Alex LaPratt recently became a Master Sommelier, and the co-owner of Brooklyn’s Atrium Dumbo stopped by SommChat on twitter to talk about his first mentor, why by-the-glass programs matter, custmoer service, balance on a wine list, and finished with some philosophy about success. Oh, and revealed what wine he opened to celebrate earning the title of Master Sommelier!
First mentor:
@SandyWasserman @keepercoll It was Madeline Triffon MS from Michigan when I was 19 at a resturant call Morel’s a Michigan Bistro #SommChat
— ALEX LAPRATT (@AlexLaPratt) June 4, 2014
Only two bottles?
@Van_Marshall @keepercoll 1966 Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Auslese and 1996 Henriot Cuvee des Enchanteleurs #sommchat
— ALEX LAPRATT (@AlexLaPratt) June 4, 2014
Are you down with BTG?
@keepercoll A by the glass list is the most important part of many programs. It’s the criteria by which I judge a wine program… #sommchat
— ALEX LAPRATT (@AlexLaPratt) June 4, 2014
Customer Service 101:
@wolfeswines @keepercoll because no one cares how much you know if you can’t make someone feel special or taken care of #sommchat
— ALEX LAPRATT (@AlexLaPratt) June 4, 2014
Master Somms? Human.
@demilove @keepercoll high alcohol, highly oaked reds and high acid neutral variety whites are very difficult to tell apart.. #sommchat
— ALEX LAPRATT (@AlexLaPratt) June 4, 2014
I love this parlor game:
@fernandobeteta @keepercoll probably Andre Tchelistcheff! But maybe that’s the patriot in me! #sommchat
— ALEX LAPRATT (@AlexLaPratt) June 4, 2014
Easy on the Poulsard!!!
@drinkportuguese @keepercoll important to have grapes/regions on it that guests know. make a balance between hand sell wines .. #sommchat
— ALEX LAPRATT (@AlexLaPratt) June 4, 2014
In conclusion:
@keepercoll @vinjohnragan “If you want to travel quickly go by yourself. If you want to travel a great distance go as a team.” #sommchat
— ALEX LAPRATT (@AlexLaPratt) June 4, 2014
