are carefully crafted to offer a wide range of flavours and insights to all attendees, fostering a spirit of learning and camaraderie.

Highlights included:

• Wine Treasures of Serbia - Led by renowned sommelier Tomislav Ivanović, this session explores the unique indigenous grape varieties of Serbia, allowing participants to discover rare wines that reflect the terroir and history of the region.
• Serbian Rakia - Heritage and Future - Dr Ivan Urošević will explore the past, present and future of Rakia, Serbia's traditional brandy, highlighting its craftsmanship and cultural significance.
• Perlage water and wine - guest lecturer Tadeusz Kwacz dives deep into a topic central to the sommelier profession.
• Japanese sake: A closer look at the sommelier's secret weapon - Michael Tremblay, a recognised sake expert, will guide participants through the intricacies of Japanese sake and shed light on its growing popularity in sommelier circles worldwide.
• Fine Wines from Vinho Verde DOC - Presented by Sarah Ahmed, this masterclass reveals the evolution of Vinho Verde wines and celebrates their recent innovations and versatility.
• Château Phélan Ségur - Hosted by Fabrice Bacquey, Maître de Chai, this tasting promises to introduce sommeliers to the rich heritage and craftsmanship of Bordeaux wines.
• With each tasting and training session, the ASI competition fosters a spirit of unity and shared passion. The connections forged here reflect the commitment of sommeliers worldwide to improve their craft and embrace the diversity of their profession, demonstrating that excellence in the art of sommeliering transcends borders and backgrounds.