@ivanovstl

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: check me out on #sommchat in 20 minutes as I speak with @keepercoll about the happenings of the wine world!

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Welcome 2 #SommChat! join 2 talk #wine/ Adv #Somm Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl, Ntnl Wholesale Dir @blisswineimports & Bvrg Dir @reedsstl

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: We’d like 2 introduce you to / Adv #Somm Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl #SommChat #WW

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Abt ready 2 dive in w/ ?s, so S/O 2 / Adv #Somm Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl & say hello so he knows UR here! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Don’t forget to include #SommChat on EVERY tweet in order 4 every1 2 C see it! #WineWednesday

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Let’s start talking #Champagnew/ Adv #Somm Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl on #SommChat

Sandy Wasserman CS @SandyWasserman: Good morning @ivanovstl how did you get your start in the wine business & who are your mentors? Thanks #sommchat

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovst: #sommchat Hi Sandy! I started by working in the restaurant industry full time through HS and college. My degree was Int'l Business...

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: Replying to @SandyWasserman

#sommchat and Economics, but I wanted to go into sales. It was 2008, terrible time for sales jobs, so I looked at becoming a somm…

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat best decision I ever made. My mentors include my tasting group here in STL and MS Doug Frost, Matt Stamp, @gkruth

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: love seeing former #SommChat guests @winedogboy @gkruth and @Sommambulism named as mentors by current guest @ivanovstl

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Gr8 to see you @SandyWasserman on #SommChat look forward to your question for @ivanovstl of @BlissWineImport

Sandy Wasserman CS @SandyWasserman: Q @ivanovstl what wines & regions are you excited about recently #sommchat

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: Replying to @SandyWasserman

#sommchat right now... Portugal and South Africa. Specifically, the wines from @ChrisAlheit and @SadieFamilyWine, @QuintaZaralhoa in POR...

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm how are the #wines selected @BlissWineImport and do you have any input into the selection process @ivanovstl ?

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat Rigorous amount of tasting and comparison within each style and region. @BlissWineImport tries to represent each region…

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat with something unique and true to its style and identity now or in the past. I do have a lot of input into what gets chosen...

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat @BlissWineImport and I collaborate on all selections to the portfolio. Sometimes only one of us travels there, but we stay in...

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat touch throughout all our travels. In the end: small, organic, true to appellation, with a good heart and love of wine...

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat these are our criteria. We just picked up another great new producer in the Tejo region of Portugal... stay tuned for details!

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: @ivanovstl when did you start working at @BlissWineImport and how would you describe your position? #SommChat

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat I kind of fell into it serendipitously. I was on a research trip through Portugal at Quinta da Boa Vista and wanted to get wines..

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat for my restaurant list in STL. Joao Tavares de Pina put me in contact with @BlissWineImport and I became their 1st restaurant...

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat account. I then wanted to try to explore the wine world from multiple tiers so I offered to help @BlissWineImport launch Texas...

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat It has become a great learning opportunity and has opened an incredible amount of doors to the wine world.

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat My position is to be the liason between us and our distributor partners. My territory is CA, TX, IL, NC, KS, and growing!

Douglas Trapasso @demilove: Do you ever visit Chicago? I'd love to taste with you sometime! - #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Nice to see you back on #SommChat @demilove and good qs - keep them coming for @ivanonstl

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat. As much as I can, will be there for the Spanish Godello masterclass with @StevenStarr25 on 4/24 actually and through 4/27

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Q fr shy #SommChat Peep: can you suggest some affordable #wines for a beginner interested in learning #wine @ivanovstl

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat absolutely! I would try starting in #winesofAustralia. These wines are great for everyone, lots of diversity, and not too $$$...

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat try @kilikanoonwines, @Yangarra or @darenbergwine. Also, there is a lot of really cool stuff in Margaret River too!

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: .@ivanovstl Do you or the #Somm team work w/ #chefs at Reeds American Table @reedsstl to come up with #wineandfood pairings? ? #SommChat

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat We all get to taste the dishes, but I think pairing is something more individual. We run it past each other, but there is no set..

