@johnszabo

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Welcome to #SommChat everyone! Tell your friends to join us to learn from John Szabo, MS @johnszabo #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): We’d like to introduce you to John Szabo, MS, the 1st MS in Canada, @johnszabo #SommChat #WW #Winelover

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): We’re about ready to dive in w/questions, so shout out to @johnszabo to say hello & so he knows you’re here! #WineWednesday #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Don’t forget that EVERY tweet during this chat should include the #SommChat hashtag in order for everyone to see it! #WineWednesday

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): As we ask @johnszabo our Qs, you can ask John your Qs as well! He’ll do his best to answer all Qs in the order they come #SommChat #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Let’s start talking #wine with @johnszabo #WineWednesday #SommChat #winelover

@johnszabo (John Szabo): So glad to be here on #SommChat keep the questions coming! @KeeperColl

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): @KeeperColl – Congrats on MS achievement! Do you think it was harder to reach this accomplishment in Canada compared to U.S.? – #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): back in 2004 there were no Masters to train w in CND, so it was sort of flying blind @KeeperColl @demilove #SommChat

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @johnszabo @KeeperColl here’s a softball: how’d u get in2 this crazy Somm business? & when did u learn 2 pronounce it correctly? #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): A. @KeeperColl Was a journey of wanting to eat well, so had to learn to cook, then wanted to drink well #SommChat @SirenaDiVino

@johnszabo (John Szabo): so then had to learn about #wine @SirenaDiVino @KeeperColl #SommChat

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @johnszabo anybody who mentored you tho? #SommChat @KeeperColl

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Had a group of Somms here in CAN, then spent a couple days in Vegas @SirenaDiVino @KeeperColl #SommChat

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @johnszabo @KeeperColl parents still don’t exactly get what I do, or how it’s a career. They think I’m a glorified server #SommChat

@RachelVoorhees (Rachel Voorhees): @johnszabo I am taking the Cert Somm exam next week. What is your biggest piece of advice for me for the service part? @KeeperColl #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Practice a million times; nerves cause tunnel vision and u revert 2 auto reactions -has 2 b 2nd nature @RachelVoorhees @KeeperColl #SommChat

@RachelVoorhees (Rachel Voorhees): @johnszabo Thanks! You should see my stock of bubbles! I open, pour & practice daily! #SommChat

@hungrywino (Jake Lewis): @johnszabo How much has changed in CND since ’04 in the wine scene? #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): # of wineries doubled, quality tripled, far out places like #Nova Scotia & #Québec R on map- brand new world! #SommChat@hungrywino #SommChat

@drooln (Nathan Yap): @johnszabo What would you say was the most difficult part of studying on your path to passing any level of the Court? #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Developing memory reference of wine styles around the world – the rest is juts practice, reading, memorization @drooln #SommChat

@hungrywino (Jake Lewis): @johnszabo Great! These new wineries and those of Niagara going to be making a bigger impression on the world stage? @KeeperColl #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Already making waves, breaking into export markets – cool climates r hot! @hungrywino @KeeperColl #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @johnszabo Excited 2 hear U R on #Niagara Peninsula Panel @TexSom @FSDallas, Aug 11-13. One small preview item on this? #SommChat #WW

@johnszabo (John Szabo): A. @KeeperColl Looking forward to Wayne Belding’s Kimmeridgian tasting (love my chalk, he’s a geologist) @TexSom #SommChat #WW @FSDallas

@johnszabo (John Szabo): A. @KeeperColl @TexSom-Tim, Laura, Paul, & Keith on #Riesling #Can’tmiss & Guy on Texas, home boy! #SommChat #WineWednesday #Niagara

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): @johnszabo Love ur tasting approach: analyze wines but not “like or dislike” . How do u account 4 individual style preference? #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Style preferences r inevitable, and shouldn’t be avoided. Keeps diversity alive @CaravelleChamp #SommChat

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @johnszabo @KeeperColl any views on the place of native CAN wine on the US & worldwide stage? What would you like to see change? #SommChat

