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“SAI ensures industry is well-represented globally”
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Monday, 16 December, 2024, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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 Founded in 2024, the Sommeliers Association of India (SAI) is a leading non-profit organisation and member of the College of Applicants within the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI). SAI serves as a premier platform uniting sommeliers, wine, spirits, and hospitality experts with enthusiasts, creating a dynamic network for sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration.
Mattia Antonio Cianca, vice president of the Sommeliers Association of India, in an email interaction with F&B News spoke at length about SAI. Excerpts:
Brief us about SAI. Why it's needed and what is its role in the alco beverage industry?
The Sommeliers Association of India is a non-profit organisation representing India’s sommeliers and professionals in the food and beverage industry. It plays a crucial role in advancing the knowledge, standards, and appreciation of wine and other alcoholic and non-alcholic beverages across the country. By aligning with international standards and providing structured education and certification through our affiliation with the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), SAI ensures that the Indian wine and beverage industry is well-represented globally, bridging the gap between industry professionals and enthusiasts. SAI's mission is to elevate the quality and understanding of wine service, knowledge, and culture within India’s hospitality and tourism sectors.
The beverage industry in India has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with an increasing demand for diverse and high-quality alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Therefore, we believe that the education, exams, events and contests would play an important role in addressing this need and elevating the standards of the beverage industry.
What is the present status of the organisation? Tell us about its headquarters, membership details and benefits.
SAI headquarters are in Gurgaon, Haryana, however the current operations are in Mumbai, very soon spreading across other key cities in India. SAI is actively expanding its reach, creating a platform that unites wine and beverage professionals, enthusiasts, sommeliers and aspiring sommeliers across India through our online platform.
Memberships and the categories available: SAI offers memberships across several tiers, designed to include a broad range of people and businesses. Here’s a breakdown:
• Individual Memberships: For sommeliers, beverage professionals, and enthusiasts. - Sommelier Membership is for those directly working in wine service, with perks like exclusive tastings, events, and the ability to apply for ASI certifications and competitions.
- Professional Membership is broader, encompassing anyone in the beverage industry (like hospitality staff, chefs, and educators) who want to expand their career and knowledge.
- Enthusiast Membership is perfect for people who love wine and want to learn, without necessarily working in the industry.
• Company Memberships: Available for organisations with an interest in the industry.
- Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers allow companies of all sizes to support SAI’s mission. These memberships provide valuable exposure and help businesses actively participate in shaping the Indian wine community.
• Specialised Training: From introductory courses to advanced sommelier training. • Exclusive Industry Events: Invitations to tastings, masterclasses, and partner events. • Partner Benefits: Discounts on subscriptions, wine publications, and premium events from partners like Jancisrobinson.com, Jane Anson.com, GuildSomm, Sonal Holland Wine & Spirits Academy, Academy du Vin Library, Sommelier India Wine Magazine.
These, and many more benefits ensure our members stay at the forefront of the industry, enjoying privileges that support their growth, knowledge, and networking opportunities within India and internationally.
ASI certification: What importance does it hold?
ASI certification is a global standard of excellence for sommeliers, recognised and respected worldwide. This certification is an important benchmark for those seeking to establish themselves professionally in the wine industry. Through our affiliation with the ASI, SAI offers ASI Certification 1, 2 and Diploma, which align Indian sommeliers with global standards.
The certification programme covers critical areas such as advanced wine knowledge, sensory evaluation, and service proficiency, preparing sommeliers for top-tier roles in restaurants, hotels, and wine-related ventures. Holding ASI Certification signals an individual’s dedication to the highest level of expertise, which is essential in today’s competitive hospitality market.
By offering access to ASI activities, SAI ensures that Indian sommeliers can achieve international recognition, making it an invaluable opportunity for career advancement. For both aspiring and established sommeliers, this certification adds unparalleled credibility and career potential.
Tell us about the education and learning programmes offered by SAI. How they can be approached?
Whilst SAI encourages all the existing internationally-recognised education providers, such as WSET and CMS, it remains the only institution which is able to offer the ASI certifications and Diploma in India.
ASI Certification Level 1:
This certification has been prepared mainly for students of hotel schools/colleges and service staff who intend to start a course of improvement in our sector. It aims to cover the broad general knowledge necessary for a young person to feel comfortable as an assistant sommelier with international clients.
ASI Certification Level 2:
This certification is aimed at those who have already been in the profession for some years and who are able to hold the responsibility of head sommelier.
ASI Diploma:
The ASI Sommelier Diploma is reserved for members of the sommelier community who achieve “a high standard of service together with a deep knowledge of world food and wine; of the management of the beverage sector and of the culture of the vine and wine”, transforming their work into art.
Alongside ASI certifications, SAI is dedicated to ongoing professional development through specialised courses, workshops, webinars, masterclasses and scholarships. These programmes will be tailored to offer comprehensive training in core sommelier skills, including wine tasting, food pairing, oenology, and communication. Our objective is to cultivate a skilled community of sommeliers who are knowledgeable about the latest industry trends and ready to meet international standards. In doing so, we aim to strengthen India’s reputation in the global wine landscape.
Tell us about the Best Sommelier of India 2025 competition.
The 2025 SAI Best Sommelier of India Competition is SAI’s flagship event, celebrating the finest sommeliers in the country. This competition serves as a benchmark for excellence, testing contestants on a wide range of competencies, including advanced wine knowledge, tasting acumen, and exceptional service skills. The exam not only features wine knowledge but also beverages like spirits, beer, sake, tea, coffee and water.
Open to SAI Sommelier members, the competition features multiple rounds of evaluation, challenging contestants in areas such as theoretical knowledge, blind tastings, cocktail making, beverage pairings, and service execution. The competition is more than just a title; it is a foundation for a bright future and new opportunities. Winners not only gain national recognition but also earn opportunities to represent India in international competitions, starting with the 2025 ASI Contest Best Sommelier of Asia & Pacific, Malaysia, and furthermore, the 2026 ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World, Portugal, giving them exposure to global wine standards and practices, and to meet the best in the world.
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