Tell us about the moment you first became interested in wine
When I was a science student, I remember one of the teachers told me that wine is the most wonderfully unknown out of all drinks. Therefore, I became immediately interested in that ‘mysterious’ definition and was keen to learn more about the wine world.
Describe your wine list at The Cocochine
We specialise in affordable fine and rare wines.
Over the course of your career, have you had any wine-related disasters?
I once dropped a bottle of Chateau Haut Brion 1959.
Name your top three restaurant wine lists (excluding your own!)
La Tour d’Argent in Paris, Arzak in San Sebastián and Spain and Le Gavroche in London (now closed).
Who do you most respect in the wine world?
Lalou Bize-Leroy (the winemaker and owner of Burgundy’s Domaine d’Auvenay and Domaine Leroy).
What’s the most interesting wine you’ve come across recently?
It is not wine, it is a pomace brandy actually.
What are the three most overused tasting notes?
Moderate intensity, fine entry and -ish.
What’s the best value wine on your list at the moment?
Vosne-Romanée Domaine Remoissenet 2015 magnum by the glass (£55).
What is your ultimate food and drink match?
Lobster with sauce Américaine and red Burgundy.
Old World or New World?
Old World.
What is your pet hate when it comes to wine service in other restaurants?
Sommeliers taking large amounts of wine for their tasting before serving.
Who is your favourite producer right now?
La Gibryotte. It is a small negociant business from Claude Dugat. This is an excellent Bourgogne wine. Earth, spice and wood aroma with dark fruits characters. Complex and well balanced.
As a head sommelier, what question do you most get asked by customers?
What is the most drinkable wine from supermarkets?
Which wine producing region or country is underrated at the moment?
Spanish red. There are so many unique wines. Also some of the more famous wines should be in the same price range as fine Bordeaux.
It’s your last meal and you can have a bottle of any wine in the world. What is it and why?
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Clos des Varoilles, Domaine des Varoilles 1996. This wine is why I am so much into the Pinot Noir world.
