Interview With A Sommelier – Simone Vergamini

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 article, I speak with a man who has helped many people to discover the vast world of Wines and Sparkling Wines, his name is Simone Vergamini, let’s find out a bit about his life as a Sommelier.

Tell Us About Yourself

“I live in the countryside close to Lucca, in Tuscany, and I became a sommelier in 2012. I won an important competition for sommeliers and I got 3rd place in 3 different editions of Best Italian Sommelier. I’m the owner of Wineafterwine, a wine blog and at the same time the name of my company, where I offer different services like wine tastings and tours, wine selections and wine education. In 2018 I created a small online wine shop called Uvaggio.”

What Inspired You To Become a Sommelier?

“Wine and food have been my passion since I was a young boy. In 2010 I decided to enroll in a course for sommeliers organized in Lucca and this decision has changed my life completely. Thanks to the AIS, the most important sommelier association in Italy, I’ve received the right teachings and the best inspirations to become a good sommelier, constantly hungry for new knowledge.”

How Often Do You Find Yourself Recommending English Sparkling Wine?

“The special terroir of southern England offers the best condition to get wonderful sparkling wines. I’ve tasted different English Sparkling Wines and when there is the opportunity I like to propose some of them to my guests.”

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

“During my professional career, I created several menus where the different courses have been paired with sparkling wines and I think we can create incredible solutions by selecting the right label. Champagne is typically more complex and richer thanks to the traditional method, but I think it’s possible to find very interesting and gastronomic Prosecco, produced by small winemakers and especially the “sur lie” versions, able to give us a nice matching opportunity.”

What Advice Would You Give Aspiring Sommeliers?

“Be humble, curious and never stop learning! I think it’s very important to study every day thanks to the infinite resources available on the web and most importantly books. When you have free time to discover new territories and visit wineries, it’s absolutely fundamental. Never feel like you’ve arrived!”

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

“In general I love to pair Blanc de Blancs (from zero dosage to brut) with starters and first courses where the crustaceans are protagonists, but I consider the marriage with pizza sometimes really excellent. I’m a lover of fresh and mineral wines, so talking about Italian territories I consider the Trento DOC area absolutely one of the best in Italy.”

Thank you, Simone, 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 Simone Vergamini. Glass of Bubbly was granted permission to use them.