Wine as a profession … and hobbies. Interview with the Training Manager of alcohol

Heroes, which interviewed a blog about wine “picturesque, like the characters in the films Almodovar. flamenco dancer , “shark” of Internet business , and now – a man who teaches others the art of wine tasting. Perhaps France and Italy, these people are called “maestro.” In Japan – “Sensei”. And we have somehow “training manager”. Meet: Aleksey Tyurin, training manager for alcoholic range of Luding.

- Alex, let’s first attack stereotypes and prejudices that are associated with your profession. What are they?

Come on. Stereotypes – are predictable. A person learns, what is my job, and concludes: yeah, so important – tasting, read – the free and frequent access to alcohol. Then everything begins to smile, smile, obviously representing some kind of feast and perpetual hangover. But for me this work, we can say the usual routine (though work is very nice – always wanted a hobby became a profession!).


Of the prejudices, the most common misconception is that all foreign wines in Russia fake.

In general, my job is not just “drink”. I spend a lot of training events (internal and external), explain the rules of wine tasting. In addition there is a huge theoretical work – the preparation of methodological literature, plus communication with suppliers and manufacturers of alcoholic products. By the way, within the company such as I referred to as “teacher”.

How did you become such a teacher?
And I used them was.
By education I am – a teacher, a teacher of foreign languages (French and English). Interest in wine came “naturally” while learning at the Institute of French culture, literature and language. For there (in France) are all inextricably linked! And on the front pages of French newspapers publish no news secular interiors, no scandals, passion-cheeky-disaster, and the news catering and views on the future Millesime, news relating to persons from the kitchen, or winemaking (article “Joel Robyushon opened a new restaurant” side by side with the article on visit of President of the Republic abroad, etc.).

Gradually learned more about the different wine regions and wines produced there. Then (in 1997) was a first trip to France as a tourist, shopping and wine tasting (at that time just consumption) wines of this country. And then – gone, gone. He worked as a bartender, was a seller-kosultantom (sommelier) in the Primer of Taste “, and then sales manager of elite alcohol for restaurants. And all this time, the theory has underpinned the practice – tastings, seminars, master classes … I soon realized that the sale – it’s not mine, I would like to talk about the wines, to transfer their knowledge to others.

A field practice?
Extensive! Several visits to the vineyards of France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Champagne, Bordeaux … I will never forget the classic supper, which gave the owner of the castle (chateau) Citran Mr. Merlot in our honor – calf thymus, saddle of lamb, various cheeses … um, and to each his own wine, naturally.

In his blog, we often write about such a relatively young practice as a “wine tourism”. Can you give readers a little insider tour?

I have had the experience of visiting vineyards in private – in the Languedoc, as well as a group (about 10 people, it was in Bordeaux). So, I think I can some advice.

And if themselves made wine, which would have settled?

I think that still would have chosen the region of Languedoc-Roussillon (even with unlimited possibilities). An ideal place to stay and wine production. Also attracts Italy (still “terra incognita” in terms of visits to me) – would have been interesting experiments with autochthonous Italian varieties anywhere in Liguria.

What kind of wine you gave to your beloved’s birthday and what would be – a good friend? What would like to receive a gift of yourself.

First and foremost, I would know the tastes of these people.

Now inclined to such a thought. For the chosen one – a bottle of good Champagne (millezimnogo or prestige cuvée, such as from Billecart-Salmon or with Ja quesson), with an eye to drink it together.

For a friend – a bottle of good (“live”) Burgundy his year of birth. For example, Pommard Epernot 1976 Latour from the site English site www. antique-wine.com worth 64 pounds, I think, not so much.

My favorite style (in red) – this is a good Pessac – Leognan. Very attractive, but not limited to, mineral flavor and tone of cedar. So I will be immodest – never tried Haut-Brion (as an option, happily agreed to its neighbor, La Mission Haut – Brion, especially as it perhaps too soon to become Premier cru class é). Loved the white – it’s Italian Gavi (like from Batasiolo, number 1 in my classification is more or less accessible wines), the French Sancerre and Pouilly-Fyume, Austrian Gruner. Agree on a box of any of them.