The South African Sommeliers Association (SASA) came together in 2010 with a group of like-minded wine professionals that wanted to elevate the level of service in the South African Hospitality industry… the second largest employer in the country. Certifying sommeliers is our priority. We want guests to know the sommelier behind the bottle has hand selected each wine for the guests' enjoyment that perfectly pairs with specific tastes, dishes, and of course, within budget. Sommeliers strive to know the stories behind the wines to bring the bottles to life. With unfettered access to great wines across the country, we wanted to give you an insight into why sommeliers love what they do and some of their favourite wines when not on the job!
Port2Port and the South African Sommeliers Association (SASA) are joining forces to bring you a selection of fine wines, educational guides, and insider opinions from some of the country's most talented sommeliers and industry professionals.
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𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗲, 𝗦𝗔𝗦𝗔 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 | @sfondaumiere
What is your definition of a sommelier?
"A sommelier bridges the gap between the consumer and the wine in different settings. In a restaurant setting, based on a guest’s tastes and the food they are eating, a sommelier will recommend a wine that will make what started as a good experience, a great experience. In a retail or shopfront setting they will, based on taste and budget, recommend suitable wine to shoppers, the more familiar they get with their customers' tastes the easier it becomes for them to sell them wine. In a commercial environment, they can help develop a wine stylistically to best suit the customer's palette, from a sales perspective they can tell the story of the brand and from a marketing setting they can help develop the story of a brand in a way that appeals to customers. Finally, in a journalistic setting, they can report on wine with different lenses from that of a consumer, a producer or just an enthusiast as their experience touches on all three."
Three wines you're drinking right now?
"Brookdale Estate Mason Road Syrah 2021, Super Single Vineyards Heritage Saamloop 2021 and Neil Ellis West Coast Sauvignon Blanc 2022"
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𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗮, 𝗦𝗔𝗦𝗔 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 | @shane_mumba
What is your definition of a sommelier?
“A sommelier, in my opinion, aids in enhancing the wine and beverage operations of a restaurant or any other hospitality establishment. They create the wine list based on the ambience and cuisine, make suggestions for food and wine pairings, work closely with the chefs and suppliers, and follow proper serving protocol. And most important, keep up with trends and have an extensive knowledge of food and wine to elevate the gastronomic experience.”
Three wines you're drinking right now?
"Kara Tara Chardonnay 2021, Glenelly Lady May 2016 and Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Merlot 2017"
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𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗶 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗠𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲, 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 (𝗝𝗛𝗕) 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮
What is your definition of a sommelier?
"A sommelier is a wine professional focusing on wine service, beverages, and food pairings in a restaurant or hospitality environment. It’s one of the oldest professions, dating back to the early 19th century, and Sommeliers used to be responsible for the King’s or Nobleman’s food and wines during their journeys."
What is a sommelier there for?
"To guide and educate guests and people about the history and subtleties of all sorts of beverages, especially wine and food pairings. Most importantly we are there to listen to the requirements and needs of our guests and be empathic with them, performing the sequence of food and beverage service always adapting to the needs and personalities of guests."
What are they not there for?
"Sommeliers are there to provide a valuable service, not to boost sales of an establishment or rip off guests."
Three wines you're drinking right now?
"Domain de La Grosse Pierre 2021, Burn Cottage 2018 Pinot Noir Central Otago and Normandie Eisen & Viljoen 2016"
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𝗥𝗼𝘅𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗸, 𝗔𝗽𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆
@roxanwaldeck | @apeirogonyouth
What is your definition of a sommelier?
"The definition of a sommelier on the restaurant floor is to curate an experience for the guest, using the meal and the wine as the vehicle for their experience. Their role is to inspire the guest to explore the region or greater country the wine and cuisine are from as both speak of place and belonging. The role of a sommelier in the industry is to celebrate and promote the country of the wine’s origin. By sharing their theoretical knowledge combined with their own experience of exploring the winelands, they illuminate all parts of the industry: agriculture, tourism, art, history and culture. We are, essentially, unraveling wine, paying homepage to everything that has brought it into existence."
Three wines you're drinking right now?
"Paul Cluver Estate Chardonnay 2019, Bruno Paillard Premiere Cuvee NV and Keermont Terrasse 2019"
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𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗮, 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 | @mathobelakatlego
What is your definition of a sommelier?
“A sommelier is a person that is responsible for sourcing wines, suppliers and the wine list for restaurants and hotels. They are there to guide customers through the wine list and help them choose a wine that suits their tastes, preferences and budget. Our aim is to help you discover more about the wine world, different styles of wine and variety – if you prefer something you know, advise a different direction that is similar but not the same.”
Three wines you're drinking right now?
"Bouchard Finlayson Crocodiles Lair Chardonnay 2021, Klein Constantia Riesling 2017 and Kleine Zalze SMV 2019"
