Congratulations to Juan Fernando Cortés of The Chastain, the MICHELIN Guide Atlanta 2023 Sommelier of the Year Award Winner, sponsored by Wine Access!
We discover Cortés' first experience with wine—it was when he was 5 and sipped his father's vintage—and how those early moments seeing the grapes stomped shaped his relationship with the grape. We also find out how Cortés learned from sommeliers how to think differently in relation to wine and what he's currently craving.
Below, the Colombia native shares his favorite wines, ideal meal pairings, and everything in between. Cheers!
How were you introduced to the world of wine?
My father made his own wine, so I started drinking at the age of 5 with dinner. I’m from Cali, Colombia so it wasn’t as frowned upon. It was awesome! He would stomp the grapes with his feet, place them in a barrel, and let it ferment. Then we would drink straight from the barrel’s tap.
How has your relationship with wine changed?
Since then, quite a bit. Earlier in my career, I was impressed by people, winemakers and sommeliers. People that were doing things new and different, breaking from tradition in a way. At this point in my career, however, I find myself being more impressed with people and wines that can remain true to tradition. Elevating them, but not necessarily re-inventing the wheel.
What are you drinking these days?
I drink Côtes du Rhône pretty much exclusively right now. Ask me again in a few months.
Favorite non-alcoholic drink?
Matcha lemonade. The Chastain makes them very craveable.
What’s your ideal meal and pairing?
I’m a sucker for a great Rioja and a delicious rack of lamb.
What’s the biggest misconception about being a sommelier, or wine in general?
That all sommeliers have good palates. Wine is always changing, so you can never know everything. A lot of guests we encounter in this industry expect me (or us) to know everything. I love that I’m always learning something new.
What’s your criteria for adding a new wine to your list?
If it falls in the center of a Venn diagram in my head for being delicious, interesting, and sellable, it gets added.
Favorite wine-related film, book, magazine, etc?
This show called 3 Sheets. You can still find it on YouTube I think.
Hero image: Laura Charon/The Chastain
Thumbnail: Courtesy of The Chastain
