ASI Certification 1
Association de la Sommellerie Internationale
The ASI Certification 1 is an internationally recognised sommelier certification from the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale, the world's leading global body for professional sommeliers. Unlike WSET qualifications, which are open to anyone, ASI certification requires candidates to hold active membership with their national sommelier guild. In Ireland, that means membership with the Irish Guild of Sommeliers.
WineEducation.ie has partnered with the Irish Guild of Sommeliers to make this as simple as possible. Our exclusive bundle includes IGS membership, ASI Certification 1, and access to the GuildSomm platform, so you can register, qualify, and join the international sommelier community in one step. Find out more about the bundle here.
This certification provides a structured and professionally recognised pathway into the world of sommellerie, covering the broad general knowledge and practical service skills required of a working sommelier at an international level.
What is the ASI Certification 1?
The ASI Certification 1 is an internationally recognised sommelier qualification that assesses the broad general knowledge and service skills required to work as a Commis Sommelier in professional hospitality environments. Students develop confidence in wine knowledge, service etiquette, and tasting protocol to a standard recognised by the international sommelier community.
Topics covered include:
General wine knowledge, grape varieties, viticulture, and winemaking
Professional sommelier service skills and service etiquette
Wine list management and inventory basics
Food and wine pairing principles
Tasting methodology and wine vocabulary
Customer service with an international clientele
Who Should Take This Wine Course?
The ASI Certification 1 is ideal for:
Students in hotel school, hospitality management, and catering programmes
Front of house and restaurant professionals looking to specialise in wine service
Anyone working toward a career as a professional sommelier
Wine enthusiasts who have completed the ASI Prep Exam and want to progress
Candidates who are members of the Irish Guild of Sommeliers and ready to take the next step
It is specifically designed for those with a foundational knowledge of wine and service who are ready to work toward an internationally recognised professional sommelier qualification.
What is the Format of the Course ?
The ASI Certification 1 is a written assessment, administered exclusively through ASI member associations, including the Irish Guild of Sommeliers in Ireland.
Exam features include:
Written multiple-choice format covering a wide range of sommelier topics
Questions spanning wine knowledge, service skills, tasting methodology, and professional etiquette
Pass mark of 60%
Results assessed exclusively by the ASI Exams and Education Committee