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🌐The Wine's voices: Inside La PLACE takes you behind the scenes of top restaurants, interviewing renowned sommeliers 🌟 Mason Ng (thanks a lot Mason.!!) Best Sommelier Asia & Oceania 2022 In this special edition of Inside La PLACE, we dive into the world of sommeliers. Gerda has met the most influential sommeliers and wine-tasting experts. After exploring vineyards and engaging in dialogue with renowned winemakers, producers, consultants, and specialized journalists, our series gives voice to the sommeliers, those wine connoisseurs who play a crucial role in enhancing and internationalizing our exceptional wines. These interviews offer a detailed insight into the challenges, perspectives, and unique strategies of sommeliers in distributing fine wines. By listening to these professionals, we seek to understand the complexity and ambitions that drive the high-end wine market. #wine #sommelier

From the Sommeliers Choice Awards Judge's Table: Here comes the insights from Ermoni Best Sommelier at The Inn at Mattei's Tavern. Ermoni Best, currently a sommelier at The Inn at Mattei's Tavern under Auberge Resorts Collection, brings an extensive background in the hospitality and beverage industry to the ever-evolving world of wine. With a resume that spans Michelin-starred establishments in both Chicago and Santa Barbara County, Best combines her expertise in sommelier certifications with a progressive approach toward sustainable business practices in wine. Her journey, which has now taken her to France to pursue an International Master's in Sustainable Business, underscores a commitment not just to understanding wine, but also to integrating sustainable business strategies within large wine corporations. Ermoni is participating as a judge in the 6th edition of the Sommeliers Choice Awards. Best’s approach to judging is deeply influenced by her understanding of sustainability and a broad palate honed through diverse gastronomic experiences. This extensive background equips her with the ability to identify and understand emerging trends, often revealed through selections offered "by the glass" in various establishments—a telltale sign of evolving consumer preferences that ripple through the industry. When judging wines, Best emphasizes the importance of balancing typicity, quality, value for money, and packaging. He notes that approachability is key; a wine must immediately appeal to consumers, suggesting that its complexity should be inviting rather than overwhelming. This balance is critical, especially in a competitive marketplace where the clarity of a wine's appeal can make or break its success on a wine list. The impact of winning a medal at the Sommeliers Choice Awards can be significant, particularly for smaller or emerging wineries. According to Best, such recognition serves as a "considerable recommendation letter" from sommeliers, breaking barriers and enhancing awareness not only of the wineries themselves but also of the grape varietals and regions they represent. This can catalyze new trends and shift market dynamics favorably for the awarded brands. A unique opportunity to present your wines to America's top sommeliers. The wine scores are benchmarked for on-premise channels by top sommeliers, master sommeliers, wine directors and restaurant wine buyers. Submission deadline is April 24.

What is the BEST wine on the wine list As a dedicated Sommelier, one of the most common questions I encounter is, "What's the best wine on your wine list?" Rather than providing a straightforward answer, I believe in engaging with guests to understand their preferences better. This approach not only helps me tailor recommendations but also allows me to educate them on the intricate world of wine tasting. Drawing from my training at Wine & Spirit Education Trust and following the Systematic Approach to Tasting, I guide guests through a structured evaluation process: 1- Appearance: Observing the wine's color and clarity. 2- Nose (Aromas): Identifying the diverse aromas. 3- Palate: Exploring flavors, acidity, tannins, alcohol content, and body. 4- Judging the wine: Assessing factors like balance, length, intensity, and complexity on a scale from poor to outstanding. While academic terminology is crucial in describing wines, I also encourage adding a personal touch by relating to specific sensations and preferences. Phrases like 'velvety tannins,' 'bright acidity,' or 'full-bodied' paint a vibrant picture of each wine. Remember, effectively describing wine extends beyond vocabulary; it requires a genuine passion for wine and the willingness to share knowledge with others. Let your enthusiasm shine through as you experience the nuances of each bottle. Cheers to the joy of discovering and savoring exceptional wines together! #dubai #dubaisommeliers #sommelier #hospitality #winelovers #redwines #champagne #career #knowledge

What flavors does a wine have? What is its finish like? What texture does it have? 🍷   #Sommeliers help with finding the perfect wine pairing. They are experienced and passionate wine lovers who have a deep understanding of all types of #wine – be it red, white or rosé.   All about being a sommelier, how to become one, what he exactly does and his role in fine dining - now on #MPULSE 👉 https://lnkd.in/e3-KNdjJ

Taste: Quality & Opinion During a wine tasting, Véronique Rivest (2nd in the World's Best Sommelier Competition, Tokyo 2013 & lifelong learner) said the following about the wines they serve in their wine bar: "All the wines we serve here are good, even if you might not like some of them". This means that the wines they serve are opinionated, but all meet their strict quality criteria. However, this does not guarantee that you will like every wine they serve. Does that seem obvious to you? It provided clarity to me, despite your effort, some people might not like what you build for them. That is ok! The quality you strive for should always meet your standards, whether people like what you build is a separate layer. Sometimes you have to trust your instincts. Many cases have been made that you want to avoid the average, bland, no-man's land, where people don't care about your product either way; I agree. Looking at product-market fit from a quality versus opinion standpoint helps you focus your efforts. Application in Support: You should always keep your quality bar high, but high quality does not mean that in the 1:1 interaction, the supported person will immediately like what you offer. I mention this because 99.9% of the people I know tend to care "too much" instead of "too little". Feeling bad about quality when they cannot provide an answer because of security, a different time horizon, or because it would be the wrong decision at the system level is common. If you are in Ottawa, check out Veronique's SOIF BAR À VIN: award winning wines, zero attitude, lots of fun! Or check out 'The Knowledge Project Episode #12')[I have zero affiliation with them, nor drink alcohol, but share the love to learn]

