Pascaline Lepeltier

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Welcome to #SommChat everyone! Tell your friends to join us to learn from Master #Sommelier @plepeltier talking about #wine and more!

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: We’d like to introduce you to Master #Sommelier @plepeltier #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: We're about ready to dive in w/questions, so shout out to Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier to say hello & so she knows you're here! #WineWednesday #SommChat

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: Hello ! Very happy to be on #SommChat today

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Don't forget that EVERY tweet during this chat should include the #SommChat hashtag in order for everyone to see it!

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: As we ask @plepeltier our Qs, you can ask Pascaline your Qs as well! She'll do her best to answer all Qs in the order they come #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: W so many participants lots of gr8 Q's R asked! Even if u dont ask 1--give a S/O 2 @keepercoll & @plepeltier 2 let us know u R here! #SommChat

enobytes wine @enobytes: I’m finally able to make it...well, at least for 15 minutes!!

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Let's start talking #wine with @plepeltier #WineWednesday #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: @plepeltier How did you start in the #wine business? #SommChat

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: After studying philo, worked in restaurants, got the bug, a glass of Yquem 37 sealed the deal #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm you have had such success in creating #wine lists at UR restos. Can you share some things about your approach to #wines to put on lists for BTG and bottles @plepeltier

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: Have your point of view and express it without losing out of sight the restaurant finances, the pleasure of the guests & the education of your staff #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm you are known for your love of #loirevalley #wines. Can you share how you got this region passion and tips on how to study this area and learn for blind tasting @plepeltier

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: I am biased on the Loire, I grew up there near Savennières - yet I realized how great it was when I arrived in NY (such a diversity & quality for value!) ... 1/2

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: To study the Loire u need 2 break it down in the main subregions - Pays Nantais / Anjou Noir / Saumur / Touraine / Centre / Auvergne: they have their own personality. For blind my advice is taste wines farmed properly and made with indigenous yeasts and little additives #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: @plepeltier How have you seen the #wine world evolve since being in this industry? #SommChat

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: It opens like crazy with dedicated producers pushing the limits! more open-mindness from the guests. The quality of wines has never been that high, yet we need to continue to push for #realwine #realfarming to be the norm and not the exception + we need more women! #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm how do you approach Staff training for #wine and how often do you train? Is it difficult to find floor staff in #NY @plepeltier?

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: I believe in daily training by tasting with my staff everything we can, talking about it. Weekly wine class and they need to prep and study. And yes it is difficult in NY to find staff... #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Congrats on being the first woman ever to win the title of “Best Sommelier of France” in November 2018. Can you share the journey to win this and how you trained for the competition @plepeltier

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: Thanks a lot!! I trained for 2 competitions in the same time in fact - « Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France » and the Best French - each helping the other one. I prepared for 18 months or so - daily written & oral blind tasting (in French and English), 1/2 #SommChat

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: 2/2 bi-weekly practical, theory at least 2 hours per day, a lot on French culture, gastronomy, art, etc. + coaching with top mentors @GerardBassetOBE @ArvidRosengren @pazlevinson @veroniquerivest + stage practices + meditation & running... #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm you have worked with many #Chefs over the yrs. Do you change your #wine lists to adjust to the Chef’s cooking? What is best approach to making a #wine list work with different styles of food @plepeltier ?

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: I always worked with chefs with an interest in wines, making more delicate food than robust so the core of the list did not change too much. The BTG always does, also depending on season. My motto is diversity of structure but farming comes first in my choice. #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm how do you manage the schedule of tasting with reps @plepeltier? Do you only allow them to bring #wine you ask for? Do you taste the #wines blind?

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: My reps are great and know what I am looking for. They bring me wines when I need to (re)taste (without abusing). And when they come with new wines they know all about it & know it can interest me. And yes when I can I like to taste blind #sommchat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm what do you think participating in competitions does for you and/or your career @plepeltier? Will you stop with these honors or do you plan for more?

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: Curiosity and the desire to keep up in this ever-evolving wine world! But the #MOF was a dream of mine, the idea of excellence with transmission in France is fantastic @MOF_COET . Now I need to work & live every day to this honor! And for the future yes maybe #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm wow on the prep for the competitions - sounds like a full time job @plepeltier!!!! How did you manage this rigorous schedule and FT work as well?

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: You need to be organize and need to consider your FT job is part of the training and vice versa! I had a great team @RacinesNYC to support me but I including a lot of my prep into the daily work at the restaurant. Yet you still need to be focus and rigorous. #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: @plepeltier when you are not working in the #wine biz, what do you like to do with your free time and what do you like to drink other than #wine? #SommChat

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: Still not a lot of free time yet, and it is winter so a lot of movies + I am reading quite some philosophy now. Come the spring tennis & hopefully more surfing when the water will get warmer! Other than wine, I LOVE Belgian Sour Beer & @chartreuseliq #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll:Q fr #SommChat #Somm what attributes and skills do you look for in #wine floor staff @plepeltier? Are there things that aspiring #Somms can do on their own to help in acquiring exceptional skills to work with someone of your caliber?

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: I look for passion, genuine restaurant hospitality, humility, curiosity- not that easy to find! #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @plepeltier In your opinion, what are some of the most versatile #grapes in #wine and why?

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: That’s a very vast question. Would say not overly aromatic grapes which do well in cooler, long growing season climate - #chenincheninchenin of course, Riesling, Pinot family, Syrah come to mind immediately, but a lot more that are less known like manseng 1/2 #SommChat

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: 2/2 A lot of grapes got forgotten after phylloxera and the industrial replanting & we start to rediscover them. They may also be solutions for the climate change issues (as also the hybrids can be) - sure there are some very versatile among them #forgottengrapes #sommchat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: @plepeltier can you describe the vibe of @RacinesNYC to our #SommChat followers around the world? What is #NYSeve like?

