The competition rewards the top sommelier from Asia and the Pacific Region and, this year, from a list of 18 candidates of excellence, it was Japanese consultant sommelier Hiroshi Ishida (aged 46) who was selected, after he had won both the theoretical stages (knowledge of vines and wines) and the practical tests (service and presentation of wine).
He will be representing at the next competition, to find the "World’s Best Sommelier", to be held in Mendoza (Argentina) in the spring 2016.