Somm; slang for Sommelier. A somm is a wine waiter, cork sniffer, glass polisher, writer of wine lists and explorer of wines.

Ever wondered exactly what a Sommelier (suh-mal-’yAy) does? Our Head Sommelier, James Boden will be hosting four interactive sessions focusing on what it is to be a Sommelier. The “Somm for a Day” series will cover different aspects of the job while exploring six of James’ favourite Australian wines in each session.

Session 1: The Basics - February 14 I 1:30-3pm
This session will look at the basics of working as a Sommmelier: from opening different bottles, how and when to decant, to navigating common questions asked by customers and how to select the perfect wine. Try six wines during the session and come prepared to participate!

Session 2: How to Taste Wine I February 28 I 1:30-3pm
One of the most fun but important parts of a Somm's job is tasting wine. In this session we will be looking at six different wines, while learning how to taste wine in a structured format. Apart from the structured tasting, this will be a relaxed session discussing the different tastes and smells to look for, as well as enjoying some delicious wine.

We will be looking at three styles of wine with comparisons between old world (France and Germany) and new world (Australia) for each bracket.

Riesling
German Riesling – 2017 Robert Weil Turmberg Riesling Rheingau, Germany

Australian Riesling – 2020 Castle Rock Estate Riesling Great Southern, WA

Pinot Noir

French Pinot Noir – 2018 Domaine De Bellene Bourgogne Rouge Maison Dieu Vieilles Vignes Burgundy, France

Australian Pinot Noir – 2017 By Farr ‘Sangreal’ Pinot Noir Geelong, VIC

Bordeaux Blend

French Bordeaux Blend – 2014 Vieux Chateau des Rocs Lussac St-Emillon, France
Australian Bordeaux Blend – 2016 Mount Mary ‘Quintet’ Yarra Valley, VIC

It will be a great look at similar wines from different regions as we take a structured look at each wines.

Session 3: Blind Tasting I March 14 I 1:30-3pm
Do you fancy yourself a blind tasting expert or do you want to learn how to blind taste wine? In this session you will learn the tricks on how to pick a variety or style, how to conduct a blind tasting and how to taste and guess (hopefully correctly or at least confidently) what the wine you are tasting is. This session includes six blind tastes.

Session 4: Food and Wine Pairings I March 28 I 1:30-3pm
Have you discovered Ottolenghi and started experimenting with Harissa? In this session we break down food and wine pairings into individual components. You'll try six different styles of wine, paired with a variety of different ingredients that will assist in looking beyond 'Steak with Shiraz' to a wider range of pairings.