Profiles
Unfiltered: Ryosuke Mashio, Umu
Head sommelier at Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant Umu, Ryosuke Mashio, tells WLC about his love of Champagne, why he’s proud to be a sommelier in London, and what he has learnt from judging saké at the International Wine Challenge.
Unfiltered: Antonio Di Schiena, Oswald’s
Antonio Di Schiena, head sommelier at private members club Oswald’s in Mayfair, discovered his love for wine during a stint spent working at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Tuscany while still at school. Since then, he has worked in London, Monaco and Ibiza before joining Oswald’s in 2017.
Q&A: Michael Gilbey, Gilbey’s of Eton and Amersham
Restaurateur and co-owner of restaurant group Gilbey’s, Michael Gilbey, reveals his love of French wine, why he believes in importing directly and how the restaurant trade has changed since Gilbey’s first opened in 1975.
Where winemakers dine: Chester Osborn
The inimitable chief winemaker of d’Arenberg in the McLaren Vale Chester Osborn reveals his fondness for the food and drink offering at the Mandarin Oriental and explains how London has the most diverse wine scene.
Top 10 most powerful sommeliers in London: 2019
Following the publication of our guide to the best restaurants in London for wine, we felt it high time we shone a brighter light on those responsible for those lists. Here, we offer a run down of WLC’s Top 10 Most Powerful Sommeliers in London.
Unfiltered: Andreas Rosendal, Flemings Mayfair
Andreas Rosendal, director of wine at Flemings in Mayfair, on unlocking his love of wine with a bottle of Trimbach, tasting a 1984 La Tâche from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and his first ‘celebrity somm crush’.
Unfiltered: Matteo Montone, Berners Tavern
Matteo Montone, director of wine at Berners Tavern, shares his dispassion for Sauvignon Blanc, recalls what it was like to serve Rod Stewart, and how working in London’s wine trade is like playing in the premier league.
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.