@vinsordinaires

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Welcome to #SommChat everyone! Tell your friends to join us to learn about #wine from #Sommelier Parag Lalit fr #Chicago @vinsordinaires!

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: We're about ready to dive in w/questions, so shout out to #Sommelier Parag Lalit @vinsordinaires to say hello & so he knows you're here! #WineWednesday #SommChat

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

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: As we ask #Sommelier Parag Lalit @vinsordinaires our Qs, you can ask your Qs as well! He'll do his best to answer all Qs in the order they come #SommChat

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

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Let's start talking #wine with #Chicago #Sommelier Parag Lalit tweeting on @vinsordinaires! #SommChat

Jill Zimorski @jillzimorski: 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻Parag @vinsordinaires ! Glad to see you on #SommChat!

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: welcome back to #SommChat Jill and so excited to have Parag on today - thanks for your help in making this happen!

Jill Zimorski @jillzimorski: Glad to help! @vinsordinaires is one of the most talented Sommeliers I know! Was very happy to see him recognized as the #JeanBanchet Sommelier of the year for 2018 in Chicago! #SommChat

Parag Lalit @vinsordinaires: Thanks for the kind words Jill. I learn from the best, thanks for the support you have provided. #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm how would you describe the #Chicago #wine scene both from a consumer and #Sommelier sides and how long have you been there @vinsordinaires

Parag Lalit @vinsordinaires: #SommChat Eclectic and vibrant. A solid community of fine #sommeliers making it an oasis of fine wine. Been here for 3 years.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @vinsordinaires Was there an event or person or wine or what inspired you to go into the #wine business? #SommChat

Parag Lalit @vinsordinaires: MS Elyse Lambert has been my biggest mentor to date. Got a lot of exposure in little time with this great lady in the wine world. #SommChat

Douglas Trapasso @demilove: @vinsordinaires @keepercoll - Good morning from the West Loop! Do you work near here? #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Welcome back @demilove to #SommChat - have a #chicago #Somm on for you today!

Parag Lalit @vinsordinaires: Hello, I am in the loop. #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @vinsordinaires where did you work in #wine biz before #chicago and how was it different? #SommChat

Parag Lalit @vinsordinaires: France, Canada, Vietnam and now the U.S. for just over 3 years. 3rd largest city in the U.S., #Chicago has always been a trend setter and demand for quality wine has existed for a long time here. #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @vinsordinaires When did you first become interested in learning about #wine? #SommChat

Parag Lalit @vinsordinaires: The clic happened in France, although Montreal, Canada is where I became really passionate. #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Congrats @vinsordinaires on making a #wine list that has received @WineSpectator award - what would you say you did to get this recognition? #SommChat

Parag Lalit @vinsordinaires: Thank you! Bringing value, vintage depth and most importantly listening to the guests, acquiring more of what they like to enjoy. #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @vinsordinaires how have you seen the #chicago #wine scene change - good and not so good? Do you find it hard to get #wines you want for list?

Parag Lalit @vinsordinaires: #SommChat Strong #Somm community here is a reflection of the many great bev programs that have been curated. Some 150 distributers and auction houses make it psbl to get anything. In the 3 years that I spent in the U.S. Chicago has always stood uptown its grand repiutation #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @vinsordinaires What are some of your favorite parts about working in the #wine industry and do you see it as your long-term career? #SommChat

Parag Lalit @vinsordinaires: Meeting new people and learning their taste preferences based on their culture excites me. Definitely, wine is here to stay. Would love to be a winemaker one day #SommChat

Trump Hotel Chicago @TrumpChicago: If you need taste testers, we’re here for you! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: we are eager to join in as well - just let us know when and we will hop on a plane #SommChat will #travel to #Chicago to taste good #food and #wine with @vinsordinaires

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm how do you decide on how many BTG options U offer on UR #Wine list and how often do they change? how many #Somms on UR team?

Parag Lalit @vinsordinaires: #SommChat 6 - 8. 2 for Rose. Renewing selections every 2 months. Keeping a balance between classic, nerdy. A fairly small team comprised of 2 #Somms

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm do you do staff #wine training and if so, how often and can you share effective processes U have seen to be successful @vinsordinaires

Parag Lalit @vinsordinaires: #SommChat Once a week ideally. Tasting wine, works well for our staff. gives them an opportunity to better absorb the facts but also to shape there own opinion #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @vinsordinaires What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out in the #wine industry? #SommChat

Parag Lalit @vinsordinaires: #SommChat To not start bind tasting on day one! To taste as many different wines as they can in order to understand what they are. Find the right mentor and study the wines as opposed to drinking them. @guildsomm is a great resource. #wine

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Time to wrap up! Hope you enjoyed this hour of #wine talk w/ #Chicago #Sommelier Parag Lalit on @vinsordinaires! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: It was great to have #Chicago #Sommelier Parag Lalit @vinsordinaires join us today for #SommChat. We hope everyone learned as much as we did!

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Please join us in thanking #Chicago #Sommelier Parag Lalit @vinsordinaires for his time teaching us about #wine ! #SommChat