Milan – AIS Birthday Party

AIS Birthday Party: On Tuesday, July 7, the Italian Sommelier Association celebrates its 61st anniversary. In Milan, there will be a large tasting table, the finals of the competition to crown the Best Sommelier of Lombardy, and a special masterclass led by Armando Castagno

Once again this year, to mark the anniversary of the founding of the Italian Sommelier Association (AIS), AIS Lombardia is celebrating this important occasion with a day packed with events, dedicated to camaraderie and in-depth exploration.

On Tuesday , July 7, the hallsof The Westin Palace Hotel in Milan will open their doors to members, journalists, and industry professionals for a major wine tasting event. Wines from more than 150 wineries across Italy will be featured . This will be a festive occasion offering the opportunity to taste a wide variety of wines. A team of sommeliers from the AIS Lombardia Services Group will be on hand to provide expert commentary.

“Our association was founded in Milan. That is why, every year, July 7 is a very important date for us Lombard sommeliers. We love to celebrate it by organizing a day of festivities ” says Hosam Eldin Abou Eleyoun, president of AIS Lombardia.“After the grand celebrations for our 60th anniversary in 2025, we’re returning to our usual format, which features various events throughout the day, from the early afternoon until evening. We can’t wait to share with you the history and future of an association that never stops promoting wine culture and responsible drinking.”

Starting at 2:30 p.m., visitors will also be able to watch the final rounds of the Lombardy Best Sommelier Competition. The written and tasting exams will take place behind closed doors in the morning. The three Lombard sommeliers with the highest scores will then face additional challenging rounds. All of this will take place before a panel of qualified judges, who will announce the winner of the 2026 edition.

At 8:00 p.m., the day will conclude with a masterclass dedicated to one of Italy’s most important white wines: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi. The masterclass will be led by one of the leading figures in Italy’s wine industry and wine communication: Armando Castagno.

The program

• 2:30 p.m. – Lombardy’s Best Sommelier Competition
• 3:30 p.m./8:30 p.m. – Tasting Table
• 8:00 p.m. – Castelli di Jesi Masterclass. The Lands of Verdicchio: Talent, Culture, Identity

For more information: www.aislombardia.it