This Vancouver Wine Director Tastes Upwards of 200 Bottles a Month

"At the stylish Vancouver steakhouse I can tell wine is central to the meal the moment I walk in: a stunning floor-to-ceiling cellar occupying a corner of the dining room holds about 7,000 temperature-controlled bottles with dedicated areas for whites and sparklings, large formats and wines that need another year or two before they’re ready. Franco Michienzi, Elisa’s wine director and this year’s MICHELIN Guide Vancouver Sommelier Award winner, tastes 200 to 300 wines a month and curates a global list he says he’d personally want to drink when dining there, favoring small producers and unique regions while not shying away from prestigious labels. Burgundy is a special focus because it pairs beautifully with Elisa’s menu from seafood to roast chicken and steaks, but the list is kept approachable with options at every level and room to explore—from an uncommon Slovenian Merlot to a classic Brunello di Montalcino. A current favorite pairing is a Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Rosé with the bison tartare (served with a cured egg and bright pickled ramps); Michienzi describes the wine as racy and fresh, with light red fruit that cuts through the tartare’s richness and makes him immediately want another bite." - admin