BULGARIAN ASSOCIATION OF SOMMELIERS

The BULGARIAN ASSOCIATION SOMMELIERS /BAS/ is a non-profit association, established in November 2000 and a member of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale /A.S.I. / since September 2001. ASI, itself, was founded in 1969 in Paris. The main activity of BAS follows the regulations of ASI towards promoting the sommelier profession in Bulgaria and enhancing of the culture of wine consumption in our country.

More than 1000 people have passed successfully the association basic level of sommelier training and more than 100 have reached the upper second level.

In ASI there are more than 50 thousand official members and more than 100 000 educated sommeliers, reached the highest sommelier level from the different colleages all over the world.

The BAS head office is located in Sofia and branch offices in other Bulgarian cities are under establishment.

President and major founder of the Association is Mrs. Maria Jordanova who during the past 2007 on the Annual General Assembly of ASI was chosen in the management of the International Association, and more specifically in its Marketing Commission.

Best Sommelier of Europe 2008 - ASI

The finals round of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale competiton to name the Best Sommelier of Europe was held at National Theatre Ivan Vazov in Sofia, Bulgaria, on May 19. Thirty European countries each sent their top sommelier to compete for the title, with 10 of them – the representatives from Austria, Belgium, Italy, Finland, France, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey – going on to the semi-finals.

At the finals, the three finalists – Eric Zweibel from France, Paolo Basso from Switzerland and Isa Bal from Turkey – showed their best.

The theatre's stage was classily set up like a restaurant, with the contestants like actors in a play. Three tables with people sitting as clients had to be served by each of the finalists. Another test saw wines being served in transparent glasses with the finalists having to identify the wines based on sight, aroma and taste alone. Yet another test was the identification of 10 spirits, five of which were in dark glasses from Schott Swiebel.

The award that winner Isa Bal received came in the form of a replica of the golden phiale from Bulgaria's Panagyurishte golden treasure and a replica of the golden rhyton from the same treasure Bulgaria's minister of culture permitted the use of a replica of the phiale to be the trophy of the Sommelier of Europe 2008 competition. The Vice chair man of Bulgarian state tourist agency bestowed a prize “The golden phiale”. The owner of Belvedere company who ordered the workmanship of the golden rhyton, he bestowed this trophy.

Belvedere company and Bulgarian cellar Katarzyna Estate conferred on each of the top three contestants a bottle of wine with a label specially designed for the ASI competition. The finalists and all the participants in the competition signed their names on a specially created white throne from the “Bourgeois” furniture collection of Modeco International.

Isa Bal dedicated his award to the Balkans.

The finalists were awarded with special presents from the following sponsors:

-VIVATEL, telecommunication company; bottles of wine –special selection of BANFI, presents of ICS yachting; wines of Terra Tangra – Bulgarian wine cellar; Peter Lehman – Australia; Alsace wines – France.

In the same evening was held the Gala dinner in hotel Kempinski, with special sommelier presentation for the following wines:

Champagne Moet & Chandon 2006, Pinot Grigio, DOC, Santa Margarita, Valdadige, Italy

2007, Muskat, Edoardo Miroglio Winary, Thracian Region, Bulgaria

2002, Riesling, AOC Alsace, Grand Creú Kittenlé, Domaines Schlumberger, France

2002, Riesling Cuvee, AOC, Frederic Emile, Maisou Trimbach, Alsace, France

2006, Question Mark, Katarzyna Winery, Thracian Region, Bulgaria

2004, Barrua, IGT, Agricola Punica, Isola dei Nuraghi, Italy

Muscat of Alexandria, SAMOS, Vin Doux, Greece

Whater San Pellegrino&Aqua Panna

Switzerland Chocolate Lindth

At 20th of May in Kempinski Hotel Zografski in Sofia was held the General Assembly of ASI, during which were discussed the annual reports of the Association.

During all period of the event the transportation was assured by the kind collaboration of : Etap address; Vacancia and Malina Krastev and Bulgarian State tourist agency.

