ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026 · Lisbon, Portugal
ASI Education & Certification
Your Path to Sommellerie
Four Levels. One global standard
Certfication Pathway
History and eligibility
The ASI Diploma was created in 2012 to promote the overall education, know-how and well-being of sommeliers and harmonize their level worldwide.
To date, 614 sommeliers have passed the Diploma, becoming ASI Dip Sommeliers and marking themselves as part of the elite of international sommellerie.
The ASI Certification 1 and ASI Certification 2 exams were launched in 2021. They are open to sommeliers or future / aspiring sommeliers studying or working in the oeno-gastronomic world (restaurants, wine bars, wine merchants, distribution…) according to the official OIV definition.
The ASI Prep will be launched in 2026
01
Prep
The ASI Prep, primarily intended for students at schools and training centers for careers in the hotel and restaurant industry.
02
Level 1
ASI Certification 1 assesses whether a prospective sommelier has mastered the core international knowledge required for this profession.
03
Level 2
ASI Certification 2 tests whether candidates possess the set of skills required to practice the profession in an international environment.
04
Diploma
The ASI Diploma is offered in French, English or Spanish, and leads to three levels of qualification: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
ASI Bootcamps
Learn From The World´s Best Sommeliers.
ASI launched its first ever intensive training camp for sommeliers called Bootcamp by ASI in 2021. The event took place in Warsaw, Poland and welcomed 44 sommeliers from Europe and Africa.
- WThe Masterclasses are prepared and hosted by first class tutors and selected ASI partners.
- WSommeliers can apply through their respective national associations that are members of ASI.
Bootcamp has been such a great success that it has been decided to carry on with the project as an annual event: each year it will change the continent to give sommeliers access to this educational initiative worldwide.
ASI Bootcamp Europe & Africa (Poland)
September 19–22, 2021
Warsaw, Poland
ASI Bootcamp Asia & Oceania (Malaysia)
September 12–14, 2022
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ASI Bootcamp Americas (Ecuador)
October 29 – November 1, 2023
Quito, Ecuador
ASI Bootcamp Europe, Africa & Middle East (Spain)
September 22–26, 2024
Seville, Spain
ASI Bootcamp Asia & Pacific (Singapore)
July 1–4, 2025
Singapore
Exam Calendar
Four levels, four audiences
In response to demand from teachers at hotel schools, the Exams & Education Committee is launching an introductory level. Starting in 2026, the ASI Prep exam will give students at hotel schools and training centers the opportunity to discover the world of sommeliers and test their aptitude for this profession.
The four levels of the examination program are aimed at students and sommeliers at various stages:
* The ASI Prep allows young people to discover the profession of sommelier.
* The ASI Certification 1 tests the basic international knowledge of aspiring sommeliers.
* The ASI Certification 2 builds on these expectations and also tests the skills required of a sommelier in an international environment.
* The ASI Sommelier Diploma certifies the highest level of skills and knowledge required of international sommeliers.
The four levels build on each other, and while it is not mandatory to have acquired the entry level (ASI Prep) then the Certifications before the Diploma exam, it is highly recommended to follow this progression.
All ASI exams are outcome-based assessments.