# Ep. 2746 From Almaty to Verona: Inside the Italian Sommelier Challenge with Leonid Kirsanov  | Asia Wine Market

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/italian-wine-podcast-326131/ep-2746-from-almaty-to-verona-inside-the-italian-sommelier-challenge-with-leonid-kirsanov-asia-wine-market
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/italian-wine-podcast-326131/ep-2746-from-almaty-to-verona-inside-the-italian-sommelier-challenge-with-leonid-kirsanov-asia-wine-market.md
Podcast: [Italian Wine Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/italian-wine-podcast-326131)
Published: 2026-07-24T06:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/MJS4370043322.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/italian-wine-podcast-326131/episodes/ep-2746-from-almaty-to-verona-inside-the-italian-sommelier-challenge-with-leonid-kirsanov-asia-wine-market
Duration seconds: 1783

## Resource

Welcome to the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2746 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova speaks with Leonid Kirsanov, Head Sommelier at La Vue Restaurant in Saint Petersburg and the winner of the Italian Sommelier Challenge held during the Vinitaly Kazakhstan Roadshow 2026. Returning to Almaty for the second consecutive year, Leonid claimed first place in the competition, earning a scholarship to attend the prestigious Vinitaly International Academy Flagship Edition in Verona in 2027. Now in its third year, the Vinitaly Kazakhstan Roadshow, held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on 29 June 2026, is a trade event that brings together industry professionals, Italian wineries and other key stakeholders. The Roadshow, organized in collaboration with ITA - the Italian Trade Agency, features a walk-around tasting and a series of private masterclasses.  The Italian Sommelier Challenge is an element of the Roadshow dedicated to the next generation of wine professionals organized in collaboration with the Central Asian Wine University and IWINE School. Key learning objectives: Explore the Italian Sommelier Challenge and the role it plays in developing wine professionals. Gain insights into the Vinitaly Kazakhstan Roadshow. Explore the current Italian wine scene in Saint Petersburg. More about today’s guest: Leonid Kirsanov is the Head Sommelier at La Vue Restaurant in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where he has built a distinguished career in the hospitality industry. Born and raised in Saint Petersburg, Leonid began working in restaurants at the age of 14, gaining experience in nearly every front-of-house role before discovering his passion for wine in 2017. A dedicated competitor, he is a two-time Best Sommelier of Saint Petersburg (2023 & 2025) and was named…

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