For more information:

Maria Jordanova, President of BAS and Marketing Coordinator of A.S.I. ;
mob. tel.:+359878534979
e- mail: asi.bg2008@gmail.com
Sofia 1463, bld. “P. Evtimiy” 53b

PROGRAM
DAY 1 – 15.05.2008
	Arrival of the Bureau of Directors of ASI and Technical committee. Accommodation in Kempinski Hotel***** Situated in the aristocratic quarter of the city, with magnificent view over the Vitosha Mountain and just 5 minutes from the business centre of the capital Sofia. Totally 421 rooms are available in the hotel. All rooms are spacious - 28 m2 floor area. The equipment consists of: writing desk and chair, TV, radio channels, Pay-TV, Mini bar, WC, Bath with shower. The hotel has five restaurants, offering international and Bulgarian cuisine (Japanese cuisine is offered too), Lobby-bar, Piano-bar and Wiener Cafe. Fitness centre, swimming pool, massage, solarium, sauna, pool tanning lawn, sports bar and Cafe, tennis courts, bowling. Shop, car rental, antiques and bookstore, Art Gallery, fully equipped conference halls. The extensive arcade features a wine-tasting boutique, a styling salon with facial and body care, massage therapies, manicure and pedicure and other boutiques. Maestro operates an exquisite jewelry featuring diamonds, from the IDC, Chopard designs and other world-class brands. Working meetings of the Bureau of ASI and the Technical Committee. Dinner out of the hotel. Overnight.
DAY 2 – 16.05.2008
	Full working day for the Technical Committee and Bureau of ASI. Short press conference with media for the candidates – photos and interviews. Half day wine exhibition and tasting with wine from the sponsors. Dinner in Kempinski Hotel – Sofia with Bulgarian wines : KARATZYNA, MENADA, SAKAR, EDOARDO MIROGLIO, RUSSE WINE HOUSE LEVENTA, Svishtov Winery, Vinprom Yambol and others. Overnight at Kempinski hotel.
DAY 3 – 17.05.2008
08.30 h	*Semi-finals of the contest "Best Sommelier of Europe 2008".* Official opening and speech of the Minister of the Agriculture and Food Supply and of the Chairman of the State Agency of Tourism. Official opening of the tastings from the Chairman of the National Chamber of Vine and Wine. Full day wine exhibition and tastings with sponsors’ wines. Full day wine seminars and sponsors’ promotions. In the evening: “Saturday Night Shiraz Fever” in Kempinski Hotel with Peter Lehman’s wines, presentations will be held by Andrew Wigan and Paul Turale, Marketing Manager.
DAY 4 – 18.05.2008
08.30 h	Full day excursion to Perperikon. The earliest traces of human civilisation discovered so far at Perperikon were dated to the late Neolithic Period, 6th-5th millennium BC. At that time, humans had not yet learned to work the face of the rock massif: fragments of Neolithic pottery were found deposited in the natural crevices of the cliff. However, Perperikon was not yet a settled village but a rock of worship. Visit, wine tasting and lunch in Bessa Valley wine cellar. Departure to Katarzhina wine cellar – wine tasting and dinner with Bulgarian Folklore program with folk dances. Back to Sofia and overnight in hotel Kempinski. We are recommending you to wear this day sport outfit and comfortable shoes.
DAY 5 – 19.05.2008
	For the Technical Committee – working day.
10.00 - 12.00 h	For the rest participants – Sofia city tour with lunch. During the tour you will see the newest as well as the most attractive historical and cultural places of interest: the “Alexander Nevski” cathedral, the St. George Rotunda – the oldest Christian church in the city, the Russian Church, the St. Sofia Church which gave its name to the Bulgarian capital, and many other cultural and historical sites around the city. Visit of National museum of History.
14.00 – 17.30 h	Finals with "wine breaks" + music and show-program.
18.00 – 18.30 h	Honorable representatives from several governmental institutions will make a speach and will award the winners
20.30 h	Galla dinner Welcome drink – Moet&Chandon champagne Comparative wine tasting: White wines – Alsace Wines (France) and “Edoardo Miroglio” (Bulgaria) Red wines – Bulgaria, Italy and Chile Overnight at Kempinski.
DAY 6 – 20.05.2008
08.30 h	*Congress:* General ASI Assembly Full Full day open wine seminars with the sponsors’ wines. A gourmet dinner in “Carrera” restaurant, which is part of CHEFS’ GROUP. Wine tasting and presentation of “Levent” wine - Russe Wine House Overnight.
DAY 7 –21.05.2008
	Breakfast. Departure. Transfer to the Sofia Airport by fixed schedule.

