F & B
Valle de Guadalupe region of Mexico to make signature wines for the resort — but those aren ’ t listed with the 700-plus other wines on the menu .
“ I always look for people who enjoy full-bodied wines and then I explain our wine to them , and it wakes up their curiosity ,” Alvarez says . “ Not everyone would like this wine , and someone who is a pinot noir fan , for example , might order it just for curiosity , but it wouldn ’ t be to their taste . I didn ’ t want to create the chance to disappoint a guest , not because of the quality of the wine , but because the wine isn ’ t what they ’ re looking for .”
The Meadowood Resort and Spa in Napa Valley , California , offers wine education classes , events with winemakers , and excursions tailored to guests ’ interests with estate sommelier Monica Danotti . She tries to learn as much as possible about their preferences .
“ They think they just don ’ t like Chardonnay , but what was the particular wine you didn ’ t like , and let ’ s talk about what you didn ’ t like about it ,” she says . Guests often take a sensory evaluation class about wine at the beginning of their stay . “ It ends up becoming a discussion of what they like and haven ’ t liked , and what they should try . It ’ s just about listening to the guest and taking it where they want to go ,” Danotti says .
At the Immigrant Room in The American Club , Garcia says he usually brings guests choices . “ Sometimes , people think of sommeliers as car salesmen , trying to sell them the most expensive bottle ,” he says . “ I bring three bottles , talk about each one and why it fits the profile of their likes and the food they ’ ll be eating , and then the customers basically vote on the one they like the best , and people love it .”
Very often , the customers will come back on another night to try one of the wines they didn ’ t select , Garcia says .
Tamilselvan says that he recently added kosher
The Meadowood Resort and Spa in Napa Valley , California , offers a sensory evaluation class to help guests determine what they like and want to try during their stay .
40 hotelsmag . com March 2020