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat this is the only pairing for pork belly. It's something I try to communicate to our guests as well, there are many choices for...

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat every dish, we often have a cocktail, beer, non-alc, or wine pairing available for each plate. It allows us to catch a broader...

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat audience. I think it is important to elevate all beverage to the pairing table, not just wine, sometimes a sour beer is better 😀

Charles Comm PR @CharlesComm: Q @ivanovstl How do you see the wine industry evolving in the next 10 years? #SommChat @keepercoll

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Gr8 question @CharlesComm and always good to have you on #SommChat

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat less emphasis on "the tried and true". The millenial generation is more excited about finding new and exciting sources for wine…

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat I think it will drive the somm community to seek out great wines from everywhere and at all price points, kind of what we do at...

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat at @BlissWineImport . This doesn't mean the classics are falling off. Bordeaux and Napa still make incredible wines, but they...

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat won't necessarily command the proportion of the list they once did. I think it will force the retailers and restaurants to look..

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: Replying to @CharlesComm @keepercoll

#sommchat harder at places like Portugal, Greece, Austria, Chile, etc...

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat I also think that there will be an even larger presence in online retail. So much choice and information is available now.

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: @ivanovstl What advice would you give someone hoping to enter the #wine industry? #SommChat

Douglas Trapasso @demilove: @keepercoll - Weird but serious Q-I have abstained from wine for Lent and also to rest palate, what should I try first on Easter? #SommChat

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat Bubbles! It's always the great starting point for me. Then try out rose, there is a lot of great stuff coming in...

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm are you using #Socialmedia w/ UR work @BlissWineImport and if so how and if not why not @ivanovstl

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat I am very lucky to have Alleah and Erin to take on a large chunk of social media. We also offer a free social media support...

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat package to anyone working with our wines. It allows us to cross promote, to keep our wineries engaged with our partners, to help..

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat restaurants with something that is very time consuming. For anyone that would like to take advantage of it, please contact us...

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat all it takes is liking our page on FB, and becoming friends with Alleah and I. We write posts, boost them, target them...

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl; #sommchat all to make sure that the social media world knows where our wines are and in whose capable hands they are in.

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: @ivanovstl What do you enjoy drinking other than #wine? #SommChat

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat We are getting out of whiskey season and into gin! @NatashaBahrami at the Gin Room in St. Louis has me covered there!

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat also, I am getting more and more into cider with each passing warm day! Try the Querry Cider from @BonnyDoonVineyd!

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm what is the biggest diff. working on import side vs resto side @ivanovstl

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat You really see what it takes to succeed in the business side of this industry. Not as glamorous, tons of hard work. Makes me...

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat appreciate the work distributors do that much more. Not everyone gets to sell only wines they love, on both sides of the table..

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat The realities of making a business work day to day is much more obvious that sometimes in the restaurant. Makes me a better BD...

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat The restaurant side is a lot more fun, and I think that is a big reason I'm still on the floor. It allows me the ability to see...

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #Sommchat the big picture of the wine world. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of fun in the import game too... just less instant gratif...

Alleah at Bliss Wine @BlissWineImport: LOL

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Time to wrap up! Hope U enjoyed Adv #Somm Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl, Ntnl Wholesale Dir @blisswineimports & Bvrg Dir @reedsstl on #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Great to have Adv #Somm Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl join us today for #SommChat. We hope everyone learned as much as we did! #ww

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Please join us N thanking Adv #Somm @ivanovstl, Ntnl Wholesale Dir @blisswineimports & Bvrg Dir @reedsstl 4 his time on #SommChat

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat Thanks to everyone for the great questions and this awesome opportunity to speak with you about my jobs. It is always a pleasure..

Andrey Ivanov @ivanovstl: #sommchat to be a part of this awesome community and as always thank you to @keepercoll , @BlissWineImport , and @Reeds_STL for this chance.