8/8/2019 Gilt Restaurant at New York Palace Hotel Wine Director Patrick Cappiello in New York Post

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Sunday, July 25, 2010Sunday, July 25, 20102 PULSE42 PULSESix of the citys hot,young sommeliers willhelp you get yourfull-bodied buzz on

PatrickCappiello

EmilyHerron29, Wine Director at FaustinaAdvice for ordering: Know what you can spend.I make sure to point out every price on the actuallist, says Herron, who studied at the AmericanSommelier Association before starting at Faustinain March. Its tricky because you dont want to insultpeople, but if its very expensive, you want them toknow. Favorite tipple:Recently weve sold a lot of Gavi[a white wine from Piedmont, Italy that sells for $45a bottle at Faustina], says Herron. Im also reallyinto red wines from the south of Italy.

37, Wine Director at GiltAdvice for ordering: The most important thingis not to be embarassed, says Cappiello, who earnedhis stripes at Tribeca Grill and Veritas before moving tothe two-Michelin-star restaurant in the Palace Hotela year and a half ago. It used to frustrate me [thatpeople stick to what they like]. But you know what?Sometimes I just want to have something I know,too. But have an open mind. Challenge me to find yousomething comparable to what you like."Favorite tipple: Thats like asking a parent who

their favorite child is! exclaims Cappiello. Right now,hes fan of Madeira, fortified Portugese wine, whichis available by the glass at Gilt for $17 or upwards of$125. Theyre very intense, he explains. I have to feelpeople out before I oer them.

BY KIRSTEN MATTHEW

WINE waiters in fancyrestaurants used to befusty old men in pen-guin suits with uppityattitudes. But thesedays, the citys bestsommeliers are young,

hip, utterly approachable and easy on theeyes, too.

The Post brought six of the citys finestyoung winos to Lower East Side speakeasyThe Back Room for a smouldering photoshoot, where sexy poses in dapper dress ruled.There, the smart (and sexy!) sommeliersmunched on grapes while swapping storiesabout their jobs. Heres what we uncorked.

ON PATRICK:Plaid dress shirt by Z Zegna, $270 at zegna.com; tie, $135 atpaulsmith.co.uk; skinny pants, $182 at eubiqny.com; leather belt, $198 atohnvarvtos.com; calfskin shoe, $498 at johnvarvtos.com. ON EMILY: Blacklace bustier dress from Nicole Miller Collection, $365 at nicolemiller.com;shoes, Emilys own. ON JARED:Kenneth Roberts shirt, $59.50 at bonton.com; Legacy jacket from Thomas Pink, $700 at thomaspink.com; FrenchConnection pants, $108 at frenchconnection.com; black dress boot from JohnVarvatos, $598 at johnvarvtos.com. ON KRISTIE:Gabriel tux dress fromThomas Pink, $270 at thomaspink.com; red Laura pump from Mixx shuz,$34 at lulus.com. ON AMANDA: Navy stretch satin dress by Nicole MillerCollection, $355 at nicolemiller.com; electric blue Laura pump from Mixx shuz,$34 at lulus.com.ON TAKAHIRO:Kenneth Roberts shirt, $59.50 at bonton.com; dogtooth reversible tie, $195 at canali.it; jeans, $275 at Paul Smith; leatherbelt, $125 at Paul Smith, 142 Greene St.; Oxford shoes, $168 at kennethcole.com.

dandy&Photo by Colin Douglas Gray; Hair and makeup by Jillian Halouska;Styling by Emma Pritchard, assisted by Ashley Christopher and ClaireAndrew; Shot at The Back Room, 102 Norfolk St, 917-796-0663.

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8/8/2019 Gilt Restaurant at New York Palace Hotel Wine Director Patrick Cappiello in New York Post

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KristiePetrullo

TakahiroOkada

JaredShepard

29, Beverage Director at DovetailAdvice for ordering:I can be most helpful when Iknow what guests like to drink and what they wantto spend, says Reade Sturgeon, who began her wino

days working for Thomas Kellers French Laundryrestaurant in Napa Valley. People are embarrassedto say their budget, so point to a price on the listrather than say [it out loud]. Favorite tipple: The former assistant winedirector at Mario Batalis Babbo loves EmidioPepes Montepulciano dAbruzzo from Italy. Theyage wonderfully,but theyre on the expensiveside (upwards of $435 a bottle!), so theyre not foreverybody. As an alternative, she suggests a 2004Italian Carema from Ferrando Etichetta Bianca,which costs a more reasonable $74.

31, Wine Director at Cra Advice for ordering: The more informationyou give us, the more we can find something foryou, says Petrullo, who also managed the winelist at Tom Colicchios fine-dining restaurantsince January, after stints at Eleven MadisonPark and Daniel. I am not here to talk them intobuying something they dont want. Favorite tipple:This summer Petrullo is tellingany diner who will listen about white wines from

Greece Im really impressed with what theyremaking, she says. Shes also really into Reislingfrom Ravensburg vineyard in Baden Germany.The Husarenkappe, a 2008 vintage, retails for $80a bottle at Craft. [Reisling] got a bad rap in the80s; it was seen as sweet with no complexity, sheexplains. Its not that at all. Its gorgeous, one ofthe best wines with food.

38, Sake Sommelier at EN Japanese BrasserieAdvice for ordering:Ninety percent of guestsask about dry sake, but for the average wine drinker,most sake tastes dry. So, instead, describe the taste

you like: smooth, light or heavy, says Okada, whomoved from Japan a decade ago. He took a job aDecibel, an East Village sake bar, before joining ENfive years ago. Favorite tipple: The most popular sake on ENsmenu is Dewazakuru Oka, but Okada prefers Jo KiGen, which is $68 a bottle and around $12 a glassat EN: Its super smooth, round, has a little bit offragrancy, and a slightly bitter aftertaste that makesyou want to eat something.

32, Wine Director at David Burke TownhouseAdvice for ordering: Having an open mindgoes a long way in the eyes of most sommeliers,says Shepard, who worked at other fancy hotspotsBouley, Danube and Gordon Ramsay at The Londonbefore settling in at David Burke Townhouse a yearago. I love when costumers challenge me to findthem something new and exciting. I appreciate acustomer who shows genuine curiosity and interestin wine, whether theyre spending $10 or $10,000. Favorite tipple:At the moment, I really like

Triennes Ros from Provence, says Shepard. Its acool project from two pretty important producersin Burgundy, has a beautiful pale pink color, greatacidity, and great aromatics. Its a terrific food wine,but just as good for quang and costs a reasonable$42 for a bottle.

AmandaReadeSturgeon

Dont ask for abucket of ice onceyour sakes opened.Its better left on thetable. If its too cold,theres no taste.

Theres alwaysone or twoknow-it-alls usually aman eagerto impress the

sommelier withhow much theyknow aboutwine.