Interview With A Sommelier – Eniko Dub

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 woman from, Hungary, who has helped many people to discover the vast world of Wines and Sparkling Wines, her name is Eniko Dub, let’s find out about her life as a Sommelier.

It’s Great To Speak With You Eniko, Can You Tell Us A Little About Yourself?

“I am Eniko, a Hungarian but Vienna-based ex-sommelier, wine writer, and wine content creator, now working full-time on WinEncsy.

I started to work in hospitality in 2010 as a waitress in Hungary which brought me to an internship in Italy and then 5 years in France where I continued my studies as a restaurant manager. I was keen to see the World, hence my decision to move to London in 2016 which changed my life. I started my first sommelier course there and began work as a sommelier in Aqua Shard. 1.5 years later I completed my WSET 3 and changed jobs to a Michelin-starred restaurant, Angler, while finishing my CMS studies as a Certified Sommelier.

But I couldn’t stay longer in the UK, I was still interested to see the World, so we packed with my ‘back then’ boyfriend now my husband to see Australia and New Zealand. We stayed a couple of months in Tahiti, where I got my first job in a wine store.

After returning to Europe, the plan was always to settle down in Vienna, Austria. I started WinEncsy during my travels on Instagram and the blog while I was in Tahiti to get those far-away wine regions closer to a wine lover. I had a little break from the working environment during maternity leave but then I started to work for a wine web shop in Vienna.

Today, I am lucky enough to do what I love and spread the word about Hungarian and Austrian wines through WinEncsy.”

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

” I would say the best first experience I had was when we had a visit to Champagne de Castellane with my French school, this was the first time, I got to see a Champagne house and get to know the process of how Champagne is made.”

What Inspired You To Become a Sommelier?

“I always knew I wanted to move on from being a waitress and one of my chefs in France was a big wine lover, we were talking so much about wines, especially Burgundy and Bordeaux. He taught me a lot and I was always fascinated by the world of wines.”

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

“In short, there is much more a food and wine pairing than fish- white wine, and red meat-red wine. Sauces, garnish, and sweetness in desserts play a much more important role in pairing than the meat or fish itself.”

What Advice Would You Give Inspiring Sommeliers?

“Don’t get fooled, and be prepared, when you learn more and more and go deeper and deeper into studying wine, you will realize just how much you don’t know yet. It is a never-ending story of learning, exploring, and tasting.”

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

“Go back to Champagne de Castellane, the first time I had a glass of Champagne after the visit, the first time I really knew what I was drinking and how much work goes into making a bottle of Champagne.”

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

Photo Credit belong to Anna Besko, Glass of Bubbly was granted permission, to use them.