Zelda Molenaar
Oct 11, 20213 min
Updated: Apr 12, 2023
A weekly interview series about the work and dedication of sommeliers from all around the globe. After winning the World best young sommelier 2019 Chaine de Rôtisseurs award, Matteo graduated as Master Sommelier in 2021. Matteo shares his experiences working as a wine director at Edition, London.
Matteo Montone : ‘’Every time I achieve something important, I first try to convince myself that I have arrived somewhere. However, as you said, the outcome is the opposite. The achievement will actually fuel my next goal! It is a permanent learning process, never stop. ”
When the Covid pandemic started in the UK and we all ended up 24 hrs at home (especially in the hospitality industry) I took this opportunity – despite inevitable stress due to the uncertainty of the moment that we were living – to continue studying and investing any spare time on it. For this reason, I decided to buy a good amount of wine samples so that I could do tastings on a daily basis.
I also attended as many Zoom masterclasses as possible (we all received so many invitations at the time!) and continued training with other sommeliers remotely.
First of all, I must say, my wife’s role was fundamental. We need support throughout the journey. It might sound harsh, but this was my only focus along with family and children. I didn’t have any spare time for anything else. My advice, focus on your goals.
This answer is naturally following from the previous one. Tobias had himself a family and one of the things I certainly learned from him is focus and dedication, but not only.
Tobias showed me how everything starts from the floor – many young sommeliers rush to become buyers or ambassadors in 6 months, but first, you need to lay the foundations and this is a long process. My experience with him at the Ritz made me an impeccable sommelier, wine service became one of my strengths.
After 4 years at the Edition, in May 2021, I took on a new challenge which I am very happy with. I am now a 365 Wine Consultant, I really enjoy doing wine judging, wine education, wine tastings, and masterclasses.
Definitely. Every time I achieve something important, I first try to convince myself that I have arrived somewhere. However, as you said, the outcome is the opposite. The achievement will actually fuel my next goal! It is a permanent learning process, never stops.
My secret regarding blind wine tasting is, do not taste blind only. If you only taste blind you miss the foundations which comparative tastings can offer. My advice, do as many comparative tastings as you can in order to understand and make yours all the different wine’s characteristics.
Non-alcoholic wine is one of those. Most importantly, Etna wines have become a big trend amongst the somm industry and are striking its consumer target too.
I haven’t been traveling during the pandemic, at all. I do miss my vineyards, I miss meeting wine producers. The first region I will visit again is Langhe (Barolo and Barbaresco) – I am actually flying to Italy in two weeks' time.
Source: Matteo Mantone
As I said, it is a permanent learning process, and I am always keen to embrace new challenges. Yes, I am working on a new achievement, I hope I will be able to share it soon.
Kathrin Larsen, has been supporting my journey since the very beginning.