Master Sangiovese 2020: Davide D’Alterio is the winner

The Tuscan sommelier made his mark during an exuberant final test, which took place on 23 February at Casa Spadoni in Faenza as part of "Vini ad Arte", preceding the Parma-based Maura Gigatti (second also in 2016) and, in third place, two Romagna wines: Riccardo Ravaioli from Faenza and Marco Saiani from Ravenna.

 

The four Sommelier Ais finalists of this 2020 had emerged - from a pool of 12 participants from Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, the two most significant regions for Sangiovese - from the written tests held in the morning. During the afternoon, the final round was staged, which, as usual, saw the presence of a large audience that was favourably impressed and fascinated by the preparation and mastery of the finalists' gestures.

 

From the final round emerged all the skill and professionalism of Davide D'Alterio, born in 1988. Sommelier since 2010, he currently works at the well-known Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence (three Michelin stars). He is not a frequent visitor to competitions, it was only in 2016 that he took part in the Best Sommelier of Tuscany, finishing third, but his love and passion for Sangiovese, in all its nuances, led him to win this Master, becoming the new Ambassador of this splendid grape variety and wine. With the title "Master 2020 - Ambassador of Sangiovese", Davide D'Alterio also won the sum of 2,500 euros (1,000 euros for the runner-up, 250 euros each for the third).

 

The final of the Master involved the finalist sommeliers in the following challenging tests: blind tasting of a wine of the Romagna Sangiovese denomination with related questions from the President of the Jury, reception in foreign language of the clientele and service of the wine at the table, with decantation, practical test of food/wine pairing, communication test (characters, labels, sub-zones).

 

The Sangiovese Master was organized by the Consorzio Vini di Romagna and A.I.S. - Associazione Italiana Sommelier, under the patronage of Enoteca Regionale Emilia Romagna.