Are dinner guests scared to bring wine to your house?
Sometimes. Mostly they’re excited to know what I think of their choices.

You’re only 29 years old. Are clients ever patronizing?
You don’t know how many times I’ve heard, “I’ve been drinking wine since before you were born!” They’ve usually been drinking the same wines since before I was born.

On average, how many wines do you taste in a day?
Some days only one; others I’ll taste up to 200. Are Canadian wines a tough sell to international clients? It’s actually easier to sell Canadian wines to international clients than it is to local pessimists. But I always guarantee to take the wine back and replace it with something else if they don’t like it.

What’s the most expensive bottle anyone has ever ordered at Truffles?
A 1982 Château Mouton Rothschild, for $3,125. I’m almost sold out of that vintage.

What do you like to drink at home?
Pinot noir, riesling, and I love sparkling wine. Maybe too much!

Where do you shop for wine?
Often at Vintages, but I buy direct from wineries whenever I visit, and also through private agents.

What would you serve at a party?
Moscato d’asti, a sweet sparkling wine from Italy that’s low in alcohol. It’s a great aperitif; you could serve it with dessert, and it’s also perfect with cured meats and other salty foods.

What are your must-have wine accessories?
A double-hinged corkscrew, a decanter and good glassware—Riedel or Spiegelau. It’s worth the investment. No fancy gadgets.

What wine would you like to try before you die?
The truth is I’ve already tried a lot of people’s dream wines; since I started here, I’ve tasted Yquem, a vertical of Cheval Blanc and a ’61 Latour. They all lived up to my expectations.