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

Montenidoli di Maria Elisabetta Fagiuoli

Il Garrulo Chianti Colli Senesi

Dry red wine made from the indigenous Tuscan Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia grape varieties. It is a traditional Chianti recipe, which, thanks to the addition of white grapes makes the wine soft and light. The name Garrulo is a bird that visits the Montenidoli vineyard. Chianti is a type of wine to drink on a daily basis, nicely seasoned.

Color: ruby red, lustrous.
Aroma: floral and fruity notes.
Flavor: slightly tannic, long felt in the mouth.
Food matching: recommended for tomato-based dishes and tomato sauces, to grilled meats, vegetable casseroles, .
Serving temperature: 16°/18° C.
Alcohol content: 14%.

Cantina Castelnuovo del Garda

„Sweet Life” Vino Rosso

Semi-sweet red wine obtained from Sangiovese and Corvina grapes. A light and gently fruity wine with a beautiful color and delicate taste.

Color: ruby red.
Aroma: delicate, notes of strawberries and raspberries.
Flavor: semi-sweet, pleasing
Food Matching: with light snacks and appetizers
Serving temperature: 16°C.
Alcohol content: 11,5%.

Vinchio Vaglio Serra

Castel del Mago Dolce

Sweet red dessert wine made from Piedmont‘s autochthonous Brachetto grape. Brachetto found favor with our clients and enjoy great popularity, especially among the ladies. That is why we introduced to our range of wines an effervescent version of this pleasant dessert wine. Thanks to the presence of bubbles, it has very fresh taste, a slight hint of sweetness blends harmoniously with the crispness of the wine.

Color: ruby, shiny.
Aroma: brings the memory of summer, associated with strawberries, marked a light note of musk.
Flavor: pleasantly sweet and delicate.
Food matching: perfect for desserts, especially well with chocolate desserts or fresh strawberries.
Serving temperature: chilled to a temperature 8°/10°C.
Alcohol content: 6.5%.

Fattoria San Michele a Torri

Chianti Colli Fiorentini

A dry red wine from the native Tuscan grape Sangiovese with the addition of Canaiolo, Colorino and Merlot. Extremely crispy and fruity Chianti from the Colli Fiorentini subzone. Originating from the vineyards situated at an attitude of 180 meters in south-eastern hills of the town of Scandicci. The grapes are collected manually, 30% of the wine is aged in 2500 litre casks, 70% in concrete tanks. Two parts are blended before bottling, then the wine mature in the bottle for at least two months. Organically cultivated, Chianti rewarded and awarded by Italian wine publications like Vini di Veronelli and DuemilaVini. This wine was awarded the Berebene Oscar in 2016.

Color: intense ruby red with crimson hues.

Aroma: complex, long lasting, notes of cherry and violet.

Flavor: soft, fresh, gently tannic.

Food matching: excellent with Tuscan cured meats, pate crostini, sauces like ragout, amatriciana, carbonara, white roast meats or roast-beef.

Serving temperature: 18°C.

Alcohol content: 13%.

Cupertinum Cantina Sociale Cooperativa Di Copertino

Cigliano

A dry white wine made with Chardonnay grape. Aromatic and soft, with good structure and low acidity. Originating from vineyards located around Lecce, reminding of ripe white melon. Full and fresh in the mouth with hint of herbal notes, salvia and anise. Pleasant to taste, long lingering aftertaste.

Color: straw yellow with goldish reflections.
Aroma: delicate, fruity, notes of white melon, salvia and anise.
Flavor: dry, fresh, harmonious.
Food matching: perfect with fish and sea food, vegetables and white meat.
Serving temperature: 8°C/10°C.
Alcohol content: 13%.

Vinchio Vaglio Serra

Piemonte Cortese Magnum 1.5L

Dry white wine from Piedmont‘s native Cortese grape. The grateful grape variety, dominating throughout the Piedmont, called Cortese - which means polite, nice, depending on the method of vinification and the zone of origin gives great wine of Gavi type or a simple wine to drink with a meal, as our Piemonte Cortese. Delicate and light tastes good with fish and white meats.

