The “2023 SJM Asia Top Sommelier Summit” formally launched yesterday at Grand Lisboa Macau, with the three-day first-in-Macau event bringing wine experts from across Asia together for discussions on the wine industry’s advancement.
The summit, which started on Wednesday and runs until today, features events such as the Asia Wines & Spirits Awards (AWSA) - Sommeliers and the 2023 China’s Wine List of The Year Awards Ceremony. It is jointly organised by integrated resort operator SJM Resorts and the Asia Wine Institute.
Asia Wine Institute founder and Chairman Tommy Lam (林志帆) said during his speech that: “We have more than 200 sommeliers including [SOMM100] Graduate Sommeliers from different parts of China gathered in Macau for this very packed programme over three days. The city has never been packed with so many Champion Sommeliers – nine from Asia, 14 from mainland China and more, making it almost 30 champions under one roof”.
Lam added that the summit launched with the 3-day Court of Master Sommelier Programme with 62 candidates enrolled, is “an extremely high number in Asia, leading this largest-ever programme in Macau.”
Moreover, SJM Finance and Development Chief Operating Officer Benjamin Toh (卓河祓) said in his speech that building on SJM’s strong foundation, “we aim not only to set high standards for ourselves but also to inspire and cultivate emerging talents. We also strive to set benchmarks for excellence across the Chinese wine industry and elevate the very fabric of the wine and dine landscape.”
The Court of Masters Sommeliers Worldwide President Brian Julyan MS also delivered a keynote speech on the wine industry’s future. This was followed by the “Asia Wine Market Dialogue” by a panel of 30 top China winery owners and 10 presidents from sommelier associations from Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.
Over 300 wine industry professionals, local associations and Court of Master Sommeliers Accreditation students attended the opening ceremony.
SJM Finance and Development Chief Operating Officer Benjamin Toh (卓河祓) delivers a speech during the 2023 SJM Asia Top Sommelier Summit’s opening ceremony at Grand Lisboa Macau yesterday.
Asia Wine Institute Founder and Chairman Tommy Lam (林志帆) delivers his speech at yesterday’s opening ceremony. Photos: Rui Pastorin
