Interview With A Sommelier – Sabino Iacobone

The World of Wine is beautifully showcased by an army of talented Sommeliers, who help the consumer discover their next favourite bottle, understand the different regions and pair a delicious meal with the right Glass of Bubbly.

In this feature, I speak with a man from Bangkok, Thailand, who has helped many people to discover the vast world of Wines and Sparkling Wines, his name is Sabino Iacobone, let’s find out about his life as a Sommelier.

Tell Us About Yourself

“Ciao, I’m Sabino Iacobone from Puglia, south of Italy. I’m 29 years old and I’ve been working in hospitality from my early teens.

I’ve been working in London for 4 years in a Private Member Army Club in Mayfair as a sommelier, I even got to serve Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and the Royal Family at a few private dinners.

In 2018, I moved to Bangkok Thailand, and for the past 5 and half years I’ve been working as Hotel Head Sommelier at Lebua Hotel and Resort, which included 4 restaurants (2 restaurants with 2 Michelin stars each (Chef’s Table and Mezzaluna) and 6 bars including 2 Champagne bars on the 64 floor.

But now I have my new adventure as Hotel Head Sommelier of Capella Hotel in Bangkok where we have the restaurant Cote by Chef Mauro Colagreco, I’m super excited about this new challenge.”

Do You Remember Your First Experience With Sparkling Wine? When It Was And What Kind Of Wine It Was?

 Oooh yes, in Italy usually during Christmas and New Yesr Eve with the family dinner, to celebrate we drink Spumante Dolce or Prosecco and Panettone (typical Italian dessert for Christmas) I was a young kid when my family let me try just a bit of this spumante dolce, but to be honest, I didn’t really like it.”

What Inspired You To Become a Sommelier?

“I have always been around my grandfather’s vineyards and wines in Puglia, but to be honest I got inspired to become a sommelier, when I actually moved to London, where I got a chance to taste some really good bottles of wines and Champagne, and there it started the passion and motivation to start studying to become a sommelier after my graduation in hospitality school in Italy.”

During Your Time As A Sommelier, What’s The Most Surprising & Interesting Thing You’ve Learnt?

“I’ve been through many interesting, surprising and funny moments, but the thing that I’ve learnt, is that you need to be always up to date, keep studying and tasting wines and be open mind with the new upcoming wine regions, new types/styles of wines, and that’s the beauty of the wine world, that you never stop learning, and there are always new staff to learn and always new bottles to try and drink, and don’t forget passion and discipline are the keys.”

What Sparkling Wine Producing Countries or Regions Hold A Special Place In Your Heart?

“Maybe I’m too classic, but the region that holds a special place in my Heart is Champagne.”

Where’s The Most Memorable Place You’ve Enjoyed A Glass of Bubbly?

“I’ve been a few times to the Champagne region, but the place that I’ve enjoyed a Glass of Bubbly the most, was a few years ago in Hong Kong in a Michelin star restaurant and we opened a bottle of Champagne Jacques Selosse ‘Initial’ a Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut.”

Thank you, Sabino, for sharing your words, knowledge and experiences with us and we at Glass of Bubbly wish you the very best for the future!

Images belong to Sabino Iacobone. Glass of Bubbly was granted permission, to use them.