The Italian Sommelier Association

Associazione Italiana Sommelier - AIS - The Italian Sommelier Association was founded on July 7th 1965 in Italia. Approved by the decree of the President of the Republic in 1976, AIS gained the status of a public non-profit organization, being the founder and member of the Worldwide Sommelier Organization.

AIS is the largest and most prestigious organization that unites experts and enthusiasts of the wine culture in the broad sense. The headquarters of AIS are in Milano, and the regional seats are located in the capitals of all 20 regions of Italy. The local units called delegazioni are set up in many cities of various regions. Currently, the association unites more than 35 000 members.

The activity of the Italian Sommelier Association is aimed at the popularization of wine knowledge through the course and consists in active participation in the enogastronomic sector that is one of the most evolving branches of Italian economy. The didactic courses, enjoying big popularity, are led by professionals in the field of wine and oenology. The course is divided into three levels: level I consists of the rules of running the vineyard, wine production, techniques of wine tasting and serving, use of AIS terminology for describing wines. Level II is an introduction to Italian and international wines, all Italian wine producing regions and the most important vine-growing zones in the world are presented, and are also advanced the rules of tasting and describing wines. Level III includes matching food and wine, participants by means of a graph learn the proper rules for food and wine pairing. The participant of each level becomes the professional literature in the form of textbook with illustrations. The complete course ends with an oral and written examination, granting the title of sommelier.

The participation of AIS in the enogastronomic sector lies in organizing thematic tastings, wine seminars, visiting wine producers, redacting guides to Italian wines, cooperating with the local authorities in organizing initiatives promoting their oenological wealth. This cooperation has an institutional character. As part of the popularization of wine culture is redacted a twice-monthly Bibenda. The Sommeliers of AIS are present at the wine fair Vinitaly held every year in Verona, where besides representing their own Association, take part in organizing this wine event, the biggest in Europe and in the world.

The association authorities:
- Assembly represented by AIS members appointing the Chairman and Secretary
- Local Council represented by the regional Chairmen and 12 members of the National committee

The current Chairman of AIS for Italy is Antonello Maietta.

Featured Italian Wines

Azienda Agricola Cencig Nicola & Mauro

Friulano

Dry white wine from the native Venetian grape Friulano. Tokai of Friuli, known colloquially as Friulano to not raise associations with the famous Hungarian wine, is an example of wine strongly linked to its territory. It occurs throughout the region, but depending on the area of origin change its characteristics. Friulano of the vineyard called Ronc de Schene has an interesting scent note, the wine is soft and very pleasant despite the relatively high alcohol content. It is perfect as an addition to an aperitif and light meals.

Color: straw yellow with greenish hues.
Aroma: delicate, aromatic notes of wild flowers and almonds.
Flavor: dry, crisp.
Connecting with food: perfect for an aperitif, appetizers and dishes based on fish and white meats.
Serving temperature: 10°/12°C.
Alcohol content: 13%.

Cupertinum Cantina Sociale Cooperativa Di Copertino

Primitivo

A dry red wine made from native Puglia grape Primitivo. An extremely pleasant wine with rich aromas, soft and warm. One of the most typical Puglian wines, very liked by Polish customers because of its moderate acidity. Delights by its intense color and notes of fruity jam. An necessary accompaniment with grilled meats.

Color: purple red.
Aroma: complex, notes of ripe cherry, chestnut, almond, chocolate, plum jam.
Flavor: warm, soft.
Food matching: excellent with cured meats and meats, mainly grilled, and also with beef burgers.
Serving temperature: 18°C.
Alcohol content: 13,5%.

Azienda Agricola Luigi Giordano

Langhe Nebbiolo

The Langhe area, located on the right side of theTanaro river, is home to the Nebbiolo grape.This great grape with its name reffering to the landscape of Langhe, characterized by the autumn mists, nebbia is the Italian for mist, in its basic version is called Langhe Nebbiolo. This wine is fresh and young, aged in wooden barrel just for a few months. A feature of this variety is longevity, so it can safely mature in the bottle for up to seven years.

Color: burgundy, brilliant.
Aroma: floral notes of geranium, wild strawberry and raspberry.
Flavor: strong and complex, long-lasting in mouth.
Food matching: hors d‘oeuvres based on meats, sausages, with meat sauces for pasta, roast white and red meats, well seasoned cheeses.
Serving temperature: 14°/16°C.
Alcohol content: 13%.

Castello di Meleto

Chianti Classico Vigna Casi Riserva

A dry red wine of the autochthonous Sangiovese variety with an addition of Merlot. The name ‘Vigna Casi’ refers to a vineyard situated in the hills up to 450 meters. The indication ‘Riserva’ means the long ageing period of wine, which is used only for the best vintages. The 2005 vintage in Tuscany was good, thus the producer decided to make ‘Riserva’. The wine was aged in the proportion 50 to 50 in Slovenian oak barrels for 18 months and in French oak barriques (225l) for another 12 months, than was matured in bottle for another one year. Thanks to such a careful ageing process is crated a really great wine.

