Masterclass: opportunities for wine education
South African Sommeliers Association (SASA) is launching a series of members-only sommelier masterclasses this year and kicking off on 24 February at 10h00 in The Wine Library at Cape Town’s Culture Wine Bar (103 Bree Street).
Join us as we go through the different wine certification routes, what they can do for you, and taste with the experts.
Speakers:
- SASA Chairperson Spencer Fondaumiere will present SASA Certifications.
- Jean-Vincent Ridon, owner of the Sommelier’s Academy, will cover the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) Introductory and Certified exams.
- Africa’s first Master Sommelier, Garreth Ferriera, will join us via Zoom to discuss what it takes to become a Master Sommelier (CMS)
- Cathy Marston, head of the International Wine Education Centre (IWEC) and Level 2 Master of Wine candidate, will be discussing all things Wine Spirit Education Trust (WSET)
- SASA head of operations, Erica Taylor, will talk about self-study certifications from the Wine Scholar Guild and Society of Wine Educators.
- Heidi Duminy, Principal and Cape Wine Master from Cape Wine Academy (CWA) will be discussing all the Cape Wine Academy Courses and offerings.
- Jonathan Steyn, convenor of the Business of Wine course at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) will cover Wine Business Practice & Education, Hospitality Leadership, and much more.
As we discuss each certification path's ins and outs, we will taste a red and white wine with each speaker to learn how to taste for each exam.
Seats are limited to 25 participants. To RSVP, please email info@sommeliers.org.za.
Date: 24 February 2023
Time: 10h00
Venue: The Wine Library, Culture Wine Bar, Cape Town
Cost: Free to all paid-up SASA Members, R400 for non-SASA members
To register, click HERE
ASI Diploma exam
The ASI Sommelier Diploma is reserved for members of the sommelier community who achieve a ‘high standard of service together with a deep knowledge of world food and wine, of the management of the beverage sector, and the culture of the vine and wine,’ transforming their work into art. Since 2012 only 427 candidates have passed the ASI Diploma Exam, and from those, only 16 candidates have achieved Gold Excellence in the exam. South Africa is proud to have three people join those who have passed the ASI Diploma Exam.
ASI Diploma exam will be held on 13 March 2023.
Cost: R 7500
Time: 8h00
Venue: ëlgr restaurant, 75 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001
Candidates can opt between taking the exam in a second language (French, English, or Spanish) or their native tongue. This language requirement, which is only present at the Diploma level, encourages sommeliers to master a language beyond their own.
Candidates who achieve at least 60% on the exam in a foreign language are awarded a Silver designation; those who achieve 70% earn Gold. A Bronze designation was added in 2019 for those who achieve the same level of expert knowledge but who are not fluent in a foreign language. Sommeliers who have obtained a Bronze or Silver diploma are always welcome to sit for the exam again and to try for Silver or Gold.
- To view the rules for the ASI Diploma Exam, click HERE.
- To view the competencies for the ASI Diploma Exam, click HERE.
- To register, click HERE.
SASA AGM 2023
You are hereby invited to the annual general meeting of the South African Sommeliers Association, taking place on 17 April 2023 at 10h00 via Zoom. All SASA members are welcome to attend.
To RSVP, please click HERE or contact our admin at info@sommeliers.org.za