Elite Sommeliers Gather in Serbia for Prestigious Title and Cultural Exchange
BELGRADE – The ASI Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa & Middle East competition has brought twelve of the most skilled sommeliers into the spotlight in Belgrade. After showcasing their talents in a challenging semi-final round on Wednesday, November 13, these competitors are set to vie for the prestigious title in Friday’s grand finale at the National Theatre. Representing countries from across Europe and beyond, these sommeliers are the elite from an original pool of 41 entrants, and each has proven their mettle through rigorous tests of knowledge, technical skill, and service precision.
The Finalists:
The twelve sommeliers advancing include:
- 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
The final event will be live-streamed on YouTube, offering enthusiasts worldwide the chance to witness top sommeliers compete for the ASI title.
A Week of Education and Celebration
Hosted by ASI in collaboration with the Serbian Sommelier Association (SERSA), the five-day program has gone beyond the competition to foster cultural exchange and celebrate the sommelier profession. Kicking off with a Serbian Wine & Gastronomy Welcome Salon, the week highlighted Belgrade’s local wines and culinary heritage. Delegates and contestants participated in educational masterclasses covering a range of topics: Japanese sake led by Michael Tremblay, Portuguese Vinho Verde presented by wine writer Sarah Ahmed, and the interplay between water and wine with Perlage’s Tadeusz Kwacz. Attendees also explored Serbian rakia in an insightful seminar by Dr. Ivan Urošević, gaining a deeper appreciation for Serbia’s unique spirit.
Competitors faced a tough quarterfinal round on Tuesday, with challenges designed to test every aspect of their sommelier skillset, including an exclusive masterclass on Serbian wine treasures hosted by Tomislav Ivanović, celebrating the native grape varieties of Serbia. The city of Belgrade welcomed ASI judges, members, and partners with a series of tours and culinary experiences, providing a well-rounded glimpse into Serbian hospitality.
ASI’s Upcoming Events
This year’s competition in Belgrade is the start of ASI’s global series. In February 2025, the ASI Best Sommelier of the Americas competition will take place in Sonoma, California, followed by the ASI Best Sommelier of Asia & Pacific in Kuala Lumpur in September 2025. The journey will culminate in the ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026, hosted in Lisbon, Portugal.
As Belgrade anticipates the thrilling final on Friday, the world’s wine aficionados are ready to celebrate the passion and expertise that these sommeliers bring to the industry.