@johnszabo(John Szabo): Gain >confidence in terroir

@rogcowines (Rogers & Company): @johnszabo What are your first considerations when building /refreshing a wine list? Do you have preferred styles? @KeeperColl #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Clientele, cuisine, staff knowledge, location, storage capacity; it’s not about my preferred styles @rogcowines @KeeperColl #SommChat

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): @KeeperColl – Spanish tasting tonight; my wine group often gets stumped on Tempranillo, what are your common markers 4 this grape? #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Depends from where, but gen plush tannin, dark/black fruit, M+ acidity @KeeperColl @demilove #SommChat

@drunken_somm (James Rahn): @johnszabo If Niagara is to get behind one red varietal, what do you think it should be? #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Niagara: cabernet franc & PN; Prince Edward County: PN @drunken_somm #SommChat

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @johnszabo @KeeperColl what’s the one CAN wine you wish people would drink more of, or give it a chance? #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): chardonnay – it’s cool again, especially from this cool climate; loads of terroir character @SirenaDiVino @KeeperColl #SommChat

@dorianandrewes (Dorian Andrewes): yes it is! @coolchardonnay @johnszabo: chardonnay-it’s cool again, especially from this cool climate; loads of terroir character #SommChat

@MagRahn (Magdalena Rahn): @JohnSzabo – what would be some of the most marked regional #wine preference differences among the provinces? #Canada #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): BC is very West Coast NW, Québec Euro-focused, in Ontario we swing both ways! @MagRahn #wine #Canada #SommChat

@hungrywino (Jake Lewis): @johnszabo What projects are you working on now? @KeeperColl #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): writing:@WineAlign, @TorontoStandard, cnsltg @TrumpToronto, gr8 new F&B project at TO Intl airport…@hungrywino @KeeperColl #SommChat

@scottweisbrod (Scott Weisbrod): @johnszabo What are some best value Ontario wines sub-$15? #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Tough 2 beat Niagara Riesling at that price some superb wines around $10-$12 @scottweisbrod #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black): Tempranillo markers @johnszabo: Depends from where, but gen plush tannin, dark/black fruit, M+ acidity @KeeperColl @demilove #SommChat #WW

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @johnszabo @KeeperColl wow, interesting! b/c if there is anything I’m super picky about, it’s Chard. 1 particular to try? #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Hard 2 pick 1.. Try Norm Hardie ’10 PEC chard, Tawse ’09 Quarry Road, or just come to @Texsom 4 more @SirenaDiVino @KeeperColl #SommChat

@drunken_somm (James Rahn): @johnszabo When I was last in Niagara I thought the Gamay Noir outshined near every Pinot Noir. Any future there? #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Potential very good if not top, but not taken seriously enough by either wineries or consumers to break thru @drunken_somm #SommChat

@snipit (Snip.it): @johnszabo @sirenadivino @KeeperColl I heard some wines have unhealthy chemicals added. True? How can one avoid these bottles #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Nothing dangerous in wine, but 4 less ‘adjusted’ look 4 organic or biodynamic cert; trust ur somm @snipit @sirenadivino @KeeperColl #SommChat

@MagRahn (Magdalena Rahn): @JohnSzabo Where do you see French wines in Canada? Increasing, decreasing, steady popularity? (regions, price range…?) Tx! #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Will always have a place; currently steady, but with room to recapture some market share. Still a reference @MagRahn #SommChat

@hungrywino (Jake Lewis): @johnszabo I’ve seen your articles – good stuff. Busy man. Do you have to make an effort to keep up to date? @KeeperColl #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Thanks. Sort of immersed in the stuff so not much effort per se – tho still love 2 learn, always more @hungrywino @KeeperColl #SommChat

@TEXSOM (TEXSOM): Don’t miss @johnszabo either “Niagara & Beyond” “@johnszabo: Don’t miss Paul Grieco (ex-pat CND), also at #Texsom @ONEHOPEWINE #SommChat”

@UBIWineSpirit (UBIFRANCEWine&Spirit): @johnszabo #SommChat What region(s)/sub regions are producing the best wines in your opinion? What varieities work best in Canada?

