Uncorked

Luca Cavallo head sommelier at Marcus Belgravia on how a Tuscan meal sparked his interest in wine

Uncorked: Luca Cavallo

By Joe Lutrario

The head sommelier at Marcus Belgravia on how a Tuscan meal sparked his interest in wine, his ultimate food and drink match, and why Portuguese wine is underrated.

Erika Haigh co-founder of London sake shop, bar and restaurant Moto

Uncorked: Erika Haigh

By Joe Lutrario

The sake expert behind London sake shop, bar and restaurant Moto on pairing sake with pizza and the ‘phantom sake’ produced by Nagano’s Obuse Winery.

George Begg owner Samphire restaurant Whitstable

Uncorked: George Begg

By Joe Lutrario

The 'accidental restaurateur' behind Whitstable favourite Samphire on Margate's Botega Caruso, Krug 1988, Len Evans and his surprisingly affordable Domaine Tempier Bandol rosé.

Maria Viviani co-owner Eline restaurant London natural wine

Uncorked: Maria Viviani

By Joe Lutrario

The Argentina-born ‘resident wine enthusiast’ at Hoxton natural wine specialist Eline on Camille Thiriet, Offbeat Wines and pairing Macvin du Jura with Comté.

Jared Svedlund sommelier and restaurant manager La Cave Holborn

Uncorked: Jared Svedlund

By Joe Lutrario

The New Zealand-born somm at Holborn’s La Cave on careless Prime Ministers, Adam Vourvoulis and Lucas and André Rieffel’s Cremant d’Alsace.

Jasper Delamothe founder of Oranj on wine

Uncorked: Jasper Delamothe

By Joe Lutrario

The founder of natural wine retailer and wine bar Oranj on Cabernet Franc and pizza, Anders Frederik Steen and the often overlooked French region of Bugey.

Terry Kandylis wine director at Caprice Holdings on his list at Bacchanalia

Uncorked: Terry Kandylis

By Joe Lutrario

The group wine director for Caprice Holdings on his list at Mayfair's Bacchanalia, 1728 Pedro Ximénez and the pleasure of tasting the fruit of one’s labours.

Bella Babbit wine director NoMad London

Uncorked: Bella Babbit

By Joe Lutrario

The Swedish-born wine director at NoMad London on her Nebbiolo-heavy list, Stockholm’s Cafe Nizza and Coulée de Serrant.

Anna Dolgushina co-founder and sommelier Firebird restaurant in London's Soho

Uncorked: Anna Dolgushina

By Joe Lutrario

The sommelier and co-founder of Soho’s Firebird on her favourite new wave Burgundy producers, Georgian wine and Champagne and fish and chips.

Seamus Sharkey head of wine JKS Restaurants

Uncorked: Seamus Sharkey

By Joe Lutrario

The head of wine at JKS Restaurants on and pairing a cheeky Nando's with an off-dry Riesling.

James Ratcliffe co-owner and MD of Cumbria's The Black Bull Inn on wine

Uncorked: James Ratcliffe

By Joe Lutrario

The co-owner and MD of Cumbria's The Black Bull Inn on Slovakia's Strekov 1075, the great wine lists of The North and pairing Beaujolais with brie.

Maria Boumpa Da Terra restaurant sommelier

Uncorked: Maria Boumpa

By Joe Lutrario

The sommelier of Bethnal Green restaurant Da Terra on the unicorn wines of Clos Joliette in Jurançon and why there's a lot more to Greece than Assyrtiko and Xinomavro.

Ross Trueman general manager Furna restaurant Brighton

Uncorked: Ross Trueman

By Joe Lutrario

The Belfast-born general manager at recently launched Brighton restaurant Furna on working for Gordon Ramsay in Bordeaux and Slovenian producer Marjan Simčič.

Jessica Monetti head of operations at Macellaio RC on wine

Uncorked: Jessica Monetti

By Joe Lutrario

The head of operations at Macellaio RC on her group's Italy-focused wine list, Vega Sicilia's Mariano Garcia and Rhône's Famille Perrin.

Rob Maynard co-owner and wine buyer at Hove restaurant Wild Flor

Uncorked: Rob Maynard

By Joe Lutrario

The co-owner and overseer of the list at Hove's Wild Flor on Sanlucar de Barrameda's Conde De Adalma, knackered 1980 Lafite and pairing soft cheese with maturing Spatlese riesling.

Tom Lakin wine consultant at Paco Tapas and Casa in Bristol

Uncorked: Tom Lakin

By Joe Lutrario

The wine consultant behind the lists at Peter Sanchez-Iglesias’ Paco Tapas and Casa restaurants on Raj Parr, Pax Mahle and frozen Ruinart.

