Interview With A Sommelier – Gaetano La Rocca

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 who has helped many people to discover the vast world of Wines and Sparkling Wines, his name is Gaetano La Rocca, and let’s find out a bit about his life as a Sommelier.

Tell Us About Yourself

“I’m Gaetano La Rocca, Sommelier at Therasia resort Sea & Spa in Vulcano Island. I am a Sicilian guy who transformed his passion into a job!”

What Inspired You To Become A Sommelier?

“I was working in a little restaurant as a waiter in my city when the owner approached me and make me curious about wines, then I started my studies.”

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

“I’ve learned a lot, but the thing that most surprised me was that there’s no prefixed pairing, now I love to find the most surprising pairing not just with wines but also with cocktails and other types of alcohol.”

How Often Do You Find Yourself Recommending English Sparkling Wine?

“Working in Sicily it’s very hard to find English sparkling wines, so I always love to find something new to recommend and I think English sparkling wines would be a perfect recommendation to try something different!”

In Your Professional Opinion, Out Of Champagne And Prosecco, Which Do You Think Does A Better Job With Complementing A Meal?

“They are so different, so I think it depends on what you’re eating, I usually prefer Prosecco with an aperitivo, then the Champagne for the full meal”

What Advice Would You Give Inspiring Sommeliers?

“I would say try something different every day, you have to taste anything you can. Don’t stay with your beliefs, everything evolves, and everything changes!”

If You Sat Down For A Quiet Dinner, What Dish And Sparkling Wine Would You Choose To Enjoy Together?

“Hard to find just one dish! But I would say that risotto with shrimp and cream of almonds would go perfectly with Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 2009 Trento DOC! Just my favorite! Cheers!”

Thank you, Gaetano La Rocca, 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 Gaetano La Rocca. Glass of Bubbly was granted permission to use them.