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Niagara Peninsula: chard, PN, cab franc, riesling @UBIWineSpirit #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Prince Edward County: chard, PN @UBIWineSpirit #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): BC: syrah, red blends, aromatic whites, riesling in the north Okanagan @UBIWineSpirit #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Nova Scotia: brilliant sparkling, and some white hybrids – yes it’s true @UBIWineSpirit #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Québec: Iced apple cider @UBIWineSpirit #SommChat

@ONEHOPEWINE (ONEHOPE Wine): @TEXSOM thanks for the info. We’ll be in TX in October pouring wines at ACL. Will have to do a whole #texsom tasting! #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @ONEHOPEWINE We are based in Austin! Give us a shout-out to let us know your schedule! #SommChat

@ONEHOPEWINE (ONEHOPE Wine): @KeeperColl YES of course! Can’t wait! #SommChat

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): awesome info-packed #SommChat today with @johnszabo cc @KeeperColl Still 25 min to go

@IMBIBEandSAVOUR (Gloria Chang): @johnszabo @caravellechamp Has a wine ever made you cry from awe inducing-ness? #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Not since last night – I’m very emotional about wines that taste like somewhere… @IMBIBEandSAVOUR @caravellechamp #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @johnszabo RT @demilove: – What’s latest news on inter-province wine shipping in Canada, did I read it just became easier? – #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): You won’t go to jail now for crossing the border w/ wine, but still some road to make #freemygrapes @KeeperColl @demilove #SommChat

@drooln (Nathan Yap): @johnszabo what are some of the sparkling wines that I should seek out from Canada? #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Benjamin Bridge in Nova Scotia will cause an Intl sensation within a decade @drooln #SommChat

@drooln (Nathan Yap): @johnszabo looking forward to getting my hands on some! #SommChat

@hungrywino (Jake Lewis): @johnszabo can’t stop learning. With growth in CND wine scene do you find that there is a thirst for public education? @KeeperColl #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Unquenchable thirst, thankfully. Keeps me busy @hungrywino @KeeperColl #SommChat

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @KeeperColl @Johnszabo no thinking, just react – coolest/most exciting thing to happen to wine in the last year? #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Awareness of ‘natural’ wine – silly bickering but gr8 for the industry overall @SirenaDiVino @KeeperColl #SommChat

@raelinn_wine (Raelinn_wine): #SommChat is off the hook today!! @johnszabo rockin the questions! Cc: @KeeperColl I’m tweeting for @UBIWineSpirit join us!

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @johnszabo Heard you are the official “palate” for #Sommelier Service @sommserve Tell us more about this! #WW #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): A. @KeeperColl I buy #wine 4 several clubs-it’s brilliant. #SommChat #Wine Wednesday @sommserve #Sommelier #WW

@johnszabo (John Szabo): A. @KeeperColl I just take whatever I’d put in my cellar & share w several thousand friends! #SommChat #WW #WineLover @sommserve #Sommelier

@IMBIBEandSAVOUR (Gloria Chang): @johnszabo Which wine was that and what told you it was from its place? #SommChat

@UBIWineSpirit (UBIFRANCEWine&Spirit): @johnszabo VERY exciting about the sparkling! in Nova Scotia! cc: @CaravelleChamp #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @johnszabo What top 3 qualities do you look for in a #wine? Which is most important to you and why? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): A. @KeeperColl Place, place, place. Place matters most. #SommChat #WineWednesday #wine #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): A. @KeeperColl No artifice, no interference, just distinctive regional character. Despise oak flav #SommChat #WW #wine #WineWednesday

@hungrywino (Jake Lewis): @johnszabo Don’t you have some vineyards in Hungary? How’re they doing this year and what are you producing? @KeeperColl #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Yes, I grow Kékfrankos in Eger @BlueDanubeWine , and working on a dry qvevri furmint project in Tokaj @hungrywino @KeeperColl #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black): @johnszabo: On your blog, you recommended Niagara Pinot Gris. I’m getting sense that Niagara parallels Alsace? #SommChat #WW

@johnszabo (John Szabo): BC is more the Alsace of Canada, But ON makes some nifty examples too @enjoielife #SommChat #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @johnszabo Current favorite #food and #wine pairing for the summer? #WineWednesday #SommChat #Winelover

