There he labored for Vinhos Justino Henriques for seven years, earlier than transferring into the hospitality business, first as a wine waiter in five-star accommodations after which as a sommelier. In 2013, Rustem moved to the UK and has labored at high institutions together with Gidleigh Park in Devon. He’s at present head sommelier at five-star lodge Cliveden Home.
Rustem Mingaleev profile picture credit score: AJG
My first memorable wine expertise
It must be working on the Vinhos Justino Henriques vineyard, on the island of Madeira. I had the good fortune to be a part of the group throughout a interval of serious transformation. We established the vineyard from scratch, establishing gear akin to presses, barrels, chrome steel tanks with temperature management methods and a bottling line. I realized quite a bit throughout this time. My preliminary sources of data have been Oz Clarke’s Wine Atlas, and Decanter and Wine Spectator magazines, which we had in our workplace. I keep in mind spending my breaks studying them on daily basis.
My go-to on a regular basis wines
I’m a giant fan of Pierre Gimonnet Champagne. Cuis 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs is my go-to on a regular basis wine.
My favorite grocery store purchase
Dry Hungarian Furmint.
My most embarrassing second at work
Essentially the most embarrassing events happen once I serve a uncommon, costly wine, solely to search out it’s defective. I as soon as needed to pour a £3,000 bottle of Montrachet Grand Cru from a famend producer down the sink as a result of it was oxidised.
Pet hate
When my friends lose their enthusiasm and keenness for the hospitality business. It’s an atmosphere that’s fast-paced and ever-changing, for positive, however I discover this retains issues thrilling.
My desert island meals and wine pairing
Doubtless, recent oysters with zero-dosage Champagne.
Finest meals and wine match at my restaurant
At Cliveden Home we’re at present providing a dream pairing: roast breast of duck, endive salad with cranberries and mandarin matched with Domaine Rossignol-Trapet’s Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2020.
My fallback fast after-work meal and wine match
A collection of cheeses (goat, Camembert and Brie) with a glass of Sancerre.
Most happy with on my record
Aside from the Bordeaux first growths, we now have verticals of Coulée de Serrant from Nicolas Joly, Sassicaia, Magma from Frank Cornelissen, and Barca Velha.
The wine on my record that by no means fails to shock friends
Cervaro della Sala from Antinori. Many friends haven’t tasted a premium Italian white wine earlier than. This was one of many first Italian whites to bear malolactic fermentation and ageing in barriques – it’s a posh wine, with nice ageing potential.
Wines I’d keep away from ordering from a restaurant wine record if I used to be eating out
Excessive-alcohol reds or overly fragrant whites.
Don’t underestimate the significance of…
Serving temperature. If a wine is served on the unsuitable temperature, it will probably considerably have an effect on one’s enjoyment of it, regardless of the grape selection or model.
Wine model I’m most enthusiastic about
Dry Furmint from Tokaji in Hungary. I had a chance to style a variety of Furmints from completely different plots and vintages at Szepsy. It was superb.
Wine area that provides the best worth for cash proper now
Portuguese wines have at all times provided price-value ratio and are actually underappreciated.
My favorite wine area to go to
Tuscany. The mixture of nature, artwork historical past, meals and wine makes it very particular. Florence is one among my favorite locations and I at all times attempt to get to restaurant Il Palagio, within the 4 Seasons lodge.
