Whenever I savor a delicious wine, I find inspiration from the memories and emotions each sip evokes and am motivated to become more knowledgeable about its story. Yet, since I started writing about wine in 2011, I’ve discovered other sources of inspiration: the fascinating people I’ve met in this crazy, joyous, complex world of the wine industry.
Through the years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet, converse, and spend quality time with other wine writers, importers, distributors, sommeliers, grape growers, winemakers, winery owners, public relations experts, and so many others who are responsible for that beautiful wine in our glass. Each has influenced me in their unique way to reach my own goals in the industry and achieve more than I ever thought I could.
For my first article of the year, I asked eleven notable sommeliers from New York City, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Montreal, and Quebec to share their goals for 2019. I’m honored to call each not only my colleague but my friend and I admire their collective knowledge of wine, astounding successes, gregarious personality, and authentic love for the grape. After reading, I hope that you’ll be as inspired as I am to broaden your understanding of our favorite beverage, strive for balance in every aspect of your life, and reflect on what is truly important, whatever that may be.
There are a few things that I would like to check off my list. Although I don’t have anything currently booked, I would really like to visit Champagne & Burgundy at some point this year, to say hello to a few of my favorite producers, specifically, J. Lassalle & Bruno Paillard in Champagne and Mongeard-Mugneret in Vosne-Romanée. At Joe’s, I’m really excited for our upcoming calendar of wine dinners we will be hosting at the restaurant. We have a few very special guests and menus that we are currently working on for 2019. Additionally, the third week of each month we select a producer of region to feature for our Somm Series when we offer 3oz or 6oz pours of these special offerings. Lastly, I’m not much for New Year’s resolutions, but each year I vow to drink more Champagne in exotic, preferably outdoors locations. And, although I’ve been happy with my progress in years past, there is always room for improvement.
Andre Compeyre, Chief Sommelier / Manager – Aldo Sohm Wine Bar, New York City
I am so ready for a New Year and most exited for some good wines! In January, I will cook my family recipe of Cassoulet to support a few charities I am very proud to support: Wheeling Forward, Run 2 Build Schools, and Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
In February, the Valentine week will be my escape to Saint Martin and fill up on Vitamins Sea and D. I’ll taste the Rosés from Provence and appreciate how 2017 is holding up until we get the first 2018. Then, in May, I am honored to participate, for the fourth time, in my very favorite wine festival, the Nantucket Wine Festival. On June 9th, I’ll participate in the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon after which I’ll make a mandatory stop at Zuni Café in San Francisco and if possible, a tour to Sonoma. During the summer, I plan to go back home and visit my very dear to my heart vignerons of Gaillac, the wine region of South West France that hosted me for a year when I was fresh out of school with my shining Sommelier diploma. I can’t wait to discover new gems that are emerging stars.
On a much more personal note, I will celebrate my 50th birthday and my quarter-century of living in the US (half of my life!!)
Jared Gelband, Wine Director – Italian Village, Chicago
If you know anything about me, 90% of the wine I drink is Italian. This year I have a couple bottles of 2010 Ferrari Perle Rosé chilling. I think Ferrari makes some of the best traditional method sparkling wines of Italy and this is one I love. What I’m looking at for 2019 is exploring the lesser marketed areas of Italy that offer great wines at a great value. Specifically, the wines of Mount Etna in Sicily, the wines of Calabria, and the wines of Basilicata are those I want to explore. There’s so much great wine out there – we need to think outside the box and keep drinking!
2019 will certainly begin with a tasting of Champagne of my favorite winemakers, Vouette & Sorbée, Frederic Savart, Pierre Gerbais, David Bourdaire! I’m totally into bubbles, for all occasions, and I think there is no better way to start a new year than with good champagne. Regarding my goals for 2019, I discovered some excellent wines from Austria in the last years and I would like to perfect my knowledge on Austrian wines and regions – I feel we have a lot to discover from this country. In 2018, I went to a vineyard in the Languedoc region for 2 months to do the full harvest and vinification period at Domaine Turner Pageot. I wanted to experience the day-to-day life in winemaking and to understand in a better way the work and culture behind the scene – I really loved it! For 2019, my goal is to return to the fields (in another region) and continue my journey as a winemaker’s apprentice.
Arthur Hon, Sommelier + Wine Educator – Union Street Café, New York City
My goals for 2019 can be grouped into two camps: education and work/non-work related.
With regards to education, I’ll be preparing for the Master Theory exam. Last year has been packed with lots of moving pieces from a new job to living a new life in a new city. I am ready to get back on track to take on my pursuit of becoming a Master Sommelier. I’m also planning to form a tasting group that is similar to Second City Somms in Chicago, a group that I was a part of. I have not truly found a tasting group that encompasses everything that I would like here in New York. So, if I can’t find one, I’ll just create one myself. That said, I’ll continue to taste more – there are just so many wines and producers readily available here in New York and I’ve got to stay on my game in the new market. I don’t have wine related travel plans yet for 2019, but would definitely look forward to that.
