Flying Sommelier

15/04/2026

Education is so important for African Sommelier.
The Flying Sommelier is so proud to be involved with this collective narrative, educating the best sommeliers of tomorrow.

🎧 A Sommelier’s Insight: The rise of ASI’s Diploma and Certification Pathways with Jean Vincent Ridon 🍷

Since the launch of the ASI Diploma in 2012, the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale has steadily built one of the wine and hospitality world’s most inclusive and globally relevant systems of professional benchmarking. 👏 What began as a top-level qualification aimed at recognising excellence amongst the top sommeliers of the world has evolved into a broader educational ladder that now reaches far beyond the traditional centres of the profession. In doing so, it is welcoming a diverse population to sommellerie. 🤩

In this episode of A Sommelier's Insight podcast, host Mark DeWolf talks with ASI Exams & Education Committee member Jean Vincent Ridon about the evolution of ASI's Certification and Diploma programmes and their impact on a new generation of hospitality professionals, particularly in countries with emerging interests in sommellerie.🔥

Enjoy our conversation with Jean Vincent!

📺 Do not forget that you can now also watch the episodes on our YouTube channel!
▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/hUcKT-ZoWVE

🎧 Listen on podcast platforms:
https://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-rise-of-asi-s-diploma-and-certification-pathways--71211959
🔗 Links in bio to previous episodes! 😉

25/03/2026

My multi-awarded book Passion for Pairing is now available at Brice and Burnett
Do not hesitate to get your copy with your next wine order!

Order online, including the Passion for Pairing by Jean Vincent Ridon. Free shipping on all orders over R1,500 anywhere in SA from Brice & Burnett.

24/03/2026

I may not have won the 2025 Master of Port competition, but being in the final round was a fabulous experience.
Now I can proudly be a legitimate Port Ambassador around the world, starting with South Africa.
If you need a Masterclass on Ports, and if you want to taste wines never been imported in South Africa, join my guest list for the Sommelier's Table, and sit with me to explore the Douro valley, The city of OPorto, and the legends of Vila Nova de Gaia.

24/03/2026

Higgo is such a generous person

Due to the current situation in Lebanon, the Best Sommelier of Lebanon 2026 is postponed. However ASLIB will still conduct a selection process for ASI Best Sommelier of the World in Lisbon on this Thursday 26th of March 2026.
ASLIB is proud to annonce that one of the jury members is Higgo Jacobs.
Higgo Jacobs is one of the founder of the South African Sommeliers Association, a respected sommelier educator and the leading South African wine auctioneer.
Higgo Jacobs is director of the ASI - Association de la Sommellerie Internationale by-laws committee and has been instrumental to the development of the ASI sommelier family around the world.
The best candidate will be selected under his scrutinty, and will fly to Lisbon to represent Lebanon for the ASI Best Sommelier of the World Contest in October 2026.

16/01/2026

Such an empowering event

ASI Member News: Consecutive Wins for Mauritius of Ubuntu International Sommelier Trophy 🏆

Team Mauritius has once again claimed the Ubuntu International Sommelier Trophy, securing a second consecutive victory at the 2025 edition held on 8 December at the historic Lanzerac Hotel in Stellenbosch. 👏🤩 Competing against teams from Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa, the continental final brought together Africa’s top sommelier talent following demanding semi-finals that tested skills across wine service, blind tasting, theory, sake and beer identification, menu explanation and pairing challenges. 💪 The final round, hosted in partnership with Stellenbosch Wine Routes, further showcased the competitors’ versatility with tasks spanning sparkling wine service, still and fortified wines, spirits, water service and beer-and-food pairing, all overseen by an international jury chaired by Giuseppe Vaccarini, former ASI Best Sommelier of the World.🥂

Team Mauritius who was represented by Jaisen Pandoo and Shani Ramasawmy, both former national champions, retained the Ubuntu Trophy, while George Young (South Africa) earned the highest individual score, receiving the Stellenbosch Wine Routes Award. 🍷 Featuring eight finalists from Mauritius, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa, the sixth edition of the Ubuntu Trophy reaffirmed its role as a vital platform for showcasing African excellence in sommellerie. The event was organised by Jean-Vincent Ridon. 👏

Our congratulations to the winners, all competitors and the organising committee - a memorable sommelier event for Africa! 🔥