DISCOVER ALLIANCE OF SOMMELIERS, ORLANDO

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Welcome to Alliance of Sommeliers, Orlando chapter.  We are a group of individuals who enjoy fine wine & food.  We hold educational tasting events each month.  Several of our members are sommeliers but everyone with a passion for wine is welcome to join.

A bit of our History

The Sommelier Guild Inc. (Florida) was founded by French Restaurateur and Connoisseur Charles Fredy in 1965.  In 1972 Pipi Diamond, the wine marketing director for American Distributors in Jacksonville, created both the Orlando and Jacksonville Chapters.  The primary objective of the group was, and remains, the education of both consumers and professionals who are interested in wines and spirits.

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In 1977 the board of the Orlando chapter questioned the sagacity of continuing to send a portion of dues to the headquarters chapter in Miami.  Guild-Certified Sommeliers (and members of the Orlando Board) Dennis Kirkwood, Ed Cazel, and Reid Rapport attended several Guild Board meetings in South Florida and brought information back.  The Orlando Board voted unanimously to end affiliation and form an independent group “The Alliance of Sommeliers.”

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The over-riding objective remains the same: continued education of all members in the ever-evolving world of wines and spirits.  With few exceptions, tastings are held on the second Sunday of each month, usually with a “greet” wine and six wines for sampling.  The presenter of the wines sets the theme and is charged with providing the educational program.

The Alliance is one of the oldest tasting groups in the country.  Some members are the third generation in their families to continue the learning experience.  Wines and food pairings have evolved over the (almost) half century of our existence.  We welcome new members and strive to keep our tastings current and informative without becoming overbearing. 

Knowledge and community support define us.