Colour: intense ruby red Aroma: fruity and floral notes of cherries, licorice, hyacinth, as derivatives of the aging tactile notes of vanilla, leather, tobacco, spices, soft tannins. Flavor: velvety, harmoniuous. Connecting to the food: meat-based dishes, including grilled meats, venison, cured cheese. Serving temperature 18° - 20 ° C. Alcohol content 13.5%

Vinchio Vaglio Serra

Piemonte Barbera Magnum 1.5L

Dry red wine of Piedmont‘s native Barbera grape. This is a wine with a light ruby color, young and fresh, very light, aged only in steel tanks. As it goes well with most dishes, it is a typical wine for a meal. This is ethereal, delicate and fruity in flavor, with a distinguishable light notes of violets and cherries.

Color: red, bright ruby.
Aroma: winey, ethereal, delicate notes of cherries and violets.
Flavor: dry, crisp.
Food matching: very well with all dishes, from appetizers to main dish.
Serving temperature: 14/16°C.
Alcohol content: 12,5%.

Casa Vinicola Dreolino

Chianti Rufina Riserva

Dry red wine made from native Tuscany grapes Sangiovese and Colorino. Another Chianti from the sub-zone Rufina made by Dreolino, this, however, is a reserve Chianti Rufina of the 2016 year. A strong and concentrated wine, that matures for 2 years in small oak barrels called barriques. Reminding of ripe red fruits, full and elegant taste, with long finish. Like all the other Riservas is made only in the best vintages, so it will taste good even after a few years. Best with game: boar, pheasant, hare or long seasoned cheeses.

Color: ruby red with orange tints.
Aroma: complex, rich, notes of ripe fruits and spices, a hint of wood.
Flavor: velvety, harmonious, elegant.
Food Matching: excellent with game and long seasoned cheeses.
Serving temperature: 18°C.
Alcohol content: 13,5%.

Vinchio Vaglio Serra

Ulisse Piemonte Barbera 3l

Dry red wine from the Piedmontese native grape Barbera. A high quality Barbera in a practical packaging bag in box type. Not aged in wood, gently fruity, well-structured and strong. Balanced tannins and depth fruit make the wine very drinkable, especially throughout the meal. The contents of the bag in box can be consumed within 6 months after opening.

Color: ruby red.
Aroma: vinous, red fruits notes.
Flavor: dry, gently fruity, harmonious.
Food Matching: excellent with meat dishes, meat sauces and seasoned cheeses.
Serving temperature: 16°C.
Alcohol content: 13,5%.

Vinchio Vaglio Serra

Il Griso Roero Arneis

Dry white wine of native Piedmont grape Arneis. It comes from the left bank of the river Tanaro, Roero zone. Sandy soils with marly layers typical for this area are favorable for growing white grapes. In the Piedmontese dialect Arneis is a person with extraordinary temperament. Similarly, this wine tastes - expressive, strong and distinctive.

Color: straw yellow, shiny.
Aroma: floral and fruity notes, apple, peach, wallnut.
Flavor: dry, slightly bitter, long-lasting.
Food matching: perfect as an aperitif, to delicate dishes based on fish, seafood and white meats.
Serving temperature: 10/12°C.
Alcohol: 13%.

Cantina della Vernaccia Oristano

Corash Riserva

Dry red wine of Cannonau. Great potential of Cannonau is best presented by the Riserva, aged for more than 12 months in small French oak barrels. Corash is the name of an ancient town of Cornus. This wine delights by its deep color and rich, velvety structure. It is an excellent accompaniment with aromatic dishes based on meats and game.

Color: burgundy with purple reflections.
Aroma: rich, notes of plum, blackberry, toasted wood.
Flavor: soft, full, warm.
Food matching: best with dishes based on red meats, roast meats, rabbit with nuts, lamb, roast pork, boar in wine, pecorino sardo cheese.
Serving temperature: 18°/20°C.
Alcohol content: 14%.

Fratelli Bortolin

Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Dry

A dry white sparkling wine made from native Veneto grape Glera. Extremely mild Prosecco in a Superiore Dry version with the sugar content at 25 gr/l. In the range of dry Proseccos this version tastes best with desserts and cakes. A pleasant aroma note and gentle, slightly pronounced sweet taste will please all the lovers of semi-sweet wines.

Color: straw yellow, shimmering.

Perlage: fine, numerous.

Aroma: fruity, citrus, lemon, cedar, acacia blossom, wisteria.

Flavor: crisp, long lingering aftertaste.

Food matching: perfect as an aperitif, and also as an elegant accompaniment with fish, cured meats, risottos with vegetable and fish.

Serving temperature: 8°/10°C

Alcohol content: 11%.