Written exam /two days/ “Semi-Finals”: test /around 100 questions from which 20 will be on Bulgarian wine and the vine-growing and wine-making regions/; “blind” tasting of white and red wines and also of spirituous drinks, which the sommeliers are going to identify.

Practical exam /1 day/ “FINALS”: only the best four sommeliers will reached the finals. They will have limited time for the task: to decant red wine; to serve champagne; to taste and characterize 2 red and 2 white wines and match them with suitable food; to offer the right drinks to a menu defined by the jury; to identify spirituous drinks served in dark-colored glasses; to serve cigars.

The sommeliers are going to be professionals who work in elite restaurants from 26 European countries.

The jury of the competition will be presented by famous sommeliers and enologists from all over the world.

Our intention is the final part to take place in the National Theatre “Ivan Vazov”.

The final part will be sort of theatrical spectacle in which famous Bulgarian actors and top show liders.

The Competition will be recorded and published on 2000 DVDs and given to all the competitors, jury members, sponsors, representatives of Bulgarian and international media, and to members of ASI.

RULES

COMPETITORS

Art. 1: The competition is open to anyone, male or female, who has been exercising for more than one year the profession or function of sommelier i.e. choosing and buying wines, setting up a cellar, stock maintenance, categorization of a wine list, advising customers, decanting, serving wines, liqueurs and brandies.
Art. 2: Each country presents one candidate, independent or member of an association of sommeliers, consequently selected. The inscription must be registered with the Vice President ASI for Europe at the latest 21 days before the European final.
Art. 2 bis: All candidates for the European title must hold the nationality of the country they are representing.

ORGANISATION

Art. 3: The Best Sommelier of Europe ASI Contest is organised by ASI (International Sommellerie Association) and with the Associations of Sommeliers in various countries concerned.
Art. 3 bis: A Technical Committee, chaired by the Vice President of ASI for Europe is responsible for the planning, setting up and efficient running of the tests.

LANGUAGE

Art. 4: The official language of the competition is French.
Art. 5: The tests for the National selection take place in the language of the country concerned.
Art. 6: The European semi-finals tasks are in either French or English (the foreign language being chosen by the candidate at the time of registration).
Art. 6 bis: The questionnaire of the written part of the European semi-finals is in both French and English. The candidate is free to answer in the foreign language of his/her choice (a French speaking candidate must answer in English, an English speaking candidate must answer in French; any candidate whose own language is neither English nor French has the choice between the two languages, French or English -the language being chosen for the whole competition- to answer the questions).
Art. 7: The practical and oral tests of the European final will be in either French or English (the foreign language being chosen by the candidate at the time of registration).

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

Art. 8: The competition covers the following areas:
   - the vine, viticulture, grape, must, wine-making , wine,
   - the wine list - drawing up and categorisation,
   - European wines and vineyards,
   - well known vineyards and wines of the rest of the world,
   - liqueurs and brandies,
   - legislation relative to wines and spirits in Europe,
   - cellar organisation, management and stock rotation,
   - drinks usually served in a restaurant,
   - wine vocabulary - analysis of basic sensations,
   - the best known cigars, their characteristics and how to serve them,
   - a foreign language : English or French,
   - news and general knowledge,
   - computer skills.

PROCEDURE

Art. 9: The Best Sommelier of Europe ASI Contest will take place in two stages:
   - Selection in each European country organised by ASI, in which are entitled to participate, in the country of which they hold the nationality, sommeliers having obtained, in their own country or abroad, either a national or an international official title.
   - Semi-finals and final to be held in a European country member of ASI.