©Stephen Lister

Uncorked: Seoridh Fraser

By Joe Lutrario

The bar manager at Edinburgh’s Heron on why he refuses to use the word ‘interesting’ when talking about his wines.

Sara Rossi head sommelier Trinity restaurant Clapham

Uncorked: Sara Rossi

By Joe Lutrario

The head sommelier at Clapham restaurant Trinity on Cathy Corison, underestimating Gavi and Giacomo Conterno's Cascina Francia.

Emanuel Pesqueira head sommelier Restaurant 1890 by Gordon Ramsay

Uncorked: Emanuel Pesqueira

By Joe Lutrario

The head sommelier at Restaurant 1890 by Gordon Ramsay on the concept of balance, Portuguese winemaker Herdade do Rocim and the perils of opening Champagne at sea.

The Fat Duck head sommelier Melania Bellesini on wine

Uncorked: Melania Bellesini

By Joe Lutrario

The head sommelier at The Fat Duck on overseeing a wine list that balances the classics with hidden gems and pairing venison with sake.

Emma Denney head of wine at Farringdon's Restaurant St Barts

Uncorked: Emma Denney

By Joe Lutrario

The head of wine at Restaurant St Barts on Covid temporarily robbing her of her sense of smell and taste, and a mysterious Furmint from her home country of New Zealand.

Alice Bussi co-owner Kent’s Michelin-starred Hide and Fox

Uncorked: Alice Bussi

By Joe Lutrario

The co-owner and sommelier at Kent’s Michelin-starred Hide and Fox on treading grapes as a child and South African winemaker Elizma Visser.

Martin Hagen owner of Cave Bristol on wine

Uncorked: Martin Hagen

By Joe Lutrario

The owner of Cave Bristol on his love of ‘natural’ wines and discovering hidden gems in underrated places.

Enzo Russomanno head sommelier Luca Italian restaurant in Clerkenwell

Uncorked: Enzo Russomanno

By Joe Lutrario

With a CV that includes Murano`and Locanda Locatelli, Luca head sommelier presides over one of London’s very best Italian wine lists.

Lara Jordaan wine buyer at Peckham's Kudu Collective

Uncorked: Lara Jordaan

By Joe Lutrario

The GM at Smokey Kudu is responsible for the wine list across the Peckham-based Kudu Collective, which also includes Kudu and Kudu Grill.

Julien Beltzung executive sommelier The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant

Uncorked: Julien Beltzung

By Joe Lutrario

The executive sommelier at Perthshire’s The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant on his upbringing in Alsace, opening bottles properly and La Romanée-Conti Grand Cru 1945.

Daniel Illsley director of wine at London restaurant Maison François

Uncorked: Daniel Illsley

By Joe Lutrario

The wine director at Maison François and the owner of wine shop Theatre of Wine on Hugh Johnson, Clos de Crappe and Champagne Marie Courtin.

Monique Ziervogel head sommelier at Spring restaurant in London on wine

Uncorked: Monique Ziervogel

By Joe Lutrario

The South African-born head sommelier at London’s Spring on the joys of Edorado Valentini’s Trebbiano d’Abruzzo and presiding over a list that leans towards small, organic and biodynamic producers.

Paul Morgan owner and wine buyer Fourth & Church restaurant and bar in Hove

Uncorked: Paul Morgan

By Joe Lutrario

The owner and wine buyer of Hove’s Fourth and Church on his love of Sherry, German Riesling and the wines of Loire producer Domaine François Chidaine.

Adam Ramic head sommelier The Lanesborough Grill on his wine list

Uncorked: Adam Ramic

By Joe Lutrario

The Slovenian-born sommelier behind the list at The Lanesborough Grill on Sine Qua Non's Manfred Krankl and matching beef tartare with vintage rosé Champagne.

Adrian Castro wine buyer and operations manager at Tapas Brindisa

Uncorked: Adrian Castro

By Joe Lutrario

Tapas Brindisa’s wine buyer and operations manager on Manchuela-based producer Juan Antonio Ponce, mishaps with magnums and octogenarian sherry.

Uncorked: Hylton Espey South African-born chef and wine expert behind ‘nature-inspired’ Falmouth restaurant Culture

Uncorked: Hylton Espey

By Joe Lutrario

The South African-born chef and wine expert behind ‘nature-inspired’ Falmouth restaurant Culture on early memories of pairing venison with Merlot and his pet hate when it comes to wine service.

Sergi Guillen Beneito wine director Ormer Mayfair by Sofian

Uncorked: Sergi Guillen Beneito

By Joe Lutrario

The wine director at Ormer Mayfair by Sofian on having to pour a bottle of 2001 Petrus down the sink and Castilla Leon-based producer Alvar de Dios.

