How to become a sommelier in Italy ?
Well, if you'd like to become a sommelier in Italy you have to get through three levels. There are three levels at the end of wich you have a test, the first and the second are easier than the third. At the end of the first and the second you'll be tested on what you have learnt through these first two levels with a little talk with teachers and you'll have to do a practical degustation test too. The third level ends with the most difficult exam, to get through this you have to study a lot ! Obviously the teachers, judging you, will keep present if you are doing this course to become a professional sommelier or if you have done that for pleasure...in the second instance it maybe easier ! If you are interested and you're from Italy, you can contact any of a.i.s registered offices near your city, periodically they organize a new first level so you can start when you want.
A.i.s is the abbreviation of "Associazione Italiana Sommelier", it is a not profit association. This association wants to give a professional approach to the wine world. A.i.s. was founded in Milan the 7 of July in 1965 at 18.30 in a notary office. The association was founded by the first four members : Gianfranco Botti, Jean Valenti, Leonardo Guerra and Ernesto Rossi. In only one year the a.i.s had 50 new member subscriptions. From 1994 the a.i.s association has a magazine : Today there are more than 13.000 members and the association grows quickly !
