Philipp Reinstaller, hailing from Austria and born in 1993, has made quite a name for himself in the wine world.
His exceptional talents earned him the title of 2024 IWSC/UKSA UK Sommelier of the Year.
Philipp’s journey into the realm of fine wines began after he graduated from high school with a focus on tourism.
In 2013, he took a bold step, moving to Munich to kick off his career at Tantris, a prestigious two-Michelin-star restaurant.
Three years down the line, he found himself in London, where he worked at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal for almost five years.
There, he learned from esteemed sommeliers like Stefan Neumann MS and Vincenzo Arnese.
Climbing the ranks, Philipp eventually became the assistant head sommelier and earned his SSA Master Sake Sommelier certification.
By 2021, he stepped into the role of head sommelier at Trivet, another two-star establishment, all while successfully passing the Master Sommelier Advanced examination that same year.
Fast forward to 2023, Philipp joined the opening team of Raffles London at the OWO, proudly serving as head sommelier alongside Mauro Colagreco.
A FORMATIVE WINE EXPERIENCE
Philipp reflects on a pivotal wine encounter from about a decade ago.
At Miil, a restaurant in Trentino-Alto Adige, he experienced a revelation when he tasted a 1987 Pinot Bianco from Cantina Terlan.
The wine’s incredible freshness and vitality left a lasting impression on him.
DAILY WINE FAVORITES
In the realm of everyday drinking, Philipp has curated an impressive roster of go-to wines.
Among his current favorites are the 2022 Eichberg Sauvignon Blanc from Sattlerhof in Styria, Austria; Kumeu River’s Village Chardonnay from Auckland, New Zealand (2022); the 2023 Strehn Blaufränkisch Rosé from Burgenland, Austria; Thymiopoulos’ 2021 Xinomavro Jeunes Vignes from Naoussa, Greece; and Cosse Maisonneuve’s 2019 Le Combal from Cahors, France.
Each of these selections highlights a unique array of flavors and origins.
Looking for something delightful yet budget-friendly? Philipp recommends the Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2019 from Craggy Range, hailing from Martinborough, New Zealand.
This wine, typically found at Waitrose for around £25, features a fruit-forward profile balanced by refreshing acidity.
One of the more awkward moments in Philipp’s career involved an unintended mishap with a guest’s coat.
While attempting to assist the diner, he inadvertently caused them to partially undress at the dining table, rather than at the entrance—a moment he has certainly not forgotten.
Philipp finds it particularly frustrating when fellow sommeliers create complicated experiences for guests or focus too much on themselves.
He emphasizes the importance of enhancing the dining experience rather than overshadowing it.
If faced with the choice of a final meal, Philipp would skip the wine and opt for something stronger: green chartreuse Tarragona, paired with his beloved Hong Kong-style French toast—a truly indulgent treat.
EXCITING NEW LIST ADDITION
Philipp is thrilled to have recently added Puligny-Montrachet Les Enseignères 2022 from Camille & Guillaume Boillot to his list, noting that it’s their very first vintage and shows great promise.
A standout wine that consistently captures diners’ attention is the Grüner Veltliner Lust Elafonisi 2020 from Austria’s Wagram region, crafted by Clemens and Lukas Strobl.
Its unique characteristics, which include skin contact and extended lees aging, provide guests with an unexpected tasting experience, especially when paired with a dish featuring pumpkin, sage, and monkfish.
Philipp expresses caution when it comes to half-bottles of wine, as they often evolve too quickly for optimal enjoyment.
Instead, he prefers to focus on a broader selection of wines available by the glass.
At present, Philipp is particularly enchanted by Kakheti in Georgia.
After visiting last year, he fell in love with the region’s amber wines, rich traditions, and exceptional hospitality.
For Philipp, balance reigns supreme; he tends to shy away from wines that lack harmony, regardless of the grape or style involved.
Philipp believes that Vinho Verde in Portugal, Naoussa in Greece, and Kakheti in Georgia are currently producing outstanding wines that offer remarkable value.
He also feels that Madeira and Sherry deserve more recognition for their quality and diversity.
If Philipp could design the perfect day in a wine region, it would start with enjoying a bifana and a Super Bock beer at Conga in Porto, followed by a refreshing Port and tonic along the riverside.
He would then explore the scenic Douro Valley, wrapping up the day with seafood rice at O Gaveto, complete with breathtaking views over the Douro River and paired with some aged Niepoort Coche—a fitting finale to a delightful day.
Source: Decanter
