The Ultimate Vancouver Wine Guide: Wooing Clients With Vino

A dozen-plus of the city’s top sommeliers to share their picks with us for some very specific scenarios…including the bottles to bring when you’re entertaining some big clients.

The Situation

You and your Boss are entertaining clients after a big day. The clients are likely—but not for sure—picking up the tab. What under $100 bottle do you order for the table?

Sommeliers Say…

Domini Veneti Verjago Valpolicella ($100) from Italy. Great wine, big and juicy, from Veneto.—Sam Jonnery, Gotham

Christian Moreau “Vaillons” Chablis 1er Cru ($54), because after a big day, we need to quench and refresh with the mouth-watering minerals of a pristine Chablis.—Jason Yamasaki, Joey

Stags’ Leap The Investor 2014 ($73): The price is reasonable, the quality is great, and the subtle messaging is perfect for your business deal.—Colin Ross, Tuc Craft Kitchen

Ridge “Monte Bello” Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 ($97) is my favourite single-vineyard California cabernet at the price; this storied producer and wine will never fail to impress—even in difficult vintages.—Kieran Fanning, Pepino’s

If I’m entertaining clients on behalf of my boss, then I’m going Canadian for sure—but I want to pick something they’ve probably never heard of. Benjamin Bridge Brut ($48) from Nova Scotia is both Canadian and delicious; it’s the finesse of Champagne paired with the terroir of Canada. Pretty skookum, if you ask me!—Mireille Sauvé, Wine Umbrella

Italian wines have such incredible value, and you don’t need to spend much to have something stunning, like Produttori del Barbaresco Nebbiolo di Langhe 2016 ($28). I think the choice of nebbiolo brings sophistication to the experience, and this choice would also be understated enough to show discretion in price point.—Jill Spoor, Fairmont

For the white, a great Loire wine that’s easy to pair with different types of food, like Pascal Cotat Sancerre La Grande Côte 2015 ($63); for red, Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, Stags’ Leap District 2014 ($100).—Sebastien Le Goff, Cactus Club

We’ll be adding to our Ultimate Vancouver Wine Guide over the next few months… follow along with somms’ top picks here!