From November 11 to 15, 2024, Serbia will host one of the most important competitions in the world of sommeliers – the ASI Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa & Middle East 2024. Belgrade will be the venue for this prestigious event, where 41 sommeliers will compete for the title of the best in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
The Serbian Sommelier Association (SERSA), a member of the International Sommelier Association (ASI), is honoured to organize this event, which will be held in Serbia for the very first time. Thanks to exceptional preparations, Belgrade has been recognized as the ideal location for this competition, which will take place for the 16th time since its inception in 1988.
Over 200 guests are expected, including past European and world champions, wine experts, journalists, presidents of national sommelier associations, and holders of the prestigious Master of Wine and Master Sommelier titles. Visits to Serbian wineries and distilleries are also planned, allowing guests to enjoy an authentic experience of Serbian wine and rakija culture, creating unforgettable moments.
Representing Serbia with pride will be Vuk Vuletić, who placed 19th at the world competition in Belgium in 2019. His experience and dedication make him a worthy representative of our country, and we will all be cheering him on in his quest for the title of best sommelier at this prestigious competition.
The Serbian Sommelier Association, which recently celebrated 20 years of dedicated work in developing the sommelier profession, leads the organization of this prestigious event with the support of 40 volunteers from Europe, Japan, and South America.
The ASI Contest Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa & Middle East 2024 also serves as a prelude to the third edition of Wine Vision by Open Balkan, a wine fair that will take place in Belgrade from November 22 to 24, 2024.
The organization of this prestigious sommelier event is supported by the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Telekom Serbia, numerous Serbian winemakers and rakija producers, as well as renowned international partners, including the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), Austrian Wine Marketing Board, the French winery Chateau Phélan Ségur, wine regions Vinho Verde and Wines of Moldova, Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association (JSS), and companies like Stölzle, Perlage, Chateau Laguiole, and Graham’s. This support has provided a unique opportunity to promote Serbia as a wine destination and host to leading professionals in the sommelier world.
We invite you to follow this unique opportunity where Serbia will be inscribed in golden letters in the history of sommeliership. Don’t miss the contest finale, which will be available live on the ASI Somms YouTube channel.
For more details, please contact the Vice President of the Serbian Sommelier Association, Marija Radović at marija.radovic@sersa.org.rs.