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: @RacinesNYC is a cool, down-to-earth wine restaurant with Michelin level food (Chef Paul Liebrandt is in the kitchen until NYE)! 2400 + references of wines, great jazz music! NYE will be bubbly! & 2019 we will welcome our new Ex. Chef (I am very excited!) #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @plepeltier What are some of the top #wine regions you have traveled to in your career? Where do you want to go that you haven’t yet? Any U can suggest on a smaller budget?

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: Top regions: all France (of course but it is so true!), Republic of Georgia, Madeira, Canarias, Galicia, NZ Southern Island, Victoria, Valais // Need to go to: Tuscany, Friuli/Slovenia, Swartland, Tokaji // Budget: France if you do it well can be pretty cheap! #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: @plepeltier do you thin your studies and interest in Philsophy complement your #wine career and if so how? #SommChat

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: Yes I deeply believe so because Philosophy is the art of questioning to create concept with endless curiosity - a very helpful way to try to understand the wine world! Not taking things for granted and assume the responsibility that goes with the job #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm what are your some of your fav #wine books for expanding #wine knowledge @plepeltier? What #wine book would you like see written that has not yet been done?

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: All the @jamiegoode books, @JancisRobinson work is necessary, in French J.Chauvet, E.Peynaud, C.Bourguignon, and all the Editions Tonnerre de l’Est + @lerougeetleblanc & @theworldoffinewine magazine + the @alicefeiring Feiring Line #SommChat

Bradbury Kuett @bbkuett: Peynaud: Je lui ai demandé c’est quand la meilleure heure pour déguster le vin? Réponse: A l’heure des messes quand la bouche, Elle est fraiche. @stjeandubarroux @KermitLynchWine

Saint Jean du Barroux @stjeandubarroux: Alors à la prochaine pour vérifier cela @bbkuett ;) Et en attendant, le meilleur pour 2019 :)

Bradbury Kuett @bbkuett: Le vigneron et ses cuvées @EuropeanCellars

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm what would say is your customer mix @RacinesNYC i.e. local vs tourist and how would you describe the difference in their approach to buying #wine off your list @plepeltier

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: We have a fantastic mix of guests which is really great! Each table is different w/ wine lovers or just neighbors, local, from all over. Humility is key, listening 2 them whatever their interest, budget, their. They rule you don’t - which keeps me on my toes #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @plepeltier What is a day in your life working look like?

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: 9am checking emails, admi work at home, I am a managing partner so don’t do only wine. At the restaurant between 12 & 2, prep for service, check wine delivery, update website, prep events, taste. 4 family meal, 5 bar opens, 5.30 line up, 6 dining room opens, 1am out. #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm what is your approach to #wine pairing lists for your menus - is it more affected by wanting to maintain a certain price or by best wines for the food @plepeltier?

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: Always best wines in the budget ;) - it forces me to think outside the box, and let to some of my best pairings #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @plepeltier do you have opinion about whether #Socialmedia has had a positive or negative affect on #wine and what is your approach to managing social media for you and for @RacinesNYC ?

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: #socialmedia has an impact and will have so your use make it good or bad. For wines it speeds up everything. And we have to adapt! As wine is about duration and time! For @RacinesNYC and me, try to put things that are unique to us and we are standing behind! #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm how do you find new #wines for your list? Do you look at lists around the world or do your trusted reps help in this quest @plepeltier?

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: As much as I can I do my own research, I am lucky to travel in vineyards and to exchange with vignerons. @chambersstwines and us work hard to fine new producers! But there are also great importers doing a top job @LouisDressner @SelectionMassal @dpolaner etc. #sommChat

Selection Massage @SelectionMassal: Thanks @plepeltier !

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: Keep the great work guys!

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm if you were not working in #NYC where would be a dream place to work in the #wine world? Have you made #wine or do you want to @plepeltier?

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: NY is my dream city as a sommelier! To move it will be to make wine, and in the #loirevalley for some #chenincheninchenin :)! But I am having a blast with @nkendall making @chepikawine upstate NY. A natural wine with organic hybrids grapes

#chëpìka #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @plepeltier where are the #wines located that are most consistently purchased by customers @RacinesNYC

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: We are selling a lot of French, mostly #champagne #burgundy #northernrhone #provence #corsica #languedoc & of course #loirevalley - with more than 450 références of Loire. But most important 75% of them are #organic #biodynamic #natural #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm now that the competition is over, what do you do with the time now available that was filled with study prep @plepeltier?

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: Ha ha ha! I reorganized my apartment :)! There will be a lot of changes @RacinesNYC this early year so I am preparing them ! And I am working on other projects ( like seminars, ;))+ I will start to train again early 2019. #SommChat #nodowntime

Francois LACROIX @FRACLA49: And visit Des Halles et des Gourmets with the french press ?

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: Oui :)

Francois LACROIX @FRACLA49: The french press, en français ça veut dire @FRACLA49 !

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Time to wrap up! Hope you enjoyed this hour of #wine talk with @plepeltier #WineWednesday #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: It was great to have Pascaline @plepeltier join us today for #SommChat. We hope everyone learned as much as we did! #WineWednesday

Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier: Thanks for having! It was a great #christmas treat :)! Happy holidays to you all with a lot of beautiful bottles of #realwines! To a great 2019 vintage! And don’t hesitate to come say hi @RacinesNYC! #SommChat

Keeper Collection @keepercoll: Please join us in thanking Master #Sommelier Pascaline Lepeltier @plepeltier for her time #SommChat