@johnszabo (John Szabo): A. @KeeperColl #Santorini & octopus, #Furmint & friends! #food #wine #WineWednesday #SommChat #Winelover

@enjoielife (Judia Black): A. @KeeperColl #Santorini & octopus, #Furmint & friends! @JohnSzabo Sounds great! #food #wine #WineWednesday #SommChat #Winelover -

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @johnszabo #1 piece of advice for aspiring #Sommeliers? #WineWednesday #SommChat #winelover

@johnszabo (John Szabo): A.@KeeperColl Don’t expect anything for a long time. Earn credibility, never compromise, integrity is everything. #Sommeliers #WW #SommChat

@raelinn_wine (Raelinn_wine): Great advice! RT @johnszabo: Don’t expect anything for a long time. Earn credibility, never compromise, integrity is everything. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @johnszabo Hotseat question – Favorite #wine region in the world? #WineWednesday #SommChat #winelover

@johnszabo (John Szabo): A. @KeeperColl Really? Ok, I’ll play. I like volcanoes, or rather, the grapes that grow on them. #wine #WineWednesday #SommChat #winelover

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @johnszabo @KeeperColl HA! Love that #SommChat #LavaGrapes

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @johnszabo Did you start your #wine career with the intention to become an MS or a #wine writer-or neither!? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @KeeperColl @johnszabo would love to know the answer to this! #CareerIntentions #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): A. @KeeperColl Had never heard of MS when I started; wanted to cook and own a resto. That changed quickly #wine #WineWednesday #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): A @KeeperColl Fixed goals are positive but in this biz, constantly evolving & new opportunities arise all the time #flexibility!#SommChat

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @johnszabo @KeeperColl what made it change from owning a resto? #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Way too much work! Love cooking, but 4 friends & family better @SirenaDiVino @KeeperColl #SommChat

@snipit (Snip.it): @johnszabo @KeeperColl Do you still cook often? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Time to wrap up! Hope you enjoyed this hour of #wine talk with John Szabo, MS @johnszabo #WineWednesday #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): It was great to have @johnszabo join us today for #SommChat. We hope everyone learned as much as we did! #WineWednesday #winelover

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Please join us in thanking @johnszabo for his time #SommChat #Wine Wednesday #winelover

@AdamPlotkin (Adam Plotkin): @KeeperColl @johnszabo Thanks to you both! Superb info! #SommChat

@hungrywino (Jake Lewis): Thanks @johnszabo, looking forward to @TEXSOM! @KeeperColl #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): If any1 missed some of the chat today, remember we’ll post an archive soon to http://bit.ly/ikBrJx for you to review later #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): Great questions – thanks to all! Keep the wine love alive @KeeperColl #SommChat #Wine #winelover

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Are you ready to have an hour of #Champagne on #SommChat? Time to hear about our beloved bubbles next #Wine Wednesday.

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): #SommChat Wed 06.20 at 11 AM CST Kathy Morgan, MS @kathymorganMS will be our featured guest to answer all of your #Champagne questions! #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): If u want to be 100% sure ur #SommChat Q for @kathymorganms gets answered, post it to FB! http://on.fb.me/hjQDBL Happy #WW!

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Keep in the loop for upcoming guests & archives & sign up for our email list at http://bit.ly/vm1gQ4 #SommChat

@ONEHOPEWINE (ONEHOPE Wine): Thanks @johnszabo @KeeperColl et al on #SommChat for the great warm up for #fwclassic this weekend! cheers!

@UBIWineSpirit (UBIFRANCEWine&Spirit): @KeeperColl @johnszabo Thanks for a GREAT #SommChat! I’m so glad I could make it today. Learned a LOT! Cheers! – Raelinn

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @KeeperColl @johnszabo Thank you so much Master Szabo for your valuable time and knowledge! It was a blast! #SommChat

@johnszabo (John Szabo): We prefer to drop the “Master” these days, just folks who like wine, a lot… thanks 4 ur Qs @SirenaDiVino @KeeperColl #SommChat

@donajilira (Donaji Lira): Yay, a champagne lunch! “@KeeperColl: Ready to have an hour of #Champagne on #SommChat? Hear about beloved bubbles next #Wine Wednesday.