Definition and Sommelier - Bar Management Zone

We Asked 18 Sommeliers: What’s the Most Overrated Red Wine? (2025)

VinePair

AUGUST 7, 2025

Here are the most overrated red wines, according to 18 sommeliers. Taylor Weston, sommelier, bōm , NYC ”Not necessarily ‘overrated’ per se, but definitely overplayed: another Southern France carbonic maceration red blend. Consult your sommelier or wine shop steward.” That is to say, you won’t.”

Sommelier

Sommelier Wine Bottling Alcohol

We Asked 11 Bartenders: What’s the Best New Rye That’s Earned a Spot on Your Bar?

VinePair

NOVEMBER 14, 2024

Helmed by Andre Mack, a renowned sommelier and winemaker, Rye & Sons is an exciting approach to rye from a wine perspective. Joseph Ehrmann, mixologist and owner, Elixir , San Francisco “ Angel’s Envy Rye has definitely earned its place here at Lindens!

Bartending

Bartending Bartender Bar Head Bartender

We Asked 12 Bartenders: What’s the Most Underrated Bar Tool?

VinePair

DECEMBER 19, 2024

It’s definitely not a newfangled gadget, but the fine-mesh strainer is a practical all-in-one workhorse. Bernadette James, sommelier and bartender, The Living Room , Dover, N.H. Its definitely an atomizer. In a pinch, it can be a scoop for things like olives or cherries. Ash Miyasaki, bartender, The Let’s Go!

Bar Tools

Bar Tools Bartending Bartender Bar

We Asked 12 Wine Pros: What ‘Cult’ Wine Is Actually Worth the Hype?

VinePair

JUNE 10, 2025

That’s why we asked top sommeliers and beverage directors from across the country to share the wines they think stand above their “cult” status as truly incredible in their own right. Nick Walters, sommelier, Eleven Madison Park , NYC “My pick here is anything from Klaus Peter and Julia Keller in Germany’s Rheinhessen.

Wine

Wine Sommelier Bottling Club

The Four Horsemen Turns 10: How the Brooklyn Bar Changed the Natural Wine Scene Forever

VinePair

JULY 23, 2025

The area definitely wasn’t as replete with natural wine bars as it is today. A decade ago, Williamsburg was in an in-between era — on the verge of reaching peak Smorgasburg but not yet succumbing to the modern conveniences of Whole Foods.

Wine

Wine Bar Nightlife Sommelier

Why Wine Service Sucks Right Now (but Doesn’t Have To)

VinePair

MARCH 7, 2025

The Only the Somm Can Touch the Wine Rule Plenty of people have been frustrated by restaurants where ONLY the sommelier is allowed to talk about, open, or even look at the wine. Instead of a polite explanation, the server very condescendingly said, We definitely do not we focus on natural wine. Lets dig in. But why do places do this?

Wine

Wine Sommelier Vodka Hospitality

After Decades of Growth, Could Sliding New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Sales Spell Trouble?

VinePair

MAY 6, 2025

Theres a definite style that combines delicious flavors that are easy to understand at a price point that doesn’t break the bank, Sanders says. Lots of sommeliers do not take the category seriously at all, Sanders says. It all started with Cloudy Bay and then just kept growing.

Wine

Wine Sommelier Bottling

Has the Title ‘Master Sommelier’ Become a Paradox?

VinePair

DECEMBER 9, 2024

Master Sommelier. After the unexpected sensation of the original SOMM film , the elite title bestowed by the Court of Master Sommeliers upon a tiny set of hospitality industry obsessives has gone from obscure insider jargon to the wine world equivalent of celebrity status. Are you a Master Sommelier?

Sommelier

Sommelier Wine Hospitality Alcohol

Kölsch Crush: The Crowd-Pleasing German Ale Finds a Fresh Following

Imbibe Magazine

JUNE 11, 2025

Having a low-alcohol beer as your flagship is definitely more desirable.” Servers “must keep an eye on the room to see, and know, everyone who’s drinking kölsch,” says co-owner and sommelier Hugo Jacques, who collaborated with Quebec brewery Les Grands Bois on a custom kölsch.

Craft Beer

Craft Beer IPA Beer Pilsner

We Asked 17 Wine Professionals: What’s Your One Bucket-List Bottle?

VinePair

JULY 17, 2025

The production is so small, and apparently so special, that this would definitely be on my bucket list.” ” —Cedric Nicaise, sommelier / co-owner, The Noortwyck , NYC “There are of course endless wines out there that I would kill to get a taste of, most of which I will probably never lay my eyes on let alone drink.

Bottling

Bottling Wine Sommelier Club

The Mount Rushmore of Oregon Pinot Noir, According to 8 Wine Experts

VinePair

JULY 1, 2025

Jefferson Cuvée” Pinot Noir: Wine & Spirits Magazine conducts an annual poll of restaurant wine buyers and sommeliers to get stats on which regions/grapes/producers are selling in various markets. Fruit from the Knudsens was instrumental in helping create an entirely new category of Oregon wine. Cristom Vineyards “Mt.

Wine

Wine Sommelier Bottling

The 32 Best Pinot Noirs for 2025

VinePair

JUNE 11, 2025

This wine was definitely made with happy grapes and skilled hands. Average Price: $72 Rating: 94 See Review SOM (State Of Mind) Eola Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023 SOM (State Of Mind) is a collaborative project from a group of winemakers, sommeliers, and vignerons. The nose is filled with earth, cherries, and rhubarb.

Wine

Wine Bottling Brandy Sommelier

“You’ve got to be distinct” – Hambledon on importance of brand building in English wine

Just Drinks

JUNE 24, 2025

English is very interesting to people, and that’s at every level, from [sommeliers] to buyers representing groups to influencers globally. English is still at a very different stage obviously to other wine regions. JO: I’ve been doing a lot of traveling in the last six months.

Wine

Wine Hospitality Sommelier Bottling

We Asked 20 Sommeliers: What’s the Most Underrated Wine? (2024)

VinePair

MARCH 7, 2024

Seeking expert advice, we asked sommeliers for the overlooked and underappreciated bottles, grapes, and wine styles they are currently coveting. The Most Underrated Wines, According to Sommeliers: Muscadet Vermentino Wine made from the native grapes of Portugal Pinot Gris Chenin Blanc from the U.S. Rosé Champagne!

Sommelier

Sommelier Wine Aperitif Bottling

We Asked 7 Sommeliers: What’s the Most Overrated Red Wine?

VinePair

JULY 30, 2024

We asked seven sommeliers to find out which red wines, from the classic to the culty, get more buzz than they deserve. Jonny Thompson, bartender and Level 2 sommelier, sap sua , Denver “I assume it’s a failing of mine, but I’m baffled as to the popularity of certain red wines from the Canary Islands amongst wine professionals. .

Sommelier

Sommelier Wine Alcohol Bitters

We Asked 20 Sommeliers: What Red Wine Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck?

VinePair

MARCH 28, 2024

To help you resist decision paralysis and narrow down your choices, we asked sommeliers for the splurges they deem worthy and the under-the-radar deals within this mammoth category. Eduardo Dingler, sommelier, vice president of wine access and wine/spirits consultant, Kembara and Makoto Vail , Phoenix, Ariz. and Vail, Colo. “I

Sommelier

Sommelier Wine Bottling Bar

5 to Try: Orange Wines

Imbibe Magazine

DECEMBER 5, 2023

Despite its ancient roots and modern popularity, orange wine still lacks a legal definition and currently remains categorized under white wine. Sommelier Doreen Winkler leaned into the former, launching the first orange wine subscription service in 2019.

Wine

Wine Sommelier Bottling Beer

We Asked 13 Sommeliers: Which Merlot Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck?

