Three years later, Reinstaller joined Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London (additionally two Michelin stars), the place he labored with Stefan Neumann MS and Vincenzo Arnese for almost 5 years. Throughout this time, he was promoted to assistant head sommelier, and achieved the SSA Grasp Sake Sommelier title. In 2021, he moved to Trivet (two stars) as head sommelier, passing the Grasp Sommelier Superior examination the identical yr. In 2023, he joined the opening group of Raffles London on the OWO as the pinnacle sommelier for Mauro Colagreco.
Philipp Reinstaller profile {photograph} credit score: Koray Firat
My first memorable wine expertise
One in every of my earliest and most impactful wine moments occurred a few decade in the past, after I loved the 1987 classic Pinot Bianco from Cantina Terlan. I loved it at Miil, a restaurant in Trentino-Alto Adige. The freshness and vitality of the wine astonished me.
My go-to on a regular basis wines
I’ve a line-up of go-to wines that I take pleasure in commonly. My high 5 bottles for the time being are: Sattlerhof, Eichberg Sauvignon Blanc, Styria, Austria 2022; Kumeu River, Village Chardonnay, Auckland, New Zealand 2022; Strehn Blaufränkisch Rosé, Burgenland, Austria 2023; Thymiopoulos, Xinomavro Jeunes Vignes, Naoussa, Greece 2021; and Cosse Maisonneuve, Le Combal, Cahors, France 2019. These wines characterize a really perfect spectrum of vibrant flavours and areas.
My favorite grocery store purchase
The Te Muna Highway Pinot Noir 2019 from Craggy Vary in Martinborough, New Zealand, is a standout. [UK supermarket] Waitrose usually has it in inventory it at round £25, and it affords a fantastically balanced, fruit-driven expression of Pinot Noir with refreshing acidity.
My most embarrassing second at work
I as soon as managed to half undress a visitor by chance whereas serving to them to take away their coat. To make issues worse, it occurred on the desk quite than on the restaurant entrance!
Pet hate
Sommeliers who overcomplicate wine for friends or attempt to make it about themselves are an actual pet peeve. I consider a sommelier ought to improve the eating expertise, not overshadow it.
My demise row request
I’d most likely skip the wine and go for one thing a bit stronger – inexperienced chartreuse Tarragona. Paired with a Hong Kong-style French toast, it’s an indulgence I’d like to savour to the top.
Finest meals and wine match
At my restaurant proper now, I’m notably keen on our pairing of pink oak lettuce with smoked haddock and a heat vermouth and cockles sauce, served alongside the Vinmouth Blanc 2021 made by 4 Ever Wine. The extraordinary, savoury notes of the sauce and the fragrant, subtly candy vermouth flavour come collectively fantastically, making a harmonious and memorable match.
My fallback, fast after-work pairing
For a fast and satisfying chunk, I often simply repair a plate of cheese and charcuterie. I’ll select two wines to pair it with: François Rousset Martin’s La Chaux Chardonnay 2018 from Côtes du Jura for the cheese, and a glass of Domaine Jamet, Côtes du Rhône 2019 to enhance the cured meats.
Wine I’m most happy with on my record
We not too long ago acquired some Puligny-Montrachet Les Enseignères 2022 by Camille & Guillaume Boillot – their first classic – and I’m thrilled to have it on the record. It’s a wine I’m genuinely enthusiastic about.
The wine on my record that by no means fails to shock friends
Our Grüner Veltliner Lust Elafonisi 2020, crafted by Clemens and Lukas Strobl in Austria’s Wagram area, all the time catches friends off guard. It has a touch of pores and skin contact and prolonged lees ageing, making it an unconventional Grüner. Friends are constantly shocked by its versatility, particularly when paired with our pumpkin, sage and monkfish dish.
Wines I’d keep away from on a restaurant record
Half-bottles will be tough – they often develop too shortly. I desire providing a broader choice of wines by the glass as an alternative.
Area that excites me most
In the meanwhile Kakheti in Georgia has my full consideration proper now. I’m an enormous fan of amber wines, and after visiting Georgia final yr, I’m much more captivated by the area’s wealthy custom, exceptional hospitality and distinctive wines.
What I actually don’t take pleasure in consuming
For me, steadiness is essential. Any wine missing concord, no matter grape or fashion, doesn’t enchantment to me.
The wine areas that supply the very best worth for cash, in my opinion
Vinho Verde in Portugal, Naoussa in Greece and Kakheti in Georgia are producing distinctive wines at nice worth. Moreover, I consider that Madeira and Sherry stay underappreciated for his or her range and high quality.
My favorite wine area to go to, and my go-to spots as soon as I’m there
A dream day journey would begin in Porto with a bifana [a traditional Portuguese pork sandwich] and a Tremendous Bock beer at Conga, a well-known restaurant situated within the coronary heart of the town, adopted by a refreshing Port and tonic by the river. I’d then spend the remainder of the day within the Douro valley. On the way in which again, I’d cease at O Gaveto, which has views over the Douro river, for seafood rice with some aged Niepoort Coche – an ideal finish to the day.