NATIONAL SELECTION

Art. 10: The National selection consists of written, oral and practical tests.
Art. 11: Written
   - A questionnaire on oenological knowledge, and wine growing and making, the work of sommelier, the cigars...
   - A blind tasting of two wines with analytical commentary and identification of two spirits.
Art. 12: Oral
Practical and oral tests are organized for the three best competitors of the written tests. They include, at least :
   - Matching of food and wines: choosing and advising on the most suitable wines for the courses selected by the customer.
   - Serving sparkling wine.
   - Decanting and serving a wine using a wine-basket.
   - Classification and correction of a wine list.
   - Blind tasting of two wines.
   - Recognition of five spirits.
   - Conversation in English or French.
Art. 13: Candidates must take part in the practical tests in sommelier dress or in their work uniform.

EUROPEAN SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL

Art. 14: The semi-finals consist of written and practical tests:
   - Questions concerning oenology, wine growing and making, matching dishes and wines, serving techniques, the work of a sommelier.
   - Blind tasting of two wines chosen at random (white, red, rosé, sparkling) with analytical written commentary in the foreign language of his choice (French or English).
   - Blind tasting of wines and spirits with oral commentary in either English or French (foreign language).
   - Decanting and serving a wine using a wine-basket.
   - Serving champagne.
   - Matching of food and wines “Live”.
   - Selling a wine.
   - Computer test.
Art. 15: The final takes place in public and in French or in English. There will be a short list of three candidates drawn from the results of the semi-finals. Tests will only be oral and practical.
Art. 16: The finalists, in their work uniform, perform as the head sommelier of the restaurant of the day. They have to stick to the scenario while accomplishing specific tasks such as matching food and wines, serving champagne, decanting, serving a bottle of wine out of a basket, making up and correcting a wine list, tasting wines and spirits, offering and serving cigars… These tests directly connected to their daily work allow the judges to decide who is the Best Sommelier of Europe.
Art. 17: Throughout the final tests a special jury will observe the appearance, performance, customer approach and commercial awareness of the candidates.

JURY

Art. 18: The Jury for the National selection will consist at least of five members chosen by the National Association and ASI, including personalities from the wine trade, restaurant and hotel businesses, education, and gastronomic press.
Art. 19: The Jury for the National selection is presided over by the current Vice President of ASI for Europe or his/her official delegate.
Art. 20: The Jury for the European semi-finals and final consists of the presidents or delegates of the Associations of Sommeliers of the participating countries (excluding the judges with the same citizenship or from the same country as the finalists), personalities of international stature in the sommelier profession, in oenology, wine growing, teaching, restaurant and hotel businesses, education, and gastronomic press.
Art. 21: The chairmanship of the jury for the European semi-finals and final is carried out by the members of the technical committee surrounding the Vice President of ASI for Europe.
Art. 22: Decisions of the jury are final.

RESULTS

Art. 23: The final ranking will be based solely on marks gained during the oral and practical tests of the final.
Art. 24: Only in the case of a tie for the 1st place will the jury take into consideration marks obtained during the semi-finals to decide between the two candidates.
Art. 25: The results will be formally announced at the end of the final tests, after the jury's due deliberations during a Prize Giving reception.
Art. 26: The winner will be awarded the title of Best Sommelier of Europe of the year.

FREQUENCY

Art. 27: The Best Sommelier of Europe ASI Contest is organised every two years.

For two days there will be forums and discussions on: training sommeliers; different activities and initiatives related to the practice of running a restaurant; strengthening the mutual cooperation between sommeliers and wine-producers worldwide; mutual promotions in the field of wine; international partnership and so on.

During the Congress two representers of each country member of ASI /at least 100 persons – presidents and their best sommeliers/, as well as 50 international media, reflecting the events from our field or their national televisions. What is more, there will be also accompanying persons, whether husbands or wives of the guests, which will pay on their own. At least 300 people are expected to visit Bulgaria.

Following the regulations of ASI, the host contry must provide the accommodation of the official representatives – around 150 people. All their expenditures are covered by the host.

Kempinski Hotel Zografski Sofia

Location: Situated in the aristocratic quarter of the city, with magnificent view over the Vitosha Mountain and just 5 minutes from the business centre of the capital Sofia.

Accommodation: 421 rooms are available in the hotel. All rooms are spacious - 28 m^2 floor area. The equipment consists of: writing desk and chair, TV, radio channels, Pay-TV, Mini bar, WC, Bath with shower.

