The South African Sommeliers Association (SASA) is proud to announce that it will officially host the ASI Diploma exam in South Africa this March. This prestigious qualification, awarded by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), represents the highest level of sommelier certification available globally.
The Ultimate Test for Sommeliers
The ASI Diploma is designed to rigorously assess a sommelier’s knowledge, technical ability, and service skills at the highest international standard. It is an extremely challenging examination in terms of difficulty, and only a select few manage to earn this distinguished qualification.
The ASI Diploma exam is only held once a year and is conducted simultaneously across all participating ASI associations worldwide. This means the exam format, content, and evaluation criteria cannot be changed or rescheduled.
In South Africa, only two sommeliers have attained the ASI Diploma level—Spencer Fondaumiere and Jean Vincent Ridon—underscoring just how demanding and prestigious this qualification is.
Exam details:
Date: 10 March 2025
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Time: TBC
Price: R7 500
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can take the exam?
The ASI Diploma is open to professional sommeliers with the necessary experience and competency requirements. Candidates must already hold a high level of sommelier expertise to attempt this exam.
Qualifications:
Be a member of SASA or another ASI-affiliated association.
Have at least four years of experience as a sommelier.
Have a theory level similar to WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines or the Court of Master Sommeliers Advanced Sommelier Certificate.
Have a deep knowledge of wine, food, and beverage service.
Have a good understanding of the culture of wine and vine.
How often is the exam held?
The ASI Diploma exam occurs once a year on the same day in all ASI-affiliated countries.
How can I register?
Please register here: https://www.sommeliers.org.za/events/asi-diploma-exam-3
Can I write the exam if I am from another country?
Yes! Sommeliers can sit the exam in any country as long as they are a current member of an ASI organisation. If your country does not have a sommeliers association, you are welcome to join SASA.
When is the cut-off date?
Those interested in registering can do so until Friday, 28 February.
What other ASI exams are available?
Before attempting the ASI Diploma, sommeliers can take the ASI Certification 1 and 2 exams. These certifications assess core international sommelier skills and serve as stepping stones toward the ASI Diploma.
If you are not ready to take the ASI Diploma exam this time, you can also register for the Certification 1 or Certification 2 later in 2025.
How does grading work?
Each candidate’s final score will reflect the total marks obtained for the three groups of tests:
Questionnaire and essay
Tastings
Practical tests
A bonus system is now in place to reward candidates who participate in a foreign language, whether French, English, or Spanish. Candidates who make the effort to use these foreign languages will receive a 10% bonus. Those who write in their native language will receive no bonus.
What is the minimum level required to graduate for the ASI Diploma?
The exam has three levels, each with its own minimum passing score:
Bronze: 60% (with 40% minimum for each group of tests)
Silver: 65% (with 45% minimum for each group of tests)
Gold: 75% (with 50% minimum for each group of tests)
For more details, visit the SASA website or follow our social media pages. If you’re ready to take on one of the most challenging sommelier exams in the world, this could be your chance to prove your expertise on a global stage.
You can view the official ASI rules and Competencies at https://www.asi.info/exams/asi-diploma/
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