As for work or non-work-related goals, I’m anticipating the next stage of my career here in New York City. After a year of getting to know the market and reconnecting with the products, I look forward to demonstrating my ability more in 2019. I also plan to reconnect with my visual art background. A major part of choosing New York City after Chicago is because of my background as a visual artist, something I pursued before getting into food and wine. I would like to take advantage of being in New York City and get back into a different way of recharging my creative energy by being inspired by all of the different visual arts in the Big Apple.
Joanie Metivier, Sommelier – Le Cellier du Roi, Bromont, Quebec
I feel like lately I’ve lost touch with some basics and traditional wines. I can’t remember the last time I had Chablis or a classic Bordeaux. With all the trends surrounding emerging regions, autochthonous or long-lost grape varieties, I feel like I’m losing touch with the roots in some way. My wine goal in 2019 will be to go back to my classics and try to see wine with a new, fresh point of view. It’s easy to get lost in expectations from clients and others and I want to be sure I’m not forgetting my personal taste in the process. 2019 will be a year of revisiting producers and look back instead of forward for once.
With the opening of our new Del Frisco’s Double Eagle and taking on this new role as Wine Director at the Century City location, I’ve been working hard on our Champagne list. Since that has been my focus this past month, I have definitely been exploring more Champagne and Sparkling – what a perfect way to ring in the New Year! Some fun things I’ve been sipping on are the Claypool Cellars “Pachyderm” Brut Cormoyeux and the Egly-Ouriet “Les Vignes de Vrigney” Brut Blanc de Noirs 1er Cru. I’m loving the crisp Bartlett pear, yellow apple and lemon meringue notes from the Brut Cormoyeux and since I’m a big fan of Meunier, it’s no surprise that the kaleidoscope of lemon drop and dried rasberry on the palate of the Brut Blanc de Noirs 1er Cru is something I’m sipping!
Rachel Speckan, Advanced Sommelier/Manager – Maverick Wine Company, Chicago
For the upcoming year of 2019, I have many goals, a fresh perspective, and shift in direction. With a new job and the associated transition, goals, hopes and dreams all realigned with high fluidity. Thus, I am focusing on developing my personal website and brand, Field Work Wines, in a meaningful way that will also be sustainable and fulfilling. This is a space for creation, reflection, travel, images and words.
Professionally, I am thoroughly dedicated to learning and growing in my new role. Gaining definition and prowess, making space and excelling at my strengths, developing my weakness, challenging, pushing, pulling…these are just a few. I will be traveling to learn, taste, and touch wine regions that I have not yet visited. I am so excited to delve into the wine work and travel in Argentina / Chile / France.
I shall continue to educate, mentor, and learn about wine, sales, service and hospitality.
I’ll also gain education and skills within my pursuit for further formal wine education. I intend to enroll in the Court of Master Sommeliers Theory Exam again. And, I am working with Fine Vintage Ltd. as an Educator for Level I and Level II of the Wine and Spirits Education Trust courses and exams.
In an ultra-personal spectrum, I continue to evolve and grow as a mom, with new adventures, experiences and memories with the kids as they grow. I am also dedicated to maintaining and deepening relationships that are meaningful and important and retaining a balance between work and play (but also blending both in the best way possible while also holding firm boundaries). Remembering the power of saying ‘no,’ being slightly selfish and giving/taking permission to work on personal health, quiet down time are of paramount importance.
2019 will bring something old and something new. Bubbly for New Year’s has always been Veuve Clicquot and Roederer Brut Premier. My New Year’s resolution will be to drink more wine out of magnums! Wines I’m watching in 2019 will be those from Texas (I’m excited about the new vintage) and the 2016 Bordeaux wines, the first wines of the spring. My new love is South African Chenin Blanc…
Jennifer Wagoner, Sommelier & Wine Director – Sepia and PROXI, Chicago
My wine goals for this year are all wrapped into how I can introduce guests to something new and bring all sorts of joy! Whether it be a region, style of wine, grape or philosophy my goal is to share my excitement and create new lovers of wine. In the same way, I also will be pushing outside of my comfort zone to take my knowledge and leadership to the next level.
Derrick Westbrook, Sommelier / Manager / Consultant – Chicago
My wines goals are centered around three things: having as much fun as possible, learning as much as possible, and sharing as much as possible.
At the top of my 2019 list is to create more work / life balance. 2018 has been a whirlwind and I’m loving it, but it has cost me some important moments. This year I’m focusing on going deeper and making more decisions on what deserves depth, like studying, tasting and listening to the public. I’ll be taking more time away from administrative work and industry events to keep the inspiration that fuels my love of wine and people. You’ll see me write a ton more, and I am sticking to my goal of taking one trip a year to a different wine region (look out Central & Eastern Europe!) I’d also love to learn more French and build relationships with international producers.
The funny thing about this year is that with all this “more,” I’m doing less and conserving my energy to be great when great is needed.
Inspired? Cheers to 2019! ~ Cindy