Michele Orbolato head sommelier at D&D London’s Le Pont de la Tour and Le Pont de la Tour Bistrot restaurants

Uncorked: Michele Orbolato

By Joe Lutrario

The head sommelier at D&D London’s Le Pont de la Tour and the recently launched Le Pont de la Tour Bistrot on Piedmont-based wine superstar Angelo Gaja and wines from Spain’s Bierzo DOP.

Daniel Stojcic sommelier The Raby Hunt in Summerhouse

Uncorked: Daniel Stojcic

By Joe Lutrario

The sommelier at The Raby Hunt on his white and Old World heavy wine list, getting into wine relatively late on in life and the Loire's Domaine Belargus.

Charlie Stein sommelier and head of wine Rick Stein Restaurants

Uncorked: Charlie Stein

By Joe Lutrario

The head of wine at Rick Stein Restaurants on his love of modern South African wine and roasting one of his dad's bottles of Penfold’s Grange.

Josh Castle group head sommelier Noble Rot

Uncorked: Josh Castle

By Joe Lutrario

Noble Rot’s group head sommelier on swapping out Aussie Shiraz for Côte-Rôtie and the joys of venerable NV Champagne.

Élise Mérigaud head sommelier La Dame de Pic restaurant London

Uncorked: Élise Mérigaud

By Joe Lutrario

The head sommelier at Anne-Sophie Pic’s London outpost on inspirational women in wine and Sicily’s Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG.

Fernando Cubas head sommelier Theo Randall at the InterContinental restaurant

Uncorked: Fernando Cubas

By Joe Lutrario

The head sommelier at Theo Randall at the InterContinental on his Italy-focused list, Trentino-based producer Elisabetta Foradori and his love of Sicilian wines.

Clara Rubin group wine manager Hawksmoor restaurant group

Uncorked: Clara Rubin

By Joe Lutrario

The group wine manager at Hawksmoor on her passion for wine education and the steak-focused group’s ‘guest first’ mindset.

Francesco Tessa head sommelier Angler fish restaurant London

Uncorked: Francesco Tessa

By Joe Lutrario

The Puglian-born head Sommelier at The City-based Angler on Josko Gravner’s famed Ribolla Gialla, the Mosel’s Clemens Busch, and Jancis Robinson.

Rafa Martin wine buyer Barrafina, Parrillan and Bar Daskal

Uncorked: Rafa Martin

By Joe Lutrario

The group buyer for Harts Group's Barrafina, Parrillan and the recently launched Bar Daskal on championing Spanish wines in the UK.

Filip Viorel head sommelier Beanres

Uncorked: Filip Viorel

By Joe Lutrario

The head sommelier at high-end Mayfair Indian restaurant Benares on over pouring and why the Balkans and former Soviet Bloc countries should be reappraised by wine lovers.

Giacomo Recchia senior sommelier at Bob Bob Ricard City

Uncorked: Giacomo Recchia

By Joe Lutrario

The Puglia-born senior sommelier at Bob Bob Ricard City on catching the wine bug in Languedoc-Roussillon, Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix and presiding over one of the best value wine lists in the capital.

Sam Weatherill restaurant manager and sommelier at Etch restaurant in Hove

Uncorked: Sam Weatherill

By Joe Lutrario

The restaurant manager (and wine guru) at Hove’s Etch on the joys of battered oysters with Vecchio Samperi and being mistaken for his boss.

Matilda Tsappis Killiecrankie House

Uncorked: Matilda Tsappis

By Joe Lutrario

One half of the duo behind Scotland's Killiecrankie House on championing Chinese wine, peculiar sakes and matching Champagne with Co-op salt and vinegar crisps.

l'Enclume sommelier Valentin Mouillard

Uncorked: Valentin Mouillard

By Joe Lutrario

The head sommelier at Simon Rogan's flagship L'Enclume on being the grandson of a winemaker in Jura, Austrian natural winemaker Johannes Zillinger and why muscadet needs to be reappraised.

Emily Acha Derrington head of wine Manteca Italian restaurant London

Uncorked: Emily Acha Derrington

By Joe Lutrario

The head of wine at Manteca raises a glass to the women that juggle working in wine and restaurants with young families.

Photo credit: Marie-Paule Herman

Uncorked: Marie-Paule Herman

By Joe Lutrario

The group sommelier and senior ops manager at Maximal Concepts on her wine list at the recently launched The Aubrey and her love of riesling and Champagne.

Jules Bensacq 28 50 wine restaurant

Uncorked: Jules Bensacq

By Joe Lutrario

The Bordeaux-born group head sommelier at 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen studied viticulture at Château La Tour Blanche in Sauternes and has worked alongside some of France’s best known winemakers.

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