Interview with a Sommelier: Matt Bostick, Nico Snyman, and Taylor Grant
Last week we got to schmooze with the hottest sommeliers in the world, at the Penfolds and GQ event, announcing the winner of their #bestdressedsomm contest. Oh, did we forget to tell you? They’re called somms now. We wined, we dined, we schmoozed and took selfies, but mostly we wanted to know: How do somms like to party? Here’s what we found out.
Taylor Grant, wine director at Scopa Italian Roots in L.A.
What bottle of wine would you bring to a dinner party?
Champagne, always. It works as a starter, with a steak, anything. I bring a different bottle every time.
What kind of food or snack do you most like to enjoy with wine?
I love Champagne and bacon. I call it Chambacon. We serve it in the restaurant, too.
If you could have a glass of wine with one person – living or dead – who would it be?
Madame Clicquot.
Nico Snyman, sommelier at Joel Robuchon Las Vegas
What bottle of wine would you bring to a dinner party?
Champagne. I want to drink it when I get there.
What kind of food or snack do you most like to enjoy with wine?
The oldest Comte cheese you can find with an old Chardonnay. It’s nice when food and wine come from the same region. That’s why oysters go so well with Chablis.
If you could have a glass of wine with one person – living or dead – who would it be?
It’s between Napoleon Bonaparte and Winston Churchill. Churchill came up with sabering Champagne. I think Churchill.
Matt Bostick, sommelier at Osteria Mozza in L.A.
What bottle of wine would you bring to a dinner party?
Sparkling. Bubbles go with everything. It’ll work even if your friend is a bad cook. I’d bring a Pierre Paillard Grand Cru Brut Rose.
What kind of food or snack do you most like to enjoy with wine?
A hard ripened cheese with some sort of compote.
If you could have a glass of wine with one person – living or dead – who would it be?
Hemingway.
Okay. We guess we’re showing up to our next dinner party with Champagne.