The ASI Best Sommelier of Asia & Oceania 2022 contest finished this week with a thrilling semi-final and final round, in front of a live audience, at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo, Japan.
Unlike previous Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) contests, the semi-final and final round were held on the same day, creating an added layer of tension and excitement amongst the 24 competitors, from 13 countries, vying for the title.
ASI President William Wouters says of the competitors, “I have been really impressed by the talented candidates at this year’s contest. We spoke about the rise of sommellerie in Asia in our latest edition of ASI Magazine. I can honestly say this has been very evident at this competition. The overall quality of candidates is a step above the last Asia and Oceania contest we held just a few years ago. We can give a lot of credit to our local sommelier associations, and new educational opportunities such as the recently-held ASI Bootcamp in Malaysia. These combined efforts and experiences have provided local sommeliers insights, knowledge, and the confidence to compete on a global stage.”
The competitors competed first in a quarter-final round featuring blind tasting, theoretical and practical examinations. From that original group, 8 semi-finalists were announced earlier this morning. The group were immediately taken to conference rooms at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel for another series of tests and practical examinations. ASI contests are naturally competitive, but Wouters says “I’ve been amazed by the comradery of the competitors. The support they have shown each other demonstrates the commitment sommeliers in this part of the world have to support each other grow. This collegial spirit speaks well for the future and continued growth of sommellerie in Asia and Oceania.”
Following the semi-final round. the competitors had a little time to relax and recuperate from the stress of the morning challenges. In front of enthusiastic audience, the final rankings of the competitors were announced, eventually leaving a group of three, including Loic Avril (Australia), Andrea Martinisi (New Zealand), and Mason Ng (Singapore) to compete for the title of ASI Best Sommelier of Asia & Oceania.
After a thrilling final competition in front of a live audience Mason Ng of Singapore emerged victorious. The final competition and announcement of the winner was made on stage at the event held earlier today in Tokyo and broadcast live to the world via ASI’s YouTube page.
As the new ASI Best Sommelier of Asia & Oceania Mason Ng has automatically qualified, as one of three continental contest winners, for the ASI Best Sommelier of the World contest to be held in Paris, France in 2023. ASI would like to congratulate Mason, the finalists and all the candidates for their dedication to the sommelier profession.