ASI welcomes world to Paris for 2023 Best Sommelier and WTA welcomes sommeliers to the Ambassador nomination

From 7th to 12th February 2023, the attention of the whole wine world has been drawn to 68 candidates representing 65 countries and competing for the title of the Best Sommelier of the World. With the increasingly global nature of the competition, ASI’s Contest Committee has worked hard to adapt testing to be more reflective of the diversity of sommellerie and the beverage world.

USDF (L’Union de la Sommellerie Française) President, and event organizer, Philippe Faure-Brac, who also joined WTA by nominating Le Bistrot du Sommelier for the Unique Program category, says of the final preparations, “it’s been a long journey to get here, but all the final details are now in place. We will be proud to showcase the competitors, their skills and knowledge, but also Paris, France and its gastronomic delights.”

As Robert Joseph, WTA Jury member for the second consecutive year, noted once, the new generation of aspiring Master Sommeliers and MWs are much more open to the world of media and communications than their older colleagues. In fact, some of the young somms, especially those who work in emerging wine markets, have crossed the line to become online influencers and ambassadors. 

WTA also keeps an eye on this tendency. Therefore, to support young professionals, in particular sommeliers, the WTA team invites them to join the Ambassador nomination. This year, the winner of the Ambassador of the Year category will be honoured with the Gérard Basset Prize “Ambassador of the Year”. Thanks to our partnership with the Gérard Basset Foundation and to the personal consent of Monsieur Basset’s family – Nina Basset, WTA judge, and her son Romane Basset, this special prize in honor of a professional of the highest level and a Man with a capital letter – Gérard Basset – became possible.

Gérard Basset was a one of the most experienced and award-winning wine experts in the world, and a holder of the title of Master Sommelier (1989). The winner of the Gérard Basse Prize “Ambassador of the Year” will receive a reward of 1,000 euros (or an educational course in the equivalent). Although, probably, everyone understands that the most valuable thing is the chance to become a laureate of an honorary award bearing the name of this Great Man.

To become a WTA nominee, fill in the registration form. The application deadline is 28 February.

Photo: ASI – Association de la Sommellerie Internationale