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Top UK young sommeliers: part 6
Casting our gaze to the north of England, db meets the sommelier at one of the UK’s biggest supporters of Portuguese wine.
Adam Pawlowski from Northcote Manor
Adam Pawlowski, 24, from Northcote Manor, Lancashire
Was there a particular wine or wine “epiphany” which made you choose this career?
There was no one moment, I’ve always liked wine and been involved in the industry as my parents ran a pub that was attached to the house. When I arrived in the UK about four years ago, where wine is more accessible and affordable, I tried to get to know more about it. I did a WSET course, I wasn’t a sommelier at the time, then I applied for jobs as a sommelier and I was called back to work as assistant sommelier at Northcote. It has become a big passion.
Are there any parts of your current list that you’re particularly proud of? We champion Portuguese wines, and have probably the biggest selection in the country. There are 40 wines from Portugal, including Ports, out of our 400 bins.
Which wine styles or regions are exciting you at the moment and why?
I think it is quite interesting how Chile is developing; there and other areas where you can get really good value for money with top quality. Wines from Hungary – dry Tokajis are really interesting at the moment, they’re something different to Sauvignon Blanc and very food friendly.
What’s the key to being a successful sommelier?
A passion for wine and for the industry, and you have to work hard to be successful. I think the more you put into it the more you get out of it. There’s no easy way, you have to study and work hard and learn something every day. You have to be humble and have fun.
What do you drink on your days off?
Probably white or light red wine. I really, really like Austrian Grüner Veltliner at the moment. It has nice acidity and lovely balance. And Pinot Noir from Burgundy.
The full collection of sommelier profiles appeared in the drinks business October on-trade report, Eat.Drink, or you can click the options below to see who we’ve profiled so far: