We held a very exclusive £2,000 a ticket dinner featuring the wines of Latour with the gerant (manager) Frederic Engerer at the Greenhouse restaurant. Frederic is an amazing hands-on manager, who is involved in every stage of the wines journey from the vines, winemaking and the final sales and marketing. His contribution to the quality of Latour and his attention to the details have resulted in a wine that can proclaim to be one of the best in the world.
For most of us Australia holds the image of surfboards, hot sun-drenched beaches and big, bold full flavoured wines. For round, buttery, tropical fruit chardonnays and muscular, warm, spicy shiraz there is no better place to look. Unfortunately it can be a little bit more difficult to find the crisp, sharper styles of wines. The Clare valley and the Adelaide Hills do make some nice Rieslings and Sauvignon blancs but when you want antipodean acidity look to New Zealand.
Ronan Sayburn was one of the first true Sommeliers who welcomed me into Sommellerie over 10 years ago, opening his door to share his knowledge and assist in developing my sommelier skills whilst working in Michelin starred establishments. He has been a direct influence in my professional development and wine studies including national and international sommelier competitions. His willingness to assist and support anyone with a true desire to further themselves in the hospitality industry is effortless, and one which echoes across the UK and abroad through world-wide recognition and respect amongst his peers and leading industry figures.
Matt Wilkin M.S., UK Sales and Marketing Director, H2Vin Ltd.