| Italian Sommelier Association | |
| Type: | Non profit, Educational, Cultural |
| Vat Id: | IT 11526700155 |
| Registration Id: | 1494/176 9401rep. / 1245racc. |
| Founder: | Gianfranco Botti, Leonardo Guerra, Ernesto Rossi, Jean Valenti |
| Location: | Viale Monza, 9 - 20125 Milan, Italy |
| Key People: | Antonello Maietta, President |
| Area Served: | International |
| Affiliations: | Worldwide Sommelier Association |
Italian Sommelier Association, 'AIS' (Italian: Associazione Italiana Sommelier, sometimes also as known as English: Italian Association of Sommeliers) is an Italian non-profit organization founded in Milan on July 7, 1965, officially recognised and legally acknowledged by the Italian government on April 6, 1973,[1] with formal President of the Republic decree #539 in 1973. Its founding members were Prof. Gianfranco Botti, Jean Valenti, Leonardo Guerra (tax advisor) and Italian sommelier Ernesto Rossi.Italian Sommelier Association is part and founding member of the Worldwide Sommelier Association (WSA),[2] which is officially recognized across the world, wherever it is present with an affiliate.[1] AIS is one of the oldest and actually the largest sommelier association in the world.[1]
The aim of the Italian Sommelier Association, as stated in the third article of its charter, is to qualify sommelier’s role and profession, therefore adding value to wine, traditional specialties and gastronomy culture. Its aim is also to promote, even in the legislative branch, the introduction of its didactic approach in hospitality related schools, as well as to endorse the sommelier's professional role, international recognition and esteem.[3]
AIS features a main central office in Milan and many branches in each region of Italy which supervise all the local delegations which operate in almost any province throughout the country. Each branch features its president and delegates who promote local initiatives. Other than educational activity, Italian Sommelier Association organizes many food & beverage activities such as guided wine tastings, seminars, dinners, visits to vineyards and wineries and even cruises.[4] It is also host and main partner to many official professional wine evaluations, services, consultings and exhibitions[5] like, for example, Vinitaly.[6]
Diplomas & certificates issued by Italian Sommelier Association are officially recognized throughout the world, wherever WSA is present with an affiliate (United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Caribbean, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Slovenia, Russia, Latvia, Czech Republic, Denmark, San Marino, Scandinavia, Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Romania).[1] [7] Italian Sommelier Association exclusively teaches a three-level certified sommelier course[8] which leads to the achievement of an AIS Sommelier Diploma (Silver). A professional sommelier qualification leading to an AIS Professional Sommelier Diploma (Gold) may be issued after candidate's career assessment as it is only intended for sommeliers actually working in a Food & Beverage establishment.
Qualifications overview and curriculum:[9]