Food: the hotel has five restaurants, offering international and Bulgarian cuisine (Japanese cuisine is offered too), Lobby-bar, Piano-bar and Wiener Cafe.

Sports and facilities: Fitness centre, swimming pool, massage, solarium, sauna, pool tanning lawn, sports bar and Cafe, tennis courts, bowling.

Other services: Shop, car rental, antiques and bookstore, Art Gallery, fully equipped conference halls. The extensive arcade features a wine-tasting boutique, a styling salon with facial and body care, massage therapies, manicure and pedicure and other boutiques. Maestro operates an exquisite jewelry ... featuring diamonds, from the IDC, Chopard designs and other world-class brands.

Bulgarian Association of Sommeliers

53B "Patriarh Evtimiy" Blvd.
1463 Sofia
Bulgaria
tel./fax: 02/490-2377
0878669205

asi.bg2008@gmail.com
info@asibg-2008.com

PACKAGE I accommodation for 4 overnights from 16.05/20.05.2008 or from 17.05/21.05.2008
	SGL – 740 EUR per person, per package DBL – 1 230 EUR per two persons in a room, per package DBL – 490 EUR per second person sharing the same room with official delegate, per package The package price includes: 4 overnights – 16, 17, 18, 19.05 or 17, 18, 19, 20.05 Hotel accommodation and meals in Kempinski hotel All events according to the official program of ASI
PACKAGE II accommodation for 5 overnights from 15.05/20.05.2008 or from 16.05/21.05.2008
	SGL – 860 EUR per person, per package DBL – 1 408 EUR per two persons in a room, per package DBL – 548 EUR per second person sharing the same room with official delegate, per package The package price includes: 5 overnights – 15, 16, 17, 18, 19.05 or 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.05 Hotel accommodation and meals in Kempinski hotel All events according to the official program of ASI
PACKAGE III accommodation for 6 overnights from 14.05/20.05.2008 or from 15.05/21.05.2008
	SGL – 980 EUR per person, per package DBL – 1 585 EUR per two persons in a room, per package DBL – 605 EUR per second person sharing the same room with official delegate, per package The package price includes: 6 overnights – 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19.05 or 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.05 Hotel accommodation and meals in Kempinski hotel All events according to the official program of ASI
PACKAGE IV accommodation for 3 overnights from 17.05/20.05.2008 or from 18.05/21.05.2008
	SGL – 600 EUR per person, per package DBL – 1 015 EUR per two persons in a room, per package DBL – 415 EUR per second person sharing the same room with official delegate, per package The package price includes: 3 overnights – 17, 18, 19.05 or 18, 19, 20.05 Hotel accommodation and meals in Kempinski hotel All events according to the official program of ASI
PACKAGE V accommodation for 3 overnights from 16.05/19.05.2008
	SGL – 530 EUR per person, per package DBL – 873 EUR two persons in a room, per package DBL – 343 EUR per second person sharing the same room with official delegate, per package The package price includes: 3 overnights – 16, 17, 18.05 Hotel accommodation and meals in Kempinski hotel All events according to the official program of ASI
PACKAGE VI accommodation for 2 overnights from 17.05/19.05.2008
	SGL – 423 EUR per person, per package DBL – 721 EUR per two persons in a room, per package DBL – 298 EUR per second person sharing the same room with official delegate, per package The package price includes: 2 overnights –17, 18.05 Hotel accommodation and meals in Kempinski hotel All events according to the official program of ASI
PACKAGE VII accommodation for 2 overnights from 18.05/20.05.2008
	SGL – 422 EUR per person, per package DBL – 718 EUR per two persons in a room, per package DBL – 296 EUR per second person sharing the same room with official delegate, per package The package price includes: 2 overnights –18, 19.05 Hotel accommodation and meals in Kempinski hotel All events according to the official program of ASI
PACKAGE VIII accommodation for 1 overnight at 19.05.2008
	SGL – 275 EUR per person, per package DBL – 487 EUR per two persons in a room, per package DBL – 212 EUR per second person sharing the same room with official delegate, per package The package price includes: 1 overnight – 19.05 Hotel accommodation and meals in Kempinski hotel All events according to the official program of ASI

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