🍷 A Dramatic Decanter's Guide 🍷 Moira Rose's Divine Decrees for Elevating Your Wine Service! In the shadow of a beguiling hospitality haven lies a team, humble yet extraordinary, one that nurtures its knowledge as tenderly as a rare vintage. Salut! If you adore the world of wine as passionately as we do, then you'll marvel at the artistry and finesse your team can bring to each pour and pairing. Here’s how to transform your wine service into a spectacular performance: 🍇 Knowledge Nourishment – Just as a vintner caresses his muskmelon and peach crabapple blends, ensure your team possesses a deep understanding of wine varieties and regions. Equip them to become connoisseurs of the highest order. 🍷 Pouring Poise – Emulating the graceful pour of an oak-aged Chardonnay, train your team to master the technique, turning each glass into a spectacle of elegance. Remember, it’s all in the wrist! 🗣️ Enthusiastic Engagement – With the fervor of a first-rate sommelier, encourage your staff to recommend wines and answer queries with a blend of passion and theatrical flair. Their enthusiasm will make every guest feel like royalty. Indulge in our wine education journey and in your team’s wine education, and you'll experience the profound impact of superior service.. You'll remember the experience, and you'll remember the name: WHY Hospitality. #WineTraining #HospitalityExcellence #WHYWine #LeadByExample #PouringPerfection

How I built integrity into my 22 wines by the glass list (and made good margin on all of them). Over a 12 year period I built a small multi-site group. One of the venues I owned was a wine bar. Our wine list had about 200 wines, with 22 by the glass. More than 80% of wine sales were by the glass. Every month I'd pick 3-4 wines by the glass to replace. So, over 6 months most of the list would change. House red, white & sparkling remained consistent. Each month I'd tell my suppliers: • the varietals I was looking for • the cost price range (I knew my retail & margin) • the date by which samples needed to be in (labelled) So, I wasn't looking for the cheapest wines available I wanted the best quality for my cost price range I put together a tasting panel every month with: • a wine competition judge • my venue manager and other interested staff • sometimes I invited wine-passionate customers and me! of course! We tasted wines for each varietal I was changing We chose the best wine on the day, not the cheapest I already knew they fit into my cost price range for the retail price I wanted that wine to sell for So, I could always put my hand on my heart and tell me, customers, we were sourcing the best and, importantly, so could my staff None of the 22 wines sold less than 2 cases / week (if they did they were changed the next month) Some individual wines sold 250+ cases pa Other benefits included: • no need for constant samples being dropped off • a quality-focused system to change wines • transparency to customers and staff Before I did this, my venue manager was choosing wines from suppliers that were giving him perks! Not the best wine. Integrity is important in everything we do. ❤️ dC - inspiring a regenerative Future of Hospitality that's a thriving Force for Good PS - check my website to get my Future of Hospitality weekly newsletter & register for your choice of monthly events #hospitalityleadership #worklifebalance #performanceimprovement #regenerativehospitality Future of Hospitality

Latest press release picked up by Wine Industry Advisor.

Only a few days left for both international and domestic wine brands looking to grow in the USA market to enter the Sommeliers Choice Awards with super early bird pricing. If you are a wine brand looking to grow in restaurants, hotels and bars in the USA, Sommeliers Choice Awards is the perfect platform for you. Take advantage of the super early bird pricing that's on till October 31, 2023. Enter your wines now and get the lowest entry pricing. You can ship your wines later. (For international brands that do not have importers, SCA can assist you in shipping samples). What makes Sommeliers Choice Awards unique is that this competition is judged by respected top master sommeliers, sommeliers, wine directors, and on-premise buyers of the USA – precisely the people who understand what is required of a given wine to add value and interest to the wine list or in the glass program. Here are the judges, entry info and benefits for your wines. https://lnkd.in/dSPXvr98

Only a few days left for both international and domestic wine brands looking to grow in the USA market to enter the Sommeliers Choice Awards with super early bird pricing. If you are a wine brand looking to grow in restaurants, hotels and bars in the USA, Sommeliers Choice Awards is the perfect platform for you. Take advantage of the super early bird pricing that's on till October 31, 2023. Enter your wines now and get the lowest entry pricing. You can ship your wines later. (For international brands that do not have importers, SCA can assist you in shipping samples). What makes Sommeliers Choice Awards unique is that this competition is judged by respected top master sommeliers, sommeliers, wine directors, and on-premise buyers of the USA – precisely the people who understand what is required of a given wine to add value and interest to the wine list or in the glass program. Here are the judges, entry info and benefits for your wines. https://lnkd.in/dSPXvr98