Color: straw-yellow with greenish reflections.
Aroma: delicate, fruity, notes of tropical fruit.
Flavor: crisp, harmonious.
Food matching: perfect for an aperitif and with light dishes based on fish and white meats.
Chilled in hot summer days goes well with every meal. Serving temperature: 10°/12°C.
Alcohol content: 11,5%.

Fratelli Bortolin

Cartizze Dry Prosecco Superiore

A dry white sparkling wine made from native Veneto grape Glera. The Conegliano-Valdobbiadene appellation has 5 000 ha altogether, but only 106 ha belongs to the Cartizze subzone. Thanks to the unique microclima and morenic-clayey soil with sandy layers this excellent subzone yields a unique Prosecco, mild, aromatic and exquisite. To highlight its rich aromas and flavors it’s made in the Dry style, with the sugar content up to 22 gr./l.

Color: straw yellow, shimmering.

Perlage: fine, numerous.

Aroma: fruity notes, apple, pink grapefruit, acacia blossom, wisteria, rose.

Flavor: fresh, harmonious, mild, long lingering aftertaste.

Food matching: perfect as an aperitif, and also as an elegant accompaniment with dessert or fruit cakes.

Serving temperature: 8°/10°C

Alcohol content: 11%.

Muri-Gries Cantina Convento

Pinot Grigio

Dry white wine of Pinot Grigio. It comes from the zone located near Bolzano, between the Isarco and Adige rivers. Vineyards situated 260 meters above sea level or even higher and sedimentary calcareous soils make the local Pinot Grigio wines are of intense structure and rich aromas. The vinification process is done in stainless steel tanks. A well-structured, strong and elegant wine.

Color: straw yellow with greenish reflections.
Aroma: complex, notes of fresh fruit, ripe Williams pear, mint, balm, black tea, a hint of butter and almond.
Flavor: full, rich, creamy, elegant.
Food matching: excellent with tomato sauces, vegetable lasagna, pumpkin soup, potatoes au gratin, soft pecorino cheese.
Serving temperature: 12°/14°C.
Alcohol content: 13,5%.

Cantina Colonnella

Montepulciano di Abruzzo Riserva

A dry red wine of Montepulciano di Abruzzo grape. The documentary evidence of this variety dates from the XVIII century. Besides the Sangiovese it is one of the most popular red varieties in Central Italy. The Colline Teramane subzone, Italian for the hills around Teramo, was granted the DOCG status in 2003 and the quality or the wines from here is obtained thanks to the favorable microclimate and vicinity to the Adriatic Sea. An excellent 2007 vintage made it possible to create an equally good riserva made from a careful selection of grapes, full-bodied and extremely fruity. It was aged in wood and for a few months in the bottle.

Color: intense ruby red.
Aroma: rich, complex, notes of cherry, red currant, cocoa, liquorice.
Flavor: warm, soft, harmonious.
Food matching: excellent with meat roasts, grilled meats.
Serving temperature: 18°/20°C Before serving this wine should be decanted.
Alcohol content: 14%.

Fattoria San Michele a Torri

Vino Rosato

Dry pink wine made from the native Tuscan grapes Sangiovese and Canaiolo. Above all appealing is the funny label inducing smile and inclining to drink the wine in good company. A fine pink wine, best in summer. Chilled can be served as an aperitif wine as well as with all kinds of light dishes. Sheer pleasure of its taste. Organically cultivated.

Color: pink, cherry.

Aroma: warm, fruity, floral hints.

Flavor: warm, fruity, fine acidity.

Food matching: as an aperitif, excellent with cured meats, chesses, starters, all kinds of light dishes.

Serving temperature: 14°C.

Alcohol content: 13,5%.