VinePair

OCTOBER 14, 2024

Emmeline Zhao, partner and sommelier, Figure Eight and Cora , NYC “Land of Saints is made by winemaker Angela Osborne from the Santa Barbara wine region. Definitely over-delivers for the $17 price point!” It’s ready to drink and hits way above its price tag.” It’s bright with juicy, red fruit. Thirst-quenching Merlot?

Sommelier

Sommelier Wine Bottling Club

A New Wave of French Wine Bars

Imbibe Magazine

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

Molly Wismeier, sommelier and co-owner of MaMou in New Orleans. Photo by Michael Mantese Molly Wismeier , a Food & Wine Sommelier of the Year with more than 30 years of experience, has had a front-row seat to the rapid evolution in the French wine world. Photo by Sam Hanna Photography MaMou bar.

Wine

Wine Bar Sommelier Inventory

We Asked 14 Wine Pros: What’s the Best Red Wine for Beginners?

VinePair

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024

We asked 14 sommeliers and wine professionals to share their thoughts on the bottles that can get the ball rolling for the red wine newbie. Definitely. Lily Stagg, sommelier and general manager, MaMou , New Orleans “Pinot Noir is light, smooth, and bursting with cherry and raspberry flavors. Here’s what they had to say.

Wine

Wine Sommelier Bottling Alcohol

GSN Review: All The Bitter N/A Cocktail Bitters

Good Spirits News

JULY 15, 2024

All The Bitter makes classically inspired cocktail bitters using organic, functional ingredients free of alcohol, full of flavor, and designed by Michelin-trained sommeliers. I would go so far to say that these are more akin to dark cherry bitters, but in that definition, they excel.

Bitters

Bitters Sommelier Alcohol Bartending

Introducing The Latin American takeover series at Viajante87

The Cocktail Lovers

JANUARY 23, 2024

In March, it’s time for Costa Rica to shine with drinks from Costa Rican Selvática Social Club and food from chef, writer and sommelier Diengo Chou. We had long conversations about what we loved the most and missed most about the region, and with culture and people, it’s definitely their food.”

Sommelier

Sommelier Club Bar Mixologist

The Next Era of Spanish Wine Starts Now

Imbibe Magazine

JUNE 11, 2024

And with a push from savvy importers, knowledgeable sommeliers, and curious customers, that type of Spanish wine is only now beginning to percolate onto zeitgeisty wine lists. (If That’s definitely one of our selling points—one of the things that makes us unique.” Tobey cites the vermouths as a particular highlight for him.

Wine

Wine Bar Sommelier Club

We Asked 12 Bartenders: What’s the Best Scotch for Beginners? (2024)

VinePair

OCTOBER 29, 2024

Colleen Kelly, director of food & beverage/mixologist/sommelier, Bernardus Lodge and Spa , Caramel Valley, Calif. Christian Millwood, director of food and beverage, Park Terrace Hotel , NYC “If you’re just starting out with Scotch, I’d definitely recommend either Glenmorangie 10 or Glenfiddich 12.

Bartending

Bartending Bartender Mixologist Rum

We Asked 13 Bartenders: Which Cocktail Do You Wish People Would Order More? (2024)

VinePair

OCTOBER 8, 2024

Heather Blanchard, lead bartender, Virgin Hotels , New Orleans “I definitely wish more people ordered the Paloma ! Colleen Kelly, director of food & beverage, mixologist, and sommelier, Bernardus Lodge & Spa , Carmel Valley, Calif. “In It’s such an underrated cocktail.

Bartending

Bartending Bartender Gin Rum

15 Winemakers to Watch in 2024

VinePair

JANUARY 15, 2024

But these 15 winemakers are definitely ones to keep an eye on in 2024. She first fell in love with wine while waitressing at a small restaurant in South Carolina, then proceeded to work as a sommelier, wine director, marketing and export assistant, and even started her own importing business called Hootananny Wines.

Wine

Wine Sommelier Bottling Club

Interview with moderato Co-Founders Fabien Marchand-Cassagne and Sebastien Thomas

Dry Atlas

AUGUST 28, 2024

They also reveal how they’re winning over both skeptics and sommeliers, while expanding the accessibility of wine for those who wish to enjoy the experience without the effects of alcohol. I was impressed to see that your Cuvée Revolutionnaire was described as “baffling” by a top sommelier in France. ST: Definitely.

Sommelier

Sommelier Alcohol Wine Promoter

What is Non-Alcoholic Wine?

Dry Atlas

JUNE 5, 2024

There are good dealcoholized wines and bad products made with somewhat similar techniques to ours (some of the 100 blends we’ve made definitely qualify!). But ascribing a certain quality to one method or suggesting that one method tastes “more like wine” is frankly just kind of reductive and lazy. Do Proxies taste like wine?

Alcohol

Alcohol Wine Sommelier Beer

I Tested Over 40 Booze-Free Sparkling Wines. Here’s What I Thought.

Dry Atlas

MAY 15, 2024

This Sparkling Tea (0% ABV – 150mg Caffeine per 1L) was developed by the award-winning Danish sommelier Jacob Kocemba. Will definitely repurchase this. Definitely one of my favorite non-alcoholic bubbles! Fortnum & Mason Sparkling Tea Produced and bottled by the Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company. Bubbly Rating : 8.5/10

Wine

Wine Alcohol Aperitif Bottling

We Asked 19 Sommeliers: What’s the Most Overrated Wine? (2023)

VinePair

DECEMBER 18, 2023

Sommeliers often put their personal wine preferences aside when making recommendations to guests to ensure they’re getting exactly what they are looking for. Thibault Dubreuil, sommelier, Eli’s Table , NYC “When it comes to red wines, one of the most overrated and oversubscribed grapes is Cabernet Sauvignon.

Sommelier

Sommelier Wine Bottling Alcohol

We Asked 20 Sommeliers: Which Wine Do You Wish People Ordered More? (2024)

VinePair

AUGUST 27, 2024

In the spirit of adventure and looking to add a little thrill to our collective drinking experiences, we polled 20 sommeliers for the underappreciated, unconventional, and sometimes overlooked wines that deserve our attention. Roderick Williams, bar manager and certified sommelier, Smoked , Columbia, S.C. “I

Sommelier

Sommelier Wine Hospitality Bottling

We Asked 20 Sommeliers: Which Burgundy Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck? (2024)

VinePair

JANUARY 25, 2024

They are definitely worth seeking out.” Jenna Isaacs, sommelier, Rustic Canyon , Santa Monica, Calif. Cyrus Schultz, sommelier, Cyrus Alexander Valley , Geyserville, Calif. “Is Randall Middleton, sommelier, Esters Wine Shop & Bar , Santa Monica, Calif. Supe versatile from a pairing aspect, too!”

Sommelier

Sommelier Wine Hospitality Bottling

North of Atlanta, the Tides Are Changing for Georgia-Grown Wine

VinePair

MARCH 17, 2024

There is definitely a shift with native grapes. Grapes Bred for Bottling Bakshi says she’s noticed a definite shift to hybrid varietals in the past 10 years as wineries and vineyards gain the reputation, experience, funding, and footing to experiment — and vouch for them as tried and true. Education, they all agree, is the key.

Wine

Wine Bitters VIP Sommelier

We Asked 17 Bartenders: What’s the Best New Scotch That’s Earned a Spot on Your Bar?

VinePair

MARCH 19, 2024

Could definitely be considered a gateway into a vast category of spirits. Definitely a great option for the everyday consumer with an excellent price point for an exceptional whisky.” ” —Jack Zarecky, beverage manager and sommelier, St. I’d say Oban 14. I visited their distillery and ate (and drank) this pairing to death.”

Bartending

Bartending Bartender Bar Bar Manager

We Asked 22 Sommeliers: What’s Your Go-To Wine to Gift?

VinePair

DECEMBER 11, 2024

Whether the aim of a bottle is to seem in the know about new wine trends, or about historically popular grapes and regions, a sommelier can help identify the right bottle. To smooth the holiday wine-buying this year, we asked 22 sommeliers to recommend their favorite wine to gift. Chris Ray, sommelier, Lutce , Washington, D.C.

Sommelier

Sommelier Wine Bottling Liquor

We Asked 14 Sommeliers: What’s the Most Underrated Sauvignon Blanc? (2024)

VinePair

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

In order to expand your palates and inspire more adventurous drinking, we reached out to 14 sommeliers to hear what bottles, regions, and producers they think are underrated when it comes to Sauvignon Blanc. ” —Giovanni Tallu, head sommelier, Beaverbrook , Surrey, England “Austrian Sauvignon Blanc without a doubt.

Sommelier

Sommelier Wine Bottling Hospitality

We Asked 10 Sommeliers: What Bottle Is a Green Flag When You See It on a Wine List?

VinePair

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

Curious which regions or winemakers sommeliers look for? Evelyn Goreshnik, wine director, Found Oyster , Los Angeles “My husband and I go out a lot and we are always thrilled to try a new place in Chicago or when we are traveling, but we definitely look at the wine list before we decide to commit to dinner.

Sommelier

Sommelier Bottling Wine Bar

We Asked 15 Wine Pros: What’s Your Go-To Bargain Wine? (2025)

VinePair

FEBRUARY 14, 2025

Mark Watten, sommelier, La Zozzona at the Grand Hyatt , Scottsdale, Ariz. ” Nader Asgari-Tari, wine director, ZURiTO , Boston “The world of wine is bursting with fantastic values from unassuming regions, and the crisp whites from Portugal can definitely surprise. Its ridiculously affordable and always a crowd-pleaser.

Wine

Wine Sommelier Aperitif Bottling

The Most Underrated Wines for 2025, According to 20 Wine Pros

VinePair

MARCH 13, 2025

To learn more about which wines are criminally underappreciated, we asked sommeliers and wine professionals from across the country to share their opinions. ” Erin Lindstone, sommelier, Barolo Grill , Denver Andreas Kontozisis and his partner Aphrodite Tousia are organic growers and winemakers in Karditsa, Greece.

Wine

Wine Sommelier Bottling Aperitif

We Asked 16 Wine Pros: Which Pinot Noir Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck? (2024)

VinePair

DECEMBER 3, 2024

” —Paul Botamer, master sommelier and wine director, Fearing’s Restaurant , Dallas “ Silent Way Pinot Noir , from husband-and-wife team Matt and Tamara Harrop from cool-climate Victoria, Australia. is definitely a great go-to for exceptionally made Pinot Noir that is reasonably priced. Willamette Valley, Ore.,

Wine

Wine Sommelier Bottling Bar Manager

What to Drink in NYC Right Now (November 2024)

VinePair

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

We loved sommelier Keara Driscoll’s recommendation of the Rico Nuevo Flor de Albihar, made from the obscure Albillo grape in Spain’s Sierra de Gredos region. Khosla’s new list at Field Guide definitely doesn’t disappoint. Start with a bottle of Champagne from the well-curated and competitively priced selection.

Happy Hour

Happy Hour Gin Wine Sommelier

11 Drinks Trends to Look Out for in 2025

VinePair

DECEMBER 8, 2024

While Guinness is already an iconic brand, with a history going back to the 18th century, the Ireland brewery is definitely having a moment right now. While many sommeliers have long pushed to feature sake alongside wine on their menus, it seems like the concept is finally starting to stick. In 2025, we expect this trend to go global.

Shooter

Shooter Wine Bar Club

We Asked 15 Bartenders: What’s the Best New Bourbon That’s Earned a Spot on Your Bar? (2025)

VinePair

MARCH 24, 2025

” Lauren Campbell, lead bartender and whiskey sommelier, Bings Bar , Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. This one definitely stands out. Flavor-wise, this cask strength drinks easily despite its high proof, with a sweet nuttiness and long finish that unfolds beautifully when sipped slowly or stands up in a spirit-forward cocktail.”

Bartending

Bartending Bartender Bar Whiskey

Is This Once-Iconic Portuguese Wine’s Affordability Now Its Biggest Problem?

VinePair

FEBRUARY 17, 2025

Being next to the capital, if theres a curiosity of visiting, you can do that in a day trip and back, says Lisbon-based Pedro Ramos , former Michelin-starred sommelier and current commercial manager for Clarets Portugal. Premiumization is definitely the way forward. Geographically, its just not a fair fight.

Wine

Wine Sommelier Mixology Alcohol

We Asked 18 Sommeliers: What’s the Most Overrated Red Wine? (2025)

We Asked 11 Bartenders: What’s the Best New Rye That’s Earned a Spot on Your Bar?

Trending Sources

We Asked 12 Bartenders: What’s the Most Underrated Bar Tool?

We Asked 12 Wine Pros: What ‘Cult’ Wine Is Actually Worth the Hype?

The Four Horsemen Turns 10: How the Brooklyn Bar Changed the Natural Wine Scene Forever

Why Wine Service Sucks Right Now (but Doesn’t Have To)

After Decades of Growth, Could Sliding New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Sales Spell Trouble?

Has the Title ‘Master Sommelier’ Become a Paradox?

Kölsch Crush: The Crowd-Pleasing German Ale Finds a Fresh Following

We Asked 17 Wine Professionals: What’s Your One Bucket-List Bottle?

The Mount Rushmore of Oregon Pinot Noir, According to 8 Wine Experts

The 32 Best Pinot Noirs for 2025

“You’ve got to be distinct” – Hambledon on importance of brand building in English wine

We Asked 20 Sommeliers: What’s the Most Underrated Wine? (2024)

We Asked 7 Sommeliers: What’s the Most Overrated Red Wine?

We Asked 20 Sommeliers: What Red Wine Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck?

5 to Try: Orange Wines

We Asked 13 Sommeliers: Which Merlot Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck?

A New Wave of French Wine Bars

We Asked 14 Wine Pros: What’s the Best Red Wine for Beginners?

GSN Review: All The Bitter N/A Cocktail Bitters

Introducing The Latin American takeover series at Viajante87

The Next Era of Spanish Wine Starts Now

We Asked 12 Bartenders: What’s the Best Scotch for Beginners? (2024)

We Asked 13 Bartenders: Which Cocktail Do You Wish People Would Order More? (2024)

15 Winemakers to Watch in 2024

Interview with moderato Co-Founders Fabien Marchand-Cassagne and Sebastien Thomas

What is Non-Alcoholic Wine?

I Tested Over 40 Booze-Free Sparkling Wines. Here’s What I Thought.

We Asked 19 Sommeliers: What’s the Most Overrated Wine? (2023)

We Asked 20 Sommeliers: Which Wine Do You Wish People Ordered More? (2024)

We Asked 20 Sommeliers: Which Burgundy Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck? (2024)

North of Atlanta, the Tides Are Changing for Georgia-Grown Wine

We Asked 17 Bartenders: What’s the Best New Scotch That’s Earned a Spot on Your Bar?

We Asked 22 Sommeliers: What’s Your Go-To Wine to Gift?

We Asked 14 Sommeliers: What’s the Most Underrated Sauvignon Blanc? (2024)

We Asked 10 Sommeliers: What Bottle Is a Green Flag When You See It on a Wine List?

We Asked 15 Wine Pros: What’s Your Go-To Bargain Wine? (2025)

The Most Underrated Wines for 2025, According to 20 Wine Pros

We Asked 16 Wine Pros: Which Pinot Noir Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck? (2024)

What to Drink in NYC Right Now (November 2024)

11 Drinks Trends to Look Out for in 2025

We Asked 15 Bartenders: What’s the Best New Bourbon That’s Earned a Spot on Your Bar? (2025)

Is This Once-Iconic Portuguese Wine’s Affordability Now Its Biggest Problem?

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