Cristian Maitan is Italy's top sommelier. The award occurred at the conclusion of the Italian Sommelier Association's Best Sommelier in Italy - Trentodoc Award. Cristian Maitan, 28, from Treviso, is a sommelier at Ais Veneto and works in the family restaurant, the Nuovo Ranch, in Ponte di Piave, Treviso. In 2018, he was named Best Sommelier Ais Veneto. "It was a great emotion to receive this recognition," he added during the award presentation. "A dream I've had since high school that has now come true. It's been a long and difficult trip, but it's been well worth it. The most challenging test I've ever taken? The one with myself: I learnt not to give up, to endure, and to keep moving forward with the immense enthusiasm that has always been with me".