Interview With The Restaurant Manager and Head of Beverage at Pophams – Lia Temple

The World of Wine is presented to the hospitality world by talented professionals, whose mission is to help the consumer discover their next favourite glass of bubbly by choosing from a perfectly crafted wine list.

In this feature, I speak with a woman from London, England, who has helped many people to discover the vast world of Wines and Sparkling Wines, her name is Lia Temple, let’s find out a bit about her life as the Restaurant Manager and Head of Beverage at Pophams.

Tell Us About Yourself & How You Became Involved In The Hospitality Industry?

“I spent a large chunk of my childhood in Sydney, a place that has incredible roots in hospitality and where you’re constantly surrounded by great food, coffee and of course, wine. This passion for hospitality is something that stuck with me when I moved to the UK. I began my career working in speciality coffee and eventually gravitated towards learning more about wine and mixology. I’m lucky enough to have the opportunity to combine all of these passions in my current role at Pophams.”

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

“Growing up, sparkling wine was always the default wine in our house, and this is where my initial fascination with wine began. My mum is a huge lover, particularly of Cava, so it’s likely that my first ever taste of wine was something sparkling.”

During Your Time As The Head of Beverage At Pophams, What’s The Most Interesting Thing You’ve Learnt?

“We offer an incredible selection of handmade pasta at Pophams, and one of the more interesting things has been learning all about the vast history and origins of pasta, and how our executive chef Phil King plays homage to this in his dishes, all while giving them a modern and seasonal twist. This will often lead to a discussion on wines and what would pair best with each dish. We also sometimes use these wines in the dishes themselves, creating a symbiosis between the pasta and the wine.”

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

“I’m very fond of some of the wonderful Pét-Nats coming out of Austria, my love for which has stemmed from Pophams’ relationship with Loimer and their incredible offering. They strike the perfect balance between a refined sparkling and a bit of something fun in my opinion.”

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

“I think the one that sticks out most to me is Christmas Day last year in Mexico City. I was straight off a flight and reunited with old friends. We knew that the entire trip would revolve around tequila and mezcal, so we brought some Champagne over from the UK and Australia to celebrate our reunion, and enjoyed it on our balcony overlooking the festivities.”

Additional Question for Champagne Collectors – What’s The Oldest Vintage Champagne You’ve Tasted?

“I’ve definitely had some duds along the way with corked bottles that haven’t aged too well, but the oldest vintage I’ve tried that still tasted great was a 2006 Krug. Delightful!”

Thank you, Lia, 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 belongs to Lia Temple & Pophams, Glass of Bubbly was granted permission, to use them.