Profiles

Unfiltered: Hans Weinefalk Larsson, Hide
Hans Weinefalk Larsson took over the task of managing the gargantuan list at wine Mecca Hide late last year, after the departure of the restaurant’s director of wine, Piotr Pietras MS. Here, he shares his love of Rhône, dislike of Dolcetto and respect for Hugh Jackman.

Super somms: Gerard Basset and Ronan Sayburn
When it comes to influential sommeliers, Gerard Basset and Ronan Sayburn lead the pack. Lauren Eads finds out why they are held in such high esteem by their peers, and how they have inspired a new generation of drinks professionals.

Unfiltered: Terry Kandylis, 67 Pall Mall
Former UK Sommelier of the Year 2016, Terry Kandylis, head sommelier at 67 Pall Mall, is not a fan of Pinotage, once served Brad Pitt, and why engaging with customers and telling winemakers’ stories is his favourite part of the job.

Unfiltered: Giovanni Ferlito, The Ritz
Giovanni Ferlito, head of wine and beverages at The Ritz, reveals the perils of maintaining an 800-bin wine list, what it was like to serve Madonna, and why London is simply the best city in the world to be a sommelier.

Unfiltered: Giovanni Ferlito, The Ritz
Giovanni Ferlito, head of wine and beverages at The Ritz, reveals the perils of maintaining an 800-bin wine list, what it was like to serve Madonna, and why London is simply the best city in the world to be a sommelier.

Unfiltered: Daniele Chelo, Clos Maggiore
Daniele Chelo, head sommelier at Clos Maggiore in London, got his big break at Jason Atherton’s Michelin-starred City Social, dreams of a vineyard in Langhe, and might have ended up a taxi driver had his path not led to the world of wine.

Guilty pleasures: Yann Prigent
In the latest installment of our Guilty Pleasures series, in association with Côtes du Rhône Wines, we chat game birds and the joys of Côtes du Rhône Villages with head sommelier of The Bleeding Heart Group, Yann Prigent.

Unfiltered: Daniel Manetti, The Connaught
Daniel Manetti, head sommelier at the two-Michelin-starred Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, shares his joy at finally tasting a bottle of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, and why London is one of the best cities in the world to work in wine.

Honey Spencer and Elizabeth Haigh join forces
Sommelier Honey Spencer has joined forces with Pidgin’s former head chef, Elizabeth Haigh, on a series of pop-up dinners at Narroway Studio in Hackney.

Guilty Pleasures: Roger Jones
In the fourth instalment of our Guilty Pleasure series, in association with Côtes du Rhône Wines, we discover chef Roger Jones’ penchant for lambs testicles and secret visits to his restaurant’s